When it comes to high-stakes drama and gritty storytelling, Chicago P.D. continues to deliver season after season. But as the show enters its twelfth installment, Showrunner Gwen Sigan is making it clear: this won’t just be another year on the job for the Intelligence Unit. In an exclusive reveal, Sigan is teasing a “Season of Identity” — a deeply personal, character-driven chapter that promises emotional growth, shifting alliances, and stunning new dynamics.
So, what exactly does a “Season of Identity” mean for our favorite cops? According to Sigan, it’s about exploring who these characters are beyond the badge, especially after years of physical and emotional scars, near-death experiences, and moral compromises. “We wanted to take a step back and ask, ‘Who are they now? What do they believe in after everything they’ve been through?’” Sigan said. “This season is about self-examination, change, and redefining what justice means to each of them.”
Voight at a Crossroads
It’s impossible to talk about identity without diving into the ever-complex Sergeant Hank Voight, played with gravitas by Jason Beghe. Voight has long walked the razor’s edge between enforcer and protector, but Sigