Jocelyn Hudon Talks Chicago Fire and Why She Loves Playing Lizzie Novak

Jocelyn Hudon’s favorite thing about playing Lizzie Novak on NBC’s Chicago Fire is the way Novak is “on board” for just about anything. 

After a bit of hesitation, paramedic Lizzie Novak officially joined Firehouse 51, and the character has quickly become a fan favorite.

I recently spoke with Hudon about playing Lizzie, how joining the Firehouse 51 family has shaped her character, and her favorite scene to film so far. (You can watch the full interview below.)

“I think my favorite part of playing Lizzie is she just kind of like, ‘Yes, ands’ everything. She’s just on board, no matter what. If it’s a bad idea, if it’s a good idea, she’s on board,” Hudon began.

Lizzie’s energetic spirit has also had a positive effect on Violet.

“I think Violet’s character went through a lot, and she has a lot of responsibility,” Hudon said. “She’s the PIC. She has a lot riding on her. So I think, having a partner who’s capable, and yet light and funny and supportive, makes for a good duo.”

When we first met Lizzie Novak, she was happy being a floater, but finally decided to settle at Firehouse 51. Being a part of that team has already made an impact on the character. 

“I think she’s just committed more fully. I think, before, she might have had her like fast and loose floater personality on,” Hudon said.

“And then committing and being like, no, this is my family. Now this is where I belong. I’m going to stay. I think it allows her to be a little bit more vulnerable and to trust people. And [to] invest in them and let them invest in her as well.”

Watch the full interview with Jocelyn Hudon:

Speaking of having people invest in her, on Chicago Fire Season 13 Episode 19, Lizzie convinces Ritter to let her move into his spare room and become his roommate, which made for some fun interactions between the two characters.

“Her and his dynamic was great, because there I feel like she pecked her way into his heart,” Hudon said. “I loved that whole episode because it was a lot of Ritter and I being funny and just figuring it out.”

“Lizzie has some balls having a guy over the first night that she moved into this house,” she added, referring to her inviting Jack Damon over for dinner. “I was like, no! But yeah, I mean, that’s her.”

In terms of what we can expect from any romance between Lizzie and Damon, Hudon couldn’t say much, but she also suggested that romance isn’t what Lizzie needs most right now.

“There were people shipping Lizzie and Damon. Then people shipping Lizzie and Frost on Med,” she said. “So I don’t know which way it’s gonna go.”

Some viewers also picked up on chemistry with Dom Pascal, though Hudon said she wasn’t sure if that was intentional. “I don’t know if she’s flirting or just talking to him, or just needs like a father figure, or just needs a friend.”

“The scene where Damon kind of breaks up with her, she’s kind of fine. So I don’t know if she needs a romance from people,” Hudon continued.

“You saw how chill she was when Damon’s like, ‘I can’t be with you,’ and she’s like, ‘That’s fine. Don’t make it weird. We’re cool.’ As long as she has the relationship — I think not even in a romantic way — I think that’s more important to her.”

When asked about the most fun or challenging scene she’s filmed on Chicago Fire so far, the first scene that came to mind for Hudon was the team preventing a man from committing suicide. 

“I liked it because there was a lot of pressure that I put on myself for that, because you’re kind of telling a story that — I don’t fully know the whole background to. So you have to just encompass whatever way the story goes,” she said.

“I also liked it because he actually fell on me! They let me do the stunt. I was like, ‘Yes!’ I love getting to do the stunts.” 

Hudon also hinted that the Chicago Fire season finale will be “suspenseful” and said she’ll also appear on the Chicago Med season finale.

“Med is great. We’re also there a lot. Violet and I, our characters, are always there, bringing people in, taking them out. So I’m like, this is my set, and then all of a sudden, there’s another show on it!” Hudon joked.

“But yeah, it’s great. I feel very at home there. I also love the cast on Med, like Darren [Barnet], Jesse [Shram] — they’re great. I really liked working on Med.”

Chicago Fire airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on NBC.

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