One Chicago Podcast: Hanako Greensmith & Jocelyn Hudon (Violet Mikami & Lizzy Novak on Chicago Fire)

Date: November 13, 2025
Host: Brian Lucci (Producer, former Chicago cop)
Guests: Hanako Greensmith (Violet Mikami), Jocelyn Hudon (Lizzy Novak)

Episode Overview

In this lively episode of the One Chicago Podcast, host Brian Lucci sits down with Chicago Fire stars Hanako Greensmith and Jocelyn Hudon. The duo, who play beloved paramedic partners Violet Mikami and Lizzy Novak on the show, dive deep into their journeys joining the cast, their on-screen and off-screen chemistry, favorite moments, personal backgrounds, and dreams for their characters. Listeners get a rare peek into the camaraderie among the cast, their unique experiences behind the scenes, and what makes the world of Chicago Fire resonate so strongly with fans.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The On-Screen & Off-Screen Chemistry ([05:07]–[06:05]; [32:21])

• Brian highlights the "undeniable chemistry" between Hanako and Jocelyn, noting how fans have increasingly responded to their dynamic as Ambo 61's paramedics.
• Jocelyn claims their chemistry "solidified" during a moment on the show where their characters refuse to abandon each other, and in real life, during their chemistry read for casting.
  • "I remember Hanako was there, and I just kept looking at her, and she was like, 'Yeah.' And I was like, 'All right.'" – Jocelyn ([07:24])
• Hanako recalls Jocelyn cursing during her final test— “oh, shit balls”—making them both laugh and breaking the tension, setting the tone for their friendship ([32:47]).

2. Getting Cast & Becoming Series Regulars ([06:14]–[08:33])

• Hanako started as a guest star in 2019, originally playing Gallo's girlfriend and a paramedic at another house, before returning multiple times and eventually being made a series regular in Season 10.
• Jocelyn auditioned for Novak, recalling a "nerve wracking" chemistry read, eventually joining as a recurring guest star with hopes of being picked up full time.
  • “Every scene I was like, don’t mess up. I was basically pooping myself for all of season.” – Jocelyn ([08:33])

3. Integrating into the Established Cast ([09:00]–[11:25])

• Both describe joining such a long-running, tight-knit team as intimidating yet rewarding.
• Hanako praises Kara and Michelle (previous paramedics) for supporting her, especially when she was new—"I was just a visitor, hoping I don’t mess up" ([09:36]).
• Jocelyn says she tried not to upset the group dynamic: "They've been here for so long...they all know what they're doing. Everyone's so funny. I just basically tried not to mess up the whole time. Still trying." ([09:00])

4. Learning from Cast Veterans ([12:33]–[15:47])

• Both actresses credit key castmates for inspiration:
  • Jocelyn: “Christian Stolti. Just acting-wise and also just as a human being. I have to read more. He’s amazing.” ([12:57])
  • Hanako: “Eamonn Walker. He’s just a legend. He knows how to stand in his power… he’s very generous.” ([14:16])
• The cast’s mentorship ethos is evident, with Brian noting the way “people just, like, look out for each other.”

5. Behind-the-Scenes Help & “Med Craft” ([17:29]–[19:27])

• Hanako says Jocelyn “locked in really hard, really fast” and didn’t need much help adjusting.
• Jocelyn credits Hanako’s ability to communicate subtly on set—"Sometimes I would just look at her, and she's like...I'm like, okay, got it," referencing learning staging and procedural moments ([18:30]).

6. Most Intense / Iconic Scene Together ([19:33]–[20:38])

• Both agree the C-section scene stands out as their most memorable and tension-filled shared moment.
  • "It almost ran like a play...10 pages of material." – Hanako ([19:55])
• On practical filming: “Hanako’s like, opening a uterus and there’s like a real baby that’s covered in yogurt and jam. I’m like, why does the baby smell delicious?” – Jocelyn ([20:27])

7. Their Characters’ Backstories ([24:38]–[25:36])

• Jocelyn hints at Novak’s hidden traumas, particularly around family loss and slow-burning reveals of her background.
• Hanako says Violet’s past hasn’t been fully explored on the show, except hints that “her family probably expected or wanted more for her...like being a nurse or doctor” ([25:36]).
• Hanako shares her real parents are musicians and wanted her to avoid the risks of acting ([25:59]).

8. Favorite Things About Chicago ([27:11]–[27:54])

• Hanako: “There's a true grit that comes with this city...different neighborhoods...architecture is beautiful, etc.”
• Jocelyn: “The food. They have a great culinary scene here.”

9. How Much of Themselves is in Their Characters ([27:45]–[29:00])

• Hanako estimates: “70%” herself in Violet ([27:48]).
• Jocelyn: “I'd say like 90.” Hanako playfully corrects her to 75–80%, noting Novak is “maybe quite as chaotic as Lizzie was six years ago.”

10. Defining Scenes & Motivations ([29:35]–[31:20])

• Jocelyn selects a formative ambulance scene: “There are perks to being a floater...but being here and getting attached...hitting a little too hard, which is exactly what I was trying to avoid.”
• Hanako recalls when Violet "absolutely yells at a bystander," representing her integrity ([30:40]).

11. Favorite/Most Meaningful Love Interests ([31:20]–[32:08])

• Hanako: “The Prince Charming of it all, Hawkins.” She felt his arc was hard to live up to for Violet’s future partners.
• Jocelyn teases an undisclosed "current love interest.”

12. Platonic Chemistry ([32:21]–[33:22])

• Both praise their genuine friendship off-screen as the root of the show’s “friend love stories” – “I think because we're actually friends in real life, so it's not forced or put on.” – Jocelyn

13. Fun Behind-the-Scenes Stories ([33:35]–[34:07])

• The cast frequently gathers for outings; recent example—a trip to Christian Stolti’s Indiana home. Miranda, Tony, Jocelyn even went swimming in October!

