Red threads of fate tangle on, and Owen Strand finds himself heading the department that has now added two more of Chicago's finest to its ranks. With Ladder 126 under the command of Matt Casey and Tommy Vega and Squad 9 in the capable hands of Kelly Severide and Sylvie Brett, Owen readies for the task of taking the helm of the Austin Fire Department as Deputy Chief.

In Chicago, Greg Grainger and Jason Pelham have quite the shoes to fill, and with one of their best friends now running the department's paramedics, they now find themselves at the heart of 51's most intense calls, some of which bring them into alliance with Wendy Seager. Taking over positions held by Casey and Severide is no easy feat.

And in New York, the fallout of the sniper attack in Los Angeles brings a new player into the field on Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler's side: Executive Assistant District Attorney Nolan Price, the charismatic and dangerous handpicked, righthand man of Jack McCoy and brother of Sylvie. With Nolan comes the Manhattan North Homicide Squad, and some of New York's worst are destined to learn of the consequences that come with challenging New York's finest.

***

STARRING

Universal Regulars

"I took this job to shape the AFD into the best version of itself. That doesn't mean being on everyone's good sides."

Rob Lowe as Deputy Chief Owen Strand, Austin Fire Department

"Oh please, don't tempt my fate. Trouble, don't you come my way."

***

"You already did this once. How . . . how the hell did you get through it?"

Ronen Rubinstein as Firefighter TK Strand, Squad Company 9, Austin 126

"Oh, Lord, don't let me stray. Trouble, don't you come my way."

***

"Look, whatever you've got to do . . . that's what has to happen, OK? Your family's gotta come first."

Oliver Stark as Firefighter Evan Buckley, Squad Company 9, Austin 126

"Been tryin' to change my ways. Trouble, don't you come my way."

***

"That's what we promised each other when it came to this, right? Us against the world?"

Kara Killmer as Paramedic Captain Sylvie Brett, EMS 99, Austin 126

"Have a little mercy on me. Trouble, don't you come my way."

***

"I drained myself to save my sister from a son of a bitch who decided he had a right to play God. I will gladly prosecute anyone who tries to do the same as him."

Hugh Dancy as Executive Assistant District Attorney Nolan Price, Manhattan District Attorney's Office

"Trouble, don't you come my way. No, no, not today."

***

"I got a big pair of shoes to fill and a big name to follow. No pressure, you know?"

Jesse Spencer as Captain Matt Casey, Ladder Company 126, Austin 126

"Oh, no, not today. Trouble, don't you come my way."

***

"Oh, the day it ever dies is the day I eat the rig. Yes, Marjan, I expect you to film that."

Taylor Kinney as Captain Kelly Severide, Squad Company 9, Austin 126

"Don't ya come my way. Don't come my way."

***

"Not an easy thing when all you can do is ride out the storm, is it?"

Ryan Guzman as Paramedic Eddie Diaz, EMS 99, Austin 126

"Trouble, don't you come my way. Don't come my way."

***

"Can we please leave the mother henning to the actual mothers?"

Rafael Silva as Officer Carlos Reyes, Austin Police Department

"No, no, not today. Trouble, don't you come my way."

***

"As I recall, DA McCoy's words were 'the Three Musketeers, together again.'"

Mariska Hargitay as Captain Olivia Benson, Manhattan Special Victims Unit, New York Police Department

"Whoa, whoa, don't come my way."

***

"I think Ranger Reyes actually looks a little timid. Should we be preening or insulted by that?"

Christopher Meloni as Detective Elliot Stabler, Organized Crime Control Bureau, New York Police Department

"Trouble, don't you come my way. Whoa, whoa."