"Chicago Fire" Casts Miranda Rae Mayo as New Firefighter
by Nellie Andreeva
January 18, 2016


Firehouse 51 is adding some female bonding. Miranda Rae Mayo (Pretty Little Liars, Blood & Oil) has joined the cast of "Chicago Fire" in a major recurring role that could potentially become a regular.

Mayo will play Stella Kidd, a fun, bawdy, tough, physical and brazen firefighter joining Firehouse 51 who is funny, sharp as a tack and fearless. With her on board, Dawson (Monica Raymund) will no longer be the only female firefighter on the truck.

While this is rare, I hear the producers drew inspiration from real-life firehouses that have featured two female firefighters.

http://deadline.com/2016/01/chicago-fire-miranda-rae-mayo-cast-firefighter-nbc-1201685558/

"Chicago Fire" Promotes Miranda Rae Mayo to Series Regular for Season 5
by Kate Stanhope
5/25/16


"Chicago Fire" fans can expect to see a lot more of Stella Kidd in season five. Miranda Rae Mayo, who plays the tough-talking firefighter, has been promoted to series regular on the NBC drama, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

Mayo made her debut back in February as a new member of Firehouse 51 who had history with both Dawson (Monica Raymund) and Severide (Taylor Kinney). After Severide had tried to make a move in the past, he and Stella took their relationship to the next level in the final episodes of season four after she parted ways with her erratic husband, Grant (Guy Burnet).





However, the season finale ended on a huge cliffhanger for the pair when Grant entered Stella's apartment and grabbed a knife while she and Severide were getting intimate in the next room.

Showrunner Matt Olmstead made it clear that Stella, and subsequently Rayo, would play a big role in season five of the series. "It all leads towards to Severide and Kidd having to take a break," he told THR of the cliffhanger. "But, all the while, hopefully convincing the audience, as we're convinced, that they're really made for each other."



Keeping another female firefighter on board also makes sense, given that Olmstead hinted that Dawson may consider returning to her previous post as a paramedic now that she is a foster mom.

"Does that inform a decision, potentially for her to look over at ambo, a place where she used to be, which is a little bit safer? Potentially," he said.




"Chicago Fire" will return in the fall for season five.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/chicago-fire-miranda-rae-mayo-897197