14. Professional Praise for Each Other ([34:10]–[35:14])

• Jocelyn lauds Hanako’s seriousness without being unlikable: “Even with you yelling at the bystander...never comes off as unlikable.”
• Hanako admires Jocelyn’s subtlety: “You're never overplaying it...I'm always able to tell there's a lot going on behind whatever it is that you're saying.”

15. Dream Episodes & What’s Coming Up ([35:27]–[37:29])

• Jocelyn dreams of a dramatic frozen lake rescue. Hanako wants a hostage situation involving both characters (“We could get PD involved!”).
• Hanako: This season, Violet is “the most at peace I have seen her,” focused more on her work.
• Jocelyn: Excited about Novak’s development, including a Taekwondo scene and "love interest stuff."

16. Lightning Round: Rapid-Fire Fun ([37:32]–[41:19])

• “Marry/Fire/Hose”: Jocelyn would “marry Violet, hose David.”
• Crossover dreams: Jocelyn wants Benson, Rollins, and Carisi (Law & Order: SVU); Hanako picks Missy Peregrym (FBI).
• Which character to run into a burning building with? Hanako chooses David Eigenberg (“he’s scrappy, he would put his life down the line for anybody”), Jocelyn says Brandon would be the best actual firefighter after training.
• Vacation pick: Both pick Miranda.
• Trade places with: Jocelyn, Chief Dermot; Hanako, Miranda (“I’d love to try it for a day”).

Memorable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• “I was a paramedic at another house...I was just a visitor. Like, I just hope I don't mess up and whatever. This is crazy. I've never gotten to be on a set this big.” – Hanako ([09:36])
• “This is just such a dream to have gotten this job. I call it, like, my unicorn job. I'm like, there's only going to be one of these, and I'm just going to stay here as long as they'll allow me to be here.” – Jocelyn ([10:35])
• “Christian Stolti. Just acting wise, and also just as a human being. I'm like, I have to read more…He’s amazing.” – Jocelyn ([12:57])
• “Eamonn Walker…He gives you that power…It's a great masterclass to work with him.” – Hanako ([14:20])
• “Sometimes I would just look at her, and she's like…I'm like, okay, got it.” – Jocelyn, on learning set craft from Hanako ([18:30])
• “Opening a uterus and there's like a real baby that's covered in yogurt and jam. And I'm like, why does the baby smell delicious?” – Jocelyn ([20:27])
• “Probably a decent amount by this point. I'd say, like 70%.” – Hanako on how much of Violet is her ([27:48])
• “There are perks to being a floater...But being here and getting attached, it's… just hitting a little too hard, which is exactly what I was trying to avoid.” – Jocelyn as Novak ([29:47])
• “Even with you yelling at the bystander...it doesn't come off as unlikable, which is really, really hard to do.” – Jocelyn to Hanako ([34:27])
• “You're never overplaying it. I'm always able to tell there's a lot going on behind whatever it is that you're saying.” – Hanako to Jocelyn ([35:07])
• “...What I learned from Hanako in regards to becoming a paramedic I think sometimes. Sometimes I would just look at her…it's never condescending or anything...they're like, really calm when they respond to emergencies.” – Jocelyn ([18:30])
• “Honestly, Jocelyn is so – no, you do subtlety so well. You're never overplaying it. I have never experienced you overplay a moment..." – Hanako ([34:47])

Notable Moments and Fun Facts

• Real Film Details: The C-section scene was so intense it felt like performing a play, with a real baby on set masked in yogurt and jam as newborn effects ([20:27]).
• Hidden Talents: Hanako's parents are musicians (cellist and violinist); she can sing (studied musical theater) ([25:59]), while Jocelyn started as a ballet dancer ([26:32]).
• Genuine Camaraderie: The cast regularly meets up off-set, including lake swims in Indiana during October cold ([33:43]).
• Lightning Round Laughs: If she could, Jocelyn would "marry Violet"; Hanako says she'd rescue David Eigenberg from a fire any day ([38:24], [39:33]).
• Dreamscapes: Hanako wants a Violet–Novak hostage drama with a Chicago P.D. crossover ([35:59]), Jocelyn is still lobbying for a daring winter water rescue ([35:32]).

Important Timestamps

• [05:07] - Chemistry between Hanako & Jocelyn discussed
• [06:14] - How Hanako joined the show
• [07:24] - Jocelyn’s casting experience
• [09:36] - Integrating into the cast & initial nerves
• [12:57] - Most inspirational cast members
• [18:30] - On-set help and learning “med craft”
• [19:33] - The famous C-section scene
• [24:38] - Character backstories revealed
• [27:48] - How much of themselves in their roles
• [29:47] - Defining character scenes
• [31:20] - Favorite love interests
• [32:21] - Platonic on- and off-screen chemistry
• [33:43] - Behind-the-scenes cast outings
• [34:27] - Professional praise and acting strengths
• [35:27] - Dream episodes and season teases
• [37:32] - Lightning round Q&A begins
• [39:33] - Who’d run into a burning building with?
• [40:03] - Who to vacation with?
• [41:00] - Best actual firefighter
• [41:49] - Sign-off

Tone and Style

Warm, candid, and infused with affection for the craft and castmates, the conversation is filled with laughter, encouragement, and honest reflection on the pressures and joys of being part of such an iconic series. The camaraderie between Hanako and Jocelyn is the heart of the episode, mirroring the friendship and teamwork that define both their on-screen partnership and the spirit of Chicago Fire.

For fans and newcomers alike, this episode is a heartfelt tour behind the curtain — packed with laughs, life lessons, and the kind of love and chemistry that make One Chicago truly special.