Friend or Foe: The *Real* Deal About Chicago Fire’s Mysterious New Paramedic
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Another paramedic ended up being a spy for the CFD, it’s understandable why fans are curious about Lyla Novak on Chicago Fire and whether she could be harboring a similar secret to hurt Firehouse 51.
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What’s wrong with Lyla Novak on Chicago Fire?
Novak, a new paramedic at Firehouse 51, joined Chicago Fire in Season 12, Episode 9, following former paramedic Sylvie Brett’s exit earlier in the season. Unlike her predecessor — paramedic Jared Lennox, who was fired by Chief Wallace Boden for being a spy for Paramedic Chief Jude Robinson — Novak seemed to fit in well with Firehouse 51, especially her paramedic partner, Violet Mikami.
That seemed to change in Season 12, Episode 12, “Under Pressure,” which sees Novak and Mikami butt heads after Lennox’s unexpected return. “Violet has definitely had to step up in multiple ways as PIC, especially when it comes to dealing with Lennox and Novak,” Newman told TV Insider before the episode aired. “In terms of Chief Robinson, we always find the best adversaries are the ones who also make a good point and aren’t completely in the wrong. With Robinson’s mantra of accountability and her righteousness, there are some ways that she and Violet are actually alike, which only makes it trickier (and more fun!) to navigate that combustible relationship. And Lennox will play a big role in that.”
Newman also hinted that Novak has a secret much like Firehouse 51’s new firefighter, Jack Damon (played by Michael Bradway), who fans also suspect to be a spy. The most popular fan theory is that Novak is a former police officer or was in the military based on her experience with using a gun earlier in Season 11. “My question is, where tf did she get the experience needed to decommission a live gun that fast? Was she a cop? Was her dad a hunter, or what?” a Reddit user wrote in a thread in April 2024.
Another user added, “I think the most common guess during that episode’s discussion thread was that she had experience in the military. That would (in my opinion) account for her ability to dismantle the gun quickly.” One more user wrote, “Maybe in the next few episode we will know more about her. My best guess is her father or a relative was a cop/military and she was taught how to use and disassemble a gun since it’s Chicago.”
News broke of Hudon’s role in Chicago Fire in March 2024. Deadline reported at the time that Hudon had been cast in a recurring role with a series regular option based on how the audience’s reception to her character, among other factors. While her recurring role status could indicate that Novak’s storyline will be limited to one arc, possibly around the secret over her background, there have been several One Chicago cast members over the years — such as Chicago P.D.‘s Tracy Spiridakos/Hailey Upton and Chicago Fire‘s very own Miranda Rae Mayo/Stella Kidd — who started in recurring roles.
Chicago Fire is available to stream on Peacock.
Watch ‘Chicago Fire’ on Peacock
For more on Chicago Fire, check out where former cast members like Monica Raymund and Jesse Spencer are now.
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