Miranda Rae Mayo (Lt. Stella Kidd on Chicago Fire)

Summary

One Chicago Podcast: Miranda Rae Mayo (Lt. Stella Kidd on Chicago Fire)

Date: April 30, 2026
Host: Brian Lucci
Guest: Miranda Rae Mayo

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Episode Overview

In this milestone episode, host Brian Lucci sits down with Miranda Rae Mayo to celebrate her 10-year anniversary as Lieutenant Stella Kidd on Chicago Fire. The conversation is lively, warm, and filled with behind-the-scenes stories, reflections on character development, and personal growth. Miranda shares candid insights into her journey as an actor, the importance of community, and the supportive environment both on and off set. This episode is a heartfelt tribute to the women of Chicago Fire and an exploration of what it means to bring a heroic character to life over a decade.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Miranda’s Path to Acting

• Early Inspiration
  • Miranda recalls the first play she attended as a child in Visalia, California—an experience that “blew her away.”

    “I remember kind of being blown away. Like. Like, people do this.” (Miranda, 05:32)

• She describes her hometown as "the Midwest of California" and says her love of drama has been lifelong.

Music and Chicago Fire

• Miranda confirms she’s never sung on the show despite being a singer-songwriter:

  “I’ve never sang on the show... We’ve been saying that for years.” (06:06)

• She reveals many in the cast sing, singling out David Eigenberg, Joe Minoso, and Hanako Greensmith.

Getting the Call: Joining “Chicago Fire”

• Miranda’s first break in the “Wolf World” was on Law & Order: LA (2011), then joined Chicago Fire in 2016.
• She describes the excitement and whirlwind of being booked "off a tape," flying out to start almost immediately.
• First impression of the cast:

  “The person who was the kindest to me for sure was Yuri [Sardarov]. That’s my guy. That’s my guy forever.” (Miranda, 09:46-10:09)

First Impressions and Early Days

• Miranda shares she had no big expectations—she simply dove in and started having fun.

  “I really didn’t have any expectations. None. Like, I... came and I just started having so much fun...” (11:39–11:57)

• She describes her first scene, working with Jesse Spencer, Christian Stolte, Monica Raymund, and Yuri:

  “They were the best. The best. And like... I consider [Monica] a sister.” (12:21)

• On Monica Raymund:

  “She also was such a... power house as far as her energy, her drive. She’s brilliant.” (12:50)

Defining Stella Kidd

• Her favorite early episode involved the "bar Olympics" for managing Molly’s, which established her character’s vibrant, “fuchsia”-like presence amongst the cast:

  “She was a bright, bold color. She wasn’t a pastel.” (14:14)

On-Screen Relationships & Character Evolution

• Host and Miranda discuss her character’s early romantic drama, the love triangle, and the “slow burn” with Severide (“Stellaride”).
• She now enjoys that Stella is happily married on the show and values working with Taylor Kinney:

  “He’s just such a really beautiful like, present human.” (15:50)

• On outgrowing drama:

  "No...it's kind of nice." (15:27)

• Stella’s journey from firefighter to lieutenant is explored, with Miranda noting the support from Chief Boden as key.

Leadership and Mentorship

• Her favorite leadership scene: Stella coaching Kylie (from “Girls on Fire”), and learning humility from Daniel Kyri’s character, Ritter:

  “I think being willing to take inspiration wherever it comes from and not be so married to the...ranking of hierarchy. It's like being humble enough to say I was wrong.” (20:00)

• Memorable moment: Chief Boden inspiring Stella to take the lieutenant’s test:

  “Stella, Kid—you are courageous, intelligent, fierce, and honorable. And that is every bit of the definition of a leader.” (20:46)

Impact Beyond TV: Real-World Inspiration

• Miranda visited a real Girls on Fire program in Champaign, Illinois, inspiring young firefighters:

  “Those women [real female lieutenants] are incredible, and they humble me greatly.” (21:32)

• Observations on the importance of authentic role models, both onscreen and off.

Favorite Episodes & Scenes

• Miranda fondly recalls an episode with herself, Kara Killmer, and Annie Ilonzeh (“Brett” and “Foster”), where the women on a road trip end up rescuing a hockey team after a van accident.

  “It was me, Annie and Kara, like, climbing up on, you know, on top of a van, on the side of a highway.” (27:12–27:48)

Working Across the One Chicago Universe

• On crossovers:

  “It’s like going to your cousin’s house and eating their snacks...your family, but they do shit a little different here.” (28:33–29:06)

• She credits Joe Minoso with the analogy and laughs about the friendly rivalry—especially over the best snacks (which she gives to Med).

  “Med. Best snacks, best food. Hands down.” (30:37)

• Shoutouts to Tracy Spiridakos, Jesse Lee Soffer, and S. Epatha Merkerson (“the queen of all queens”).

Behind-the-Scenes Camaraderie

• Miranda emphasizes the strong camaraderie among the women of One Chicago, and also praises her male castmates as “delicious, hilarious, loving.”

  “Out of all of the men that I could work with...the men on Chicago Fire are just some of the most delicious, hilarious, loving...” (33:11–33:18)

Favorite Aspects of Filming

• Loves scenes that are about “scheming” and “figuring stuff out,” especially with Taylor Kinney.
• Enjoys action, “found family” scenes, and any time she works with her “women’s” (female cast mates).
• Praises the construction and special effects departments, recalling a car-out-of-a-building stunt as the most jaw-dropping:

  “That was one of the most insane things I’ve ever seen. And our construction team built an extension to that building...” (37:22–37:44)

Life Imitates Art

• Miranda now instinctively thinks like a firefighter—tracking exits/stairwells in hotels thanks to real-life firefighter friends.

  “I was like, my girl Lorna would be proud.” (39:49–40:15)

Set Pranks and Goofy Moments

• Most laughter on set revolves around David Eigenberg, Joe Minoso, Christian Stolte.
• Favorite prank: They poured hot water into Yuri Sardarov’s prized Yeti, making him believe it lost its cooling power:

  “And that went on for, I don’t know, maybe like a week...it could have gone on for months.” * (41:36–42:37)*

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Stella’s Character:

  “She was like a bright fuchsia...she was a bright, bold color. She wasn’t a pastel.” – Miranda (14:14)

• On Real Female Role Models:

  “Those women are incredible, and they humble me greatly.” – Miranda (21:32)

• Chief Boden’s Impact:

  “Stella, Kid—you are courageous, intelligent, fierce, and honorable. And that is every bit of the definition of a leader.” – Brian quoting the show (20:46)

• Crossover Vibes:

  “It’s like going to your cousin’s house and eating their snacks...” – Miranda (28:33)

• On Camaraderie with Cast:

  “Out of all of the men that I could work with...the men on Chicago Fire are just some of the most delicious, hilarious, loving...” – Miranda (33:17)

• Looking Back at 10 Years:

  “I’ve spent like a third of my life on this show. It’s the longest that I have ever been anywhere.” – Miranda (46:28)

• On Humility and Inspiration:

  “I think being willing to take inspiration wherever it comes from and not be so married to the ranking of hierarchy. It's like being humble enough to say I was wrong.” – Miranda (20:00)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [04:51] – Miranda’s path to acting
• [05:46] – Her musical side & cast members who sing
• [09:08] – Getting cast, flying in, first days on set
• [12:32] – First impressions of the main cast
• [14:14] – Defining Stella Kidd’s vibrant character
• [16:56] – Leadership moments & learning humility
• [21:16] – Impact of visiting a real Girls on Fire program
• [27:12] – Favorite rescues & “girls trip” episode
• [28:33] – Crossovers explained, best snacks at Med
• [33:17] – Camaraderie among cast
• [37:22] – Most impressive stunts & practical effects
• [39:49] – Hotel habits inspired by real firefighters
• [41:36] – Favorite set prank (the Yeti incident)
• [43:22] – Lightning round questions; cast hypotheticals
• [46:06] – Miranda’s reflection on 10 years with Chicago Fire

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Final Reflections

Miranda closes by expressing gratitude for her decade-long journey with Chicago Fire:

“Working on this show has stretched me as a person, as an actor and, like, as a community member... I’ve spent like a third of my life on this show. It’s the longest that I have ever been anywhere... I’m so blessed. I love it here.” (46:06–46:46)

Host Brian Lucci sums up her impact:

“You’re just a really good, solid individual that I can’t say enough about. So thanks for coming and playing with us.” (47:25)

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Summary Takeaway

This episode offers a rich, heartfelt celebration of Miranda Rae Mayo’s role as a leader and trailblazer on Chicago Fire. Listeners hear stories of early nerves, cast pranks, real-life firefighting inspiration, and the deep friendships that define the One Chicago world. Through Miranda’s words, the legacy of Stella Kidd—and the power of women in fire service, real and fictional—shines brightly.

Transcript

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[Miranda Ray Mayo]

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[Brian Lucci]

Hey, I'm Brian Lucci and this is the official one Chicago Podcast Action. I can't tell you how excited I am about today's guest. Who is it? I give you some hints. She's funny. She's one of the most incredibly badass women in all the wolf world, and she's been that badass for over 10 years on Chicago Fire. That's right. Today we have the absolute honor to sit down with Miranda Ray Mayo, aka Lt. Stella Kidd.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

I started to find I don't know what color she was in the cast of colors and she was like a bright fuchsia. You know, she was a bright bul bold color. She wasn't a pastel.

[Brian Lucci]

Me and Miranda sat down and talked about all the cool things that have changed over the last 10 years. So now we're gonna jump out of the pan and into the fire with the woman herself, Miranda Ray Mayo. That's coming up after this quick break. So don't go anywhere.

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[Brian Lucci]

hi, I'm Brian Lucci, and this is the Official One Chicago Podcast. Today we are beyond blessed to be with who? The one and only Miranda Ray Mayo, who just might be celebrating 10 years. They just told me on Chicago Fire didn't even realize that it's their anniversary. All right, let's give it up for the badass leader of 51, Miranda Ray. They let me throw it down.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

That's it. I know. I'm like, we should just. That's a route. That's. That was so smooth.

[Brian Lucci]

I love asking the first question. What, when and how made you become an actress?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

What, when and how? What?

[Brian Lucci]

This is all about you, right? Don't care about the rest of the world. We just want to learn about you.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Male okay, so, I mean, I've always been dramatic. I think I saw my first play when I was like, 7 or 8, and I remember I was living in Visalia, California. It's a small town, like, in between LA and San Francisco. A lot of people think it's the bay, but I grew up in the Central Valley, which I call kind of like the Midwest of California.

[Brian Lucci]

So you. You went to a play. You're living in California?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Mm. And I just remember kind of being blown away. Like. Like, people do this.

[Brian Lucci]

Wow.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

You know?

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah, yeah. I. When I was reading, they give me homework to do, but I did my own little research. Singer songwriter.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Brian Lucci]

When was the last time you sang?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

It's been a minute.

[Brian Lucci]

I mean, like, you sang on the show.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

I've never sang on the show.

[Brian Lucci]

They gotta do that.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

We've been saying that for years. I think they. Sometimes with our show, like, if they do something once, they're like, well, we did that.

[Brian Lucci]

Oh, no. You know, I would love to hear you sing.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Thanks. We have so many. There's so many people on our cast who sing. Like, believe it or not, David Eigenberg's got some pipes. Joe Minoso can sing. Hanukkah will be so mad at me for saying it. But she has. She has. I'll. You'll be.

[Brian Lucci]

So you can say whatever. Hanukkah will get over it. Go ahead.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

No, I'm just saying I have a video of her singing over. Over winter break. She. Her dad is like this incredible chamber musician. He's one of the. He's one of the best cellist, like, in the world.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah, she said that when she was on a. So you'll share that with us and we could play that clip here on this.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

I don't know. I have to get. I have to get permission from Hanukko, but she has one of the most incredible voices you've ever heard.

[Brian Lucci]

All right. Can you take me back to the moment when you first found out you were joining Chicago Fire and the Wolf World? And don't know. And don't think that I don't know about Law and Order la.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

That was actually. That was my first Wolf World. Yeah. That was my first acting gig.

[Brian Lucci]

Well, if you suck, then they wouldn't have brought you to this, right?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Is that there's some years in between.

[Brian Lucci]

Oh, really?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah.

[Brian Lucci]

How many years in between?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Probably, like, what. That was 2011. And then I joined this in 2016.

[Brian Lucci]

16. My God. Yeah. On the police department, after you did 10 years, you're considered a veteran and with the fire department, it's different. And you have Steve Chicorota. So I don't know how many years you have to do because you guys are in danger all the time. You don't like the police and you made lieutenant, which is. We're going to get into some of that cool stuff. One. One thing that I. I will say, which I'm kind of. I'm so proud of you for, is I read all these comments and every one of the comments is like how people really, really look up to you. You know, I know they write to it, but it's easy not to be humble and an asshole. You know, I mean, and you are not. You are this really good human being. When we just did the crossover and you. You were stuck in the back, you know, try. We had all these Things going se. Jumping on some. We're doing all this stuff.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Brian Lucci]

And I seen all the extras. We had like 2, 300 extras. And everyone wants to go by you and I. They're like, she's so cool. She's so kind. She's so badass. You know what I mean? Like, you don't even realize it, right? No, I. I mean, so where were you when and how did they get you? Who called you? Were you excited?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Oh, my God. So it was great. It was my manager and agent at the time. They called me and, like, it was this thing where if they both called me and they were both on the line, it was like, you knew that it was.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

And I get a call and they're like, hi. So you booked it. They booked you off a tape. You're flying out. They want you to fly out. Let's say that was a Monday. They wanted me to fly out on Wednesday and start shooting on Thursday for

[Brian Lucci]

like a three episode, six episode.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

It was for episode 15, and it was gonna be like, 15 through the end of the season.

[Brian Lucci]

Oh, that's awesome.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah. So it was like, all right, so pack your stuff. And you're, you know, you're going to

[Brian Lucci]

be gone till April, so you come here. Can I ask. Can I ask who's the nicest to you? When you got her out of the ensemble and who was an. You can give me both.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah, I would. I'm. I'll give you. I'll give you the cheese, man.

[Brian Lucci]

I like the cheese. Who's the kindness, cuz? Someone always got someone that really, like, welcome. Because they were going already for what, four years? Yeah, four years. They've been rocking and rolling.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah. Okay. Okay. My best friend and the person who was the kindest to me, me for sure. Was Yuri.

[Brian Lucci]

Really?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yuri Sardarov.

[Brian Lucci]

Everyone loves Yuri, man.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Hi. That's probably the Russian. Oh, my God.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah, yeah.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

One of the biggest heartbreaks was him leaving the show. Like, I still, like. I think we texted today.

[Brian Lucci]

Really?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

That's my guy. That's my guy forever.

[Brian Lucci]

I just seen a clip of him when Platt got married. The Mouch. You got all these little things going on. And he met this Russian girl in there. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And it was.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Who is actually, like, Was like of. It's one of Joe Minoso's best friends.

[Brian Lucci]

Oh, she was cool in the world.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah. Lauren September.

[Brian Lucci]

Oh, wow. All right, here we go.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Small world.

[Brian Lucci]

Can you tell me. Can you tell me what made you nervous and what made you excited about joining the show.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

What made me nervous, I think.

[Brian Lucci]

First big, big, huge gig, right?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah, yeah. It was like one of the first gigs that, like, people were like, oh, my God, I love that show.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah. People love Chicago Fire. They're all in. Yeah.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

The people who watch.

[Brian Lucci]

Right, right, right, right, right.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Oh, like, love our show. We have loyal, consistent fans.

[Brian Lucci]

So did it make you nervous to join on that?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

No, no. I think I was. I was excited. But I have definitely, especially at that time in my life, what I think I, like, I just was a bit of a hurricane. I still am a bit.

[Brian Lucci]

And a baby. You're a baby at 25. Wow.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

So it was just like, all right, here we go. What are we doing?

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. You know, what were your expectations for Kid coming onto the show and how much has it changed you over the last 10 years?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Oh, so funny.

[Brian Lucci]

Tough one, huh?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah. I mean, I really. I'm telling you, like, I really didn't have any expectations. None. Like, I. Wow. I came and I just started having so much fun and.

[Brian Lucci]

Cause they're all crazy and they make you feel at home.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

They're insane. Yeah, they're insane. I, like, I. I'm trying to remember, like, just an example. I think the first scene that I shot, it was. I was with like, Jesse, Christian Stolte, Monica Raymond, Yuri.

[Brian Lucci]

Monica Raymond. My God, all these people. Yeah.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Like, they were the best. The best. And like, I mean, Monica, like, I. I consider her a sister. Like, I. We. You know, we'll talk every now and then.

[Brian Lucci]

But, like, we were lucky because she played Antonio, Dawson's sister.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah.

[Brian Lucci]

So she'd come over. They. They had these crosses before. The even crosses were cool. That was like, we'd end up in Molly's or something, and you'd see a lot of people, so they weren't that deep. But there were stories that go back and forth. It's another just a really good human.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

She just. She also was such a. Just a powerhouse as far as her energy, her drive. She's brilliant.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah. Yeah. What was the first scene where you feel like you really got to know who Stella Kidd was as a character?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

I. To this day, my. One of my favorite episodes that I've shot on the show was we had this kind of like bar Olympics. So it was like Dawson and Kid had known each other from back in the day.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

And Herman needed a manager for Molly's, and so Stella was trying to. Like, Stella was trying to get on. On board and manage Molly's, and Herman wasn't sure about it. So then Dawson kind of like concocted this plan. Like. Well, let's have a little. Why don't we have a. I'll have a little wager. We'll do a little. Do a little competition. And whoever wins, you know, if. If Herman, if you win, then we'll leave you alone. But if Stella wins, then she gets to manage the bar and. And Stella ends up winning. But through that, just the hijinks.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah. You see who you were? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

I freaking loved it. And I. It was then that I think I started to find like, I don't know what color she was in the. In the cast of colors. And she was like a bright. She was like a. She was like a fuchsia. You know, she was a bright, bold color. She wasn't a. She wasn't a pastel.

[Brian Lucci]

Wow. Our. Our team has like these. These relationships that are hidden in layers. Like you and Bowden. Because I watched the show.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Oh man.

[Brian Lucci]

Oh my God. He. He loved you. He respected you. He knew you were. You know, I mean, he's seen everything in you. He's the one who told you to become lieutenant.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah.

[Brian Lucci]

And there's a little thing. I'll read it later. That I love. Okay. Looking back when you first started. Oh boy. Did they have fun with you with the romantic drama. Several. I'd. Showing up at your house.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah.

[Brian Lucci]

Your man. Were you married to that guy at that time or. He was a boyfriend. Yeah. The love triangle between you and that ex boyfriend. That didn't go so well in the alley when he came at you with the knife.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

That's right.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah. Then the slow burn of Stella ride.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

That's right.

[Brian Lucci]

Stellar. So do you ever miss playing the romance drama stuff? Now the severai. And you are so happily married. Do you miss it?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

I mean, no. Like my first impulse is no. Like, I mean, I don't know. There's. It's kind of. It's. It's kind of nice. I love. I love working with Taylor.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah. Like, I think there's many women out there that would. I'd kiss him. He's hot.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

He's just. He's.

[Brian Lucci]

You know, and he's a good people too, right? Nice guy.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

He's a. He's just. Just such a really beautiful like present human. And he just is really like in a scene. He is so like respectful and. And it's fun. Like we just get. We can lock in and I love that.

[Brian Lucci]

What's kind of. So you're done dating and you found a man who you love. You don't need to be in the show with like.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Brian Lucci]

Both on and off. That's wonderful. Ten years. When did you guys get married? Two years ago. A year ago. When was it? Two more? I have.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

I have no idea.

[Brian Lucci]

Isn't that crazy? 20 episodes times 10 years. You're more than 200 episodes in.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

It's in.

[Brian Lucci]

I know. They run into each other some days. Not even.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Well, and it's crazy, too, because it's like we're wearing the same stuff. We're going to the same place.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah. You know, like, you burned everything there was. You blown. All right. Click. Kid climb from the ladder from firefighter to lieutenant and is now an incredible leader. What do you think other leaders should learn from Stella's kid? Leadership style. And what's a scene that you think demonstrated it?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Wow. One of my favorite scenes is a scene that I shot that we shot with Daniel, Kyrie, and Ritter. He kind of pulls Stella off to the side because Stella is, like, coaching young Kylie. Kylie used to be one of her girls from Girls on Fire.

[Brian Lucci]

Oh, God. I want to talk about that. Yeah.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

And then. And then she needed a job, and so she worked out. Kylie working in the firehouse for both.

[Brian Lucci]

Right, I seen that.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

And then. And then she wanted to take the firefighter. You know, she wanted to take the test and enter the academy. And she.

[Brian Lucci]

The same character that died in a crossover. That's a different one. That's a young girl.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

No, that's. No, that's Macy.

[Brian Lucci]

You love Macy.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

God, Carlita.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah, I interrupted you about that. Keep going. But that

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

she. So, like, Stella kind of starts really getting on her about, you know, training, and she starts kind of. Kind of being a bit overbearing, and Ritter pulls her off to the side and is like.

[Brian Lucci]

I remember my mom saying, leave all that to the real men.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Seriously. Yeah.

[Brian Lucci]

We had our issues, to say the least. So I had to show them that I could be as tough as my uncle Anthony, the firefighter. I studied hard, I worked my ass off in the gym and graduated. But their words, you stuck. And the doubt kept creeping in. That's why Malch found me in that stairwell frozen.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

And I just put that seated doubt in Kylie's mind.

[Brian Lucci]

My uncle was my hero, and Kylie's hero is you. What you think means a lot.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

He kind of sets her straight, and this is someone who, like, technically is not. It's not her superior, but she, like, really takes it in and listens and takes his advice and moves forward. And I. Number one, I just love Daniel also. We could never do enough scenes together. I wish he was still on the show. Like, that is that I want to.

[Brian Lucci]

That's cool that you can remember that. That's a guy who helped you define who she was, I think.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

And as far as the question of, like, leadership.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

I think being willing to take inspiration wherever it comes from and not be so married to the. The. The ranking of hierarchy. It's like being humble enough to say I was wrong.

[Brian Lucci]

Like. Like a chick wrote us. Well, you know me. He goes through hell, and, you know, he's a. I, I like. There was. There was a scene where Stella to the chief, you say, do you think I'm ready? Talking about, he wanted you to take the lieutenant's test.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Oh, yeah.

[Brian Lucci]

And there was a bunch of firefighters that were African American. And there was another scene.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah.

[Brian Lucci]

We read up all the names. It was so beautiful.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Engine 28, that.

[Brian Lucci]

See?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah.

[Brian Lucci]

Just see that impact that you. 200 episodes. But you remember that.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah.

[Brian Lucci]

And in that scene, it was like they were waiting for these African American firefighters to do something wrong. And he's us. Chief Bogan says, stella, kid, you are courageous, intelligent, fierce, and honorable. And that is every bit of the definition of a leader. And it was. It was cool. Yeah, it's right there. I wrote it down. I loved it. Oh, yeah, keep that. Keep that. All right, here we go. I heard that when you showed up at a real life Girls on Fire program.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Oh, yeah.

[Brian Lucci]

Chicago.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah. Champagne.

[Brian Lucci]

The inspiring firefighters went wild because you play a hero and an icon. You know, I wanted to tell you that I read an article. If you don't mind, can I say what you said in this article, please?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

I don't know.

[Brian Lucci]

Beautiful, right? So you said this playing a hero. You said, I don't ever want to get into a place where, like, I con myself into thinking that I am as noble as Stella is or any of the real female lieutenants and firefighters. I mean, we all have our own gifts and cherish, and I cherish and value mine, but those women are incredible, and they humble me greatly. So I think that that might be part of why I don't ever look too closely at that. That's kind of. I mean, you said it, and it came. And it came right from your heart. Like you said, we. We forget things. And I read and I was thinking, you know, the guys on my show, they play. They play policemen, and they're always trying to get it right. And I'm telling them towards, well, what would you do? Taurus. I said Taurus. The greatest version of you is you. They don't want to see Lucci. They want to see you. You know, don't change that. Just be you as a cop. And how. I could tell you how it's going to affect you.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah.

[Brian Lucci]

You're going to go home, you're going to cry, or this is going to happen. It's going to happen. You guys do it. So. Right. And I heard that Herman would go to these training classes every.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

He goes to ifsi. Illinois Fire Service Institute. I hope. I'm pretty sure I got that right. But they have a fire college every year. I think if it wasn't last year, the year before was their 100th year of doing this. It's free. It's for. And most of the people who go, it's like volunteer firefighters who are just, you know, maybe they get like five bucks a fire. They don't have like a. Like a.

[Brian Lucci]

They get to put a red light on top of their car. Yeah.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Like, essentially they have, like, a pager and, like, don't know who is going to show up to the fire when they get there. And then when they get there, they just figure it out. But, like, this college is there to teach people the skills.

[Brian Lucci]

And they went crazy when they seen you.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Oh, my. Oh, my. But David. David is gone every year.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

I heard every freaking.

[Brian Lucci]

He just shows up, his wife kicks him out of the house because he's in bots, which. That's crazy.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

That's right.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

She says you've got to go. So three hours a day.

[Brian Lucci]

There's a real fire lady that I know that grew up in my neighbor. I live in Bridgeport. Her name is Joellen McNeil, and she was a lieutenant. And the men who worked with her, she always worked in what they call a busy house. I don't know much about fire department, but the busy house is guys. You go in a slow house, they're always going. And all of her guys would say, not just the best boss we had, women boss. The best boss.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Hell, yeah.

[Brian Lucci]

She was like five foot three.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah.

[Brian Lucci]

Looks like nothing.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah. But just. She's in there. Yeah, she's in there. So that. I thought that was kind of beautiful. Beautiful that you went and did all that. We're gonna take a quick break now, but stick around. We have more Miranda Ray Mayo right after this. Focus Features in Blumhouse present Obsession.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

When I have a crush on a

[Brian Lucci]

guy no one knows. Be careful. I wish Nikki love me more than anyone in the entire world. Who you wish for obsession is 96% fresh on rotten tomatoes. I love you so so, so, so much. It's blood soaked nightmare fuel brook hunger spills you put on her. You have been warned. Obsession. We did our under 17 nanometer without parent only in theaters May 15th with special engagements in Dolby Girl.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Winter is so last season and now spring's got you looking at pictures of tank tops with hungry eyes. Your algorithm is feeding you cutoffs. You're thirsty for the sun on your shoulders that perfect hang on the patio sundress those sandals you can wear all day and all night. And you've had enough of shopping from your couch.

[Brian Lucci]

Done.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Hoping it looks anything like the picture when you tear open that envelope. It's time for a little in person spring treat. It's time for a trip to Ross. Work your magic. Ready to soundtrack your summer with Red Bull Summer All Day Play. You choose a playlist that fits your summer vibe the best. Are you a festival fanatic, a deep end dj, a road dog, or a trail mixer? Just add a song to your chosen playlist and put your summer on track. Red Bull Summer all day play. Red Bull gives you wings. Visit red bull.com brightsummer ahead to learn more. See you this summer.

[Brian Lucci]

We're back with Firehouse 51's Lieutenant Stella Kid. The fabulous and fearless Miranda Ray Mayo. All right, what is one of your all time favorite scenes you ever shot on Chicago Fire? I know there could be a lot of them.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah, favorite. I mean. Yeah, I'll tell you, there was a scene with me, Kara and Annie when they.

[Brian Lucci]

With the curly hair. That Annie. Yeah.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yo.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah, yeah.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Annie's my girl.

[Brian Lucci]

Like, I forgot Annie's last name.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Well, Alonza.

[Brian Lucci]

Okay, good. We gotta say first and last names. My producer always says. So we know we're talking about. Go ahead.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Sure. Foster.

[Brian Lucci]

Foster.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Foster. And. And Brett. But there was an episode where the three of us were like headed for a girls trip and we come up on.

[Brian Lucci]

I didn't see it. Damn, I want to see it. I'm gonna watch it.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

It's pretty. I mean, it's a pretty great episode, I think I wanna say Yuri was still on the show. Yeah, it's like the guys are having like a chili cook off at the house. So they're all like trying to make chili. And then the women. Yeah, they're going for a girls trip and on the way they see a. It's like a hockey team. Their van.

[Brian Lucci]

Oh, God.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Flipped. So then they save the hockey team. And so like, it was like me, Annie and Carol, like, climbing up like on, you know, on top of a van, on the side of a highway

[Brian Lucci]

until, like, days and days of you three filming together. Yeah, that bounce. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

That was. That was. I think, yeah.

[Brian Lucci]

Beautiful. You did have a good answer. All right, behind the scenes. You ready for this one?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yes.

[Brian Lucci]

You said once that doing crossovers is like going to your cousin's house and eating their snacks.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yes.

[Brian Lucci]

What the hell did you mean by that?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yes. Well, I feel like bothering you. I feel like I wanted to make sure it wasn't, you know, it wasn't poking me out too much. I didn't want to wrinkle it. That's for later. That's for my bedroom mirror.

[Brian Lucci]

I made the mirror.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

You made the mirror?

[Brian Lucci]

I made the bedroom. Which is more important?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yay.

[Brian Lucci]

Go ahead.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

So. So

[Brian Lucci]

the question is, you said once that doing crossovers is like going to your cousin's house and eating their snacks.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Oh, I totally stole that from Joe. I think Joe Min. Yoso said that first.

[Brian Lucci]

Oh, yeah.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

So let's. Yeah, clear the. Let's let the record show. I'm pretty positive I stole that from Joe. And, you know, it's like, you go over, like, whenever you have cousins, it's like. It's. It's similar. Your family. You can tell that you're family, you know, your family, but at the same time, you're like, oh, they do shit a little different here.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah, Right, right. In a different house.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah.

[Brian Lucci]

This crossover felt special because there was so many of us. All. You, like, your peanut butter was in our chocolate. Like the Reese's commercial. Like, wasn't it?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah.

[Brian Lucci]

Like, remember doing the tunnel one? It was like, oh, there's a couple of you guys over. There's a couple of us guys over here. This one was like, everyone was in the mix 100%.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Tracy. Tracy was like the great unifier, you know, Tracy and Jesse, like, on our call sheets.

[Brian Lucci]

Tracy Spar and Jesse Soer.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

That's right.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah. Upton and Halstead.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

But Upton, you know, on a call sheet, right, you have. You have the numbers. You have, like, one through, you know, however many. So, like, on our show, you know, Taylor's number one. Right. But for the crossover, on all our call sheets, Tracy was 1C. So she was number one of the crossover.

[Brian Lucci]

Oh, really? And you're like, 1F 1P.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. But, like, crop crossover queen Tracy.

[Brian Lucci]

Did it piss anyone off? No. Nobody cares. Right?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

No.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah, She's.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

She's. She's running shit. Look at her. She's. When she's standing There waiting for the. For the plane to land. I remember watching her from across the tarmac, and I was like, she is channeling something, dude.

[Brian Lucci]

She's badass. All right, what's your favorite part about hanging out with your PD and Med cousins? And between me and you. Me and you, you could tell me who your favorite was. It'll only be between us. I swear I won't tell anyone.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Oh, my God. Okay. I'll tell you right now, Med. Best snacks, best food.

[Brian Lucci]

Best food. Yeah.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Hands down.

[Brian Lucci]

Everybody says that. Like, I never. I'm afraid of the lady. There's a lady over there knows I'm not from meds 100.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah. And she rides for her people. She's like, no. No hummus for you. Yeah. She's like, get out of here. You try and use the latte machine. Are you a p. No.

[Brian Lucci]

I love my PA.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

I mean, she's one of. I. I. She's one of my favorites.

[Brian Lucci]

Dr. Goodwin, if anyone's listening out there and you don't know who Paith is. The queen of all queens. Yeah.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

The queen of all queens. Like, truly, just. She does not. She is one of the realest.

[Brian Lucci]

Oh, my God.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

One of the realest. Just most authentic down to earth and is like, don't. With a paper.

[Brian Lucci]

No, no, no. Don't, don't.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

And. But at the same time, like, she's not.

[Brian Lucci]

She's the most.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

She. She's just loved.

[Brian Lucci]

We did the. In the. In the crossover, you know, they. They. Whatever was back in time. So she's saying that she got this beautiful curly hair, and she's not having it.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah.

[Brian Lucci]

Let's go. And Raffers, you know, I mean, and I was. Even. Voight was scared. Like, Void's going. I think we should go.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah.

[Brian Lucci]

And Dermot was out there. It was a beautiful scene. She. I loved. I just love her.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

I know.

[Brian Lucci]

Okay, you got to finish that.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Okay.

[Brian Lucci]

So you talked about craft services, but between you and me part, you didn't give me. Who was your favorite to work with out of everybody?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Oh, who's my favorite to work with out of everybody?

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah. Not count your guys.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

I said I. Betha.

[Brian Lucci]

Oh, it was a paper.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

I mean. I mean, a paitha Ramos was.

[Brian Lucci]

She's cool.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Ramos is like, goals.

[Brian Lucci]

Like, Ramos plays Dr. Lennox on Chicago Med. She came in our bullpen, dude. She murdered the scene.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Like, people were going, she knows her stuff.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

And it just doesn't hold anything to, you know, seriously. But knows what she. I mean, yeah. Ramos. Ramos is amazing.

[Brian Lucci]

Another amazing, amazing actor who Else.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

I feel like so many of. Of the women, anytime, like, I get a chance to just share space or, like, play with them, I'm elated because, I mean, like. Like today on set, only woman, only one. There's so many times.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah, yeah. Where it's all due to.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

And, like, don't get me wrong, out of all of the men that I could work with and not just on the shows, I mean, like, in the world.

[Brian Lucci]

Right, Right.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

I think the men on Chicago Fire are just some of the most delicious, hilarious, loving. Like, oh, like, I just. Yeah, they're the best.

[Brian Lucci]

They're just good people.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

They're just good.

[Brian Lucci]

They're just messing around, but love you to death. You guys, like, show up at each other's houses. Like, you guys are closer than anyone would ever know.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

I watched. I watched the crossover with David. With David and Myrna.

[Brian Lucci]

Really? With his wife.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah. His daughter and his daughter's daughter.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah. And Christy. All right, here we go. What are your favorite kinds of scenes to shoot as an actor? And why is it. Action scenes? Love scenes. Breakfast at the firehouse, Molly's.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

What's my favorite on the show? I recently. Taylor and I had a great scene this episode where we're just kind of scheming and we're trying to figure stuff out and kind of going back and forth. Like, I. I loved that.

[Brian Lucci]

I liked early in the season when you didn't know about the new guy, Brandon, and you. And you. He would talk to you back and forth like you didn't know what to do as leaders. I just loved the story because that kid was on. On call, and I was, please let him. Please let him like him. Please let him go.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

You know, we're talking about Vasquez.

[Brian Lucci]

So first, I think you're his boss on the show.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

I'm his boss on the show. He is just a person like Brandon. He is a person who will just kind of sit back and observe and is like, what am I walking into? And then once he feels like. Which I think is really smart. See, I. I was not that way.

[Brian Lucci]

I'm all in.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

I just. Yeah, I'm the same. I, like, ran in. I think I tackled David my second day.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah, I'm never that smart. So bottom line, what we have here. So that would be. I interrupted you, too. I ruined the whole thing. When you were saying. But scheming with him, huh?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

It's shot.

[Brian Lucci]

I'll take a crack. Scheming with him is what you like doing those kind of scenes, I liked.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah, we recently. I mean, that was a scene. Because my mem. My memory is.

[Brian Lucci]

I know.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Freaking shot.

[Brian Lucci]

So I'm like, me, Olinsky. Like, I remember, like, big things, but I hear you.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah, but, like, you know, this last week, we. We shot an episode where. What is this? This is episode 19 where, like. Yeah. Sevride and I are in his office and we're trying to figure something out.

[Brian Lucci]

No spoilers. We just said that.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah, no spoilers. But I loved that. I also. I came to really love my scenes with Isaiah, my foster son.

[Brian Lucci]

Oh, wow.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Those were really sweet. I love. And again, I love any scene with me and Hanukkah and Jocelyn.

[Brian Lucci]

They're the bomb, right?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

They're the best. When I get to be with my women's.

[Brian Lucci]

At this point, you guys have blown up, lit up almost most of Chicago. All right, but what's a stunt or an effect that really impressed you or stuck with you?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

The one where that you did it. Stunt, huh? A stunt I did. They wouldn't. No, they wouldn't let me do the. The stunt. I also, though, I need to. I need to take some time and go with Rick out on the ranch. I need to show him, like, hey,

[Brian Lucci]

we speak of Rick. We Talk of Rick LeFever Senior, who's the stunt coordinator for Chicago Fire and has been since day one.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Legendary stunt man.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah. Wonderful. And he knows how to wear a pair of jeans.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yo.

[Brian Lucci]

He looks like a Ken doll. Doesn't he look.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Truly.

[Brian Lucci]

Or he hopped off a marble horse.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Truly. And then made, like, three. Just beautiful children.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah, it's.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

I. I could throw something. It's like. It's rude.

[Brian Lucci]

Wicked smart.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

You know what I mean?

[Brian Lucci]

So stunt or special effect that really impressed you?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

We had a car sticking out of a building. You know what I'm talking about?

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah, I've seen that.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah. That was one of the most insane things I've. I've ever seen. And our construction team built an extension to that building.

[Brian Lucci]

Oh, my God.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah. And then had the car sticking out of the extension. But it's like the whole sidewalk, you know, on the bottom, like, it was all hollow like wood.

[Brian Lucci]

Really?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah, it was your set.

[Brian Lucci]

That guy's amazing. What's his name? The guy who builds the sets is. I forget his first and last name. It'll come in.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Craig Jackson. No, he's our production designer.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah, he's super cool, too.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

He's amazing.

[Brian Lucci]

And then the special effects is John Mallet, John Milanac. John Millineck is a special effects who's a legend. Right.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

I think I like. I Think that if a TV show could win an Oscar or if there were Oscars for special effects, I think John Milanac deserves one.

[Brian Lucci]

That's wonderful. I hope you. I hope he hears this. All right, here we go. You've been playing a firefighter so long, do you ever find yourself thinking like a firefighter in real life? This happens to my guys who play cops.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Recently, I was staying at a hotel. I was out of town with my lover, with my boyfriend. Oh, I'm, like, hearing this, and I noticed. I was like. I took the stairs, and then I kept track of, like, well, where is my room from the stairwell? And I was like, yeah.

[Brian Lucci]

Wow. Really?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah. And I was like, oh. I was like, my girl, one of the firefighters who's. She's actually a firefighter, I want to say. She's like, either just down South Chicago or Indiana. But Lorna, my girl Lorna, when we were filming the crossover, because we were filming out in St. Charles, she came and stayed out. We all. You know, a bunch of us stayed

[Brian Lucci]

in as a technical advisor or just hang out.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

She's just. Just back, you know. Oh, dude, I love background, but she's the. She's the best. And we all went out to dinner one night, and Hanako, her and I were just kind of standing in the stairwell, like, doing that thing where we're like, okay, we have to go and then talk for, like, 30 more minutes.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

And. And she. There was like a. There was a fire. Either there was an extinguisher, like. Like a hydrant that was, like, inside of the building that, like, you know, engine can connect to. And she was just kind of coaching us on it. On. She was like, now, do you know what that is? And. And so I was thinking to myself, when I was thinking about the exits, I was like, lorna. Lorna would be proud.

[Brian Lucci]

You got it. Michelle Martinez, who's the medical tech advisor for the paramedics. You work with her?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

That's right. Yeah.

[Brian Lucci]

She's badass.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Oh, she's. Yo.

[Brian Lucci]

So we have this awesome family of people that we could dive into. Okay, here we go. So many. You guys are complete goofballs over at fire. What is the hardest you found yourself laughing on set? Whether it was a prank, whether something stupid happened, what was it?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

I mean, it happens usually behind it.

[Brian Lucci]

Herman, Who?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Dave. Anytime David's on set, there's people are going to be laughing.

[Brian Lucci]

Can you think of one epic moment that blew your shirts off?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Oh, my God. Or Joe or Christian? Like, they're all Christian's Too smart.

[Brian Lucci]

You can't mess with Christian.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

No, I. Yeah, he'll get you. He'll. I mean, and not even trying, like, just. And it'll be witty, and it will never be. Never be, like, hateful. Like, that man has the biggest heart, but he'll get you. I can't. I can't. I can't think of, like, a pranker. Well, there was. This was a long time ago. There was a prank that I think it was like, David, Joe.

[Brian Lucci]

Oh, good. This is getting good already.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Oh, my God. They. They pulled it on Yuri. So Yuri. Yuri had this. He had this. He had this yeti. He was so proud of it. Right. And spent however much, you know, freaking

[Brian Lucci]

80 bucks before yetis were cool.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Before. Right, right. This was when I first joined the show and just kept talking about, you know, how it's like, it keeps the water cold for, you know, like, four hours. That's the whole thing. So then he would, you know, take a sip, he'd set it down, and when he'd leave it, the guys would pour out his cold water.

[Brian Lucci]

Oh, my God.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Just a little bit of hot water. And so then he'd come back to it, and he'd take a sip, and he'd be like, oh, must not have put the cap on all the way. You know, and he would just. And he would just. And. And that went on for, I don't know, maybe like a week.

[Brian Lucci]

Oh, my God. They played it out. They.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

It could have gone on for months. And then someone who shall not be named accidentally gave it away. I know.

[Brian Lucci]

Okay, Miranda, it's time for a lightning round of rapid fire questions. And, yes, pun is very much intended. I'm going to ask you a series of questions, and you need to answer quickly. I call them spontaneous utterance. Are you ready?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

I'm ready.

[Brian Lucci]

But no one ever does it fast. You got to do it fast. Okay, Miranda, if you could bring any character from any Wolf Entertainment show. I'm talking Law and Order, svu, FBI, or any other Chicago show on to your show, who would you choose and why?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Mariska Hargitay. I want to see how she works.

[Brian Lucci]

She wins all the time.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

She's. I mean. Yeah. Or Rick Gonzalez, who was on the most recent Law and Order because he's just a g. And I love him.

[Brian Lucci]

Really?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah.

[Brian Lucci]

Mariska wins and the paper wins a lot.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah, for sure.

[Brian Lucci]

I mean, go. All right, you did a spontaneous. You were good. Miranda, which Chicago Fire character would you want most to run into a building with. Burning building with it. Why but it can't be a real firefighter.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

It can't be Tony.

[Brian Lucci]

Sorry, Tony.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

I mean, the. The first person that comes to mind is Taylor, actually.

[Brian Lucci]

He is badass, but, like, he's. He's athletic. He really is.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

He is. He, like. Yeah, he was like an athlete, like, growing up, and he just rides a motorcycle. Yeah. And he has a way. He's been in so many situations that have just been insane, and he is still alive. So I'm like, well, you're.

[Brian Lucci]

We're taking in.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

You're doing something right.

[Brian Lucci]

All right, Miranda, which Chicago Fire character would you most want to go on vacation with? And why?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Oh, well, I mean, Hanukkah.

[Brian Lucci]

Everyone loves Hanukkah. I love that. Jasmine, like, on the road.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah, yeah. Hanukkah. Laroise the.

[Brian Lucci]

Royce Hawkins.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Laroise Hawkins. Apatha, Eamon, David.

[Brian Lucci]

Joe.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Actually, Joe is like.

[Brian Lucci]

A lot of people go back and say, joe's really fun.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Joe'.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah, he's a good time. Which of the fellow actors would you be best. Would be the best actual firefighter who's not a real one. But it's kind of the same question here. I'm going to skip it. I'm going to go to this one. I love this game. And they don't let me play because

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

I would say David.

[Brian Lucci]

You would? David Eichenberg.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

I would say David, he's too short

[Brian Lucci]

to fight a fire.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Wow. He could do the first story break his. No.

[Brian Lucci]

Well, he says terrible all the time.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

What about your. What about your girl?

[Brian Lucci]

Oh, yeah, you're right, McNeil. She's badass. This game is Mary, fire hose. Who would you marry? Who would you fire? And who would you hose?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Okay.

[Brian Lucci]

And always means you blow them across the street like a violent one.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I would marry Hanukkah. Fire. I'm running into a fire, so.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah, yeah. Run. Run into a fire. Yeah.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Okay, so Taylor.

[Brian Lucci]

Taylor again. Yeah.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

And. And oppose David because he would like it.

[Brian Lucci]

He's a pain in the ass.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah, he would like it.

[Brian Lucci]

All right, let me ask you this. So this is about how we make the sausage and how we come together and behind the scenes, if. If you. If you could say just enough. And this is a. It's not too tough, but over the last 10 years and like a sentence, how would you say this has been and how it's treated you?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Oh, wow. Overwhelming in a lot of ways. I think that working on this show has stretched me as a person, as an actor and, like, as a community member.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

You know?

[Brian Lucci]

Well, that's beautiful.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah, I think that's really true. I was just talking with Joe about this, that I've spent like a third of my life on this show. It's the longest that I have ever

[Brian Lucci]

been anywhere and don't want to go anywhere.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

I mean, I'm just like, I'm so blessed. I love it here.

[Brian Lucci]

I am, too. Yeah.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah.

[Brian Lucci]

Changing my life. Yeah.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah.

[Brian Lucci]

Like, and the way therapy. I would never been able to meet these incredible people. Like, you see actors one way and you're like. Like, you have. You have. Like, you think, then you meet them, you go, oh, these are the most. It's like California, you know? I mean, there's real California people that live there, but then there's the people who just come there and, like, these are real, you know?

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Yeah.

[Brian Lucci]

It's awesome. So I have to end it by saying to one of the coolest, one of the most humble, one of the most beautiful, intelligent, incredible women who I'm sure the real Chicago Fire Department and all the fire department are so happy that you represent the women that are on the job. I mean that. Because it could go wrong. You know what I mean? Like, you. You're just a really good, solid individual that I can't say enough about. So thanks for coming and playing with us.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

I appreciate it. I am a lunatic. But I am. I'm deeply fortunate and I'm. And I'm. And I'm grateful. I'm grateful to. To be here. Thank you for having me.

[Brian Lucci]

Are you kidding me? Shout out to the wolf world. All right, come on, guys. Give it up for my buddy, Miranda Ray Mayo. You got it. Admit she's sweet, she's kind. She's just one hell of a human being. Catch her as Lieutenant Stella Kidd every week on Chicago Fire and catch all our one Chicago shows. Wednesday nights on NBC and anytime on Peacock. There's plenty of big stuff ahead. Once Chicago airs on Wednesday night at 8pM 7 Central on NBC and you could stream it on Peacock. The One Chicago Podcast is a production of Wolf Entertainment and USG Audio. The series is hosted by me, Brian Lucci. It's executive produced by Dick Wolf, Elliot Wolf and Steven Michael at Wolf Entertainment, Josh Block at USG Audio and John Yale Kastner at Spoke Media. Our showrunner is Derek John.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Our.

[Brian Lucci]

Our producer is Maggie Debrizzi, and our audio producers are Jason Mark and Kelly Kauf. Video production by Bo Delmore. Coordinating production by Tess Ryan. Our production assistant is Montserrat Rodriguez, with engineering and mix by Evan Arnett. And original music by John o'. Hara. This series is produced by Spoke Media and distributed by Realm Production Support for USG Audio by Josh Lalonghi. I'm Brian Luch. Thanks for listening and we'll see you all soon. Cut the war is over and both sides lost. Kingdoms were reduced to cinders and armies scattered like bones in the dust. Now the survivors claw to what's left of a broken world, praying the Darkness chooses someone else tonight. But in the shadowdark, the Darkness always wins. This is old school adventuring at its most cruel. Your torch ticks down in real time and when that flame dies, something else rises to finish the job. This is a brutal rules light nightmare with a story that emerges organically based on the decision that the characters make. This is what it felt like to play RPGs in the 80s and man, it is so good to be back. Join the Glass Cannon Podcast as we plunge into the Shadow Dark every Thursday night at 8pm Eastern on YouTube.com theglasscannon with the podcast version dropping the next day. See what everybody's talking about and join us in the dark.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

From the parents behind Law and Order

[Narrator/Advertiser]

comes a mystery the whole family can enjoy.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Patrick Picklebottom Everyday Mysteries Step into the whimsical world of Patrick Picklebottom, a precocious 11 year old with a love for reading and an uncanny ability to solve mysteries. Inspired by the beloved children's book of the same name, this podcast vividly brings Patrick's tales of deduction and everyday adventures to life as he unravels baffling enigmas

[Narrator/Advertiser]

and solves clever cases.

[Miranda Ray Mayo]

Patrick Picklebottom Everyday Mysteries is perfect for kids and is just as entertaining for grown ups who love a good mystery. The whole family can listen now.

[Narrator/Advertiser]

Wherever you get your podcasts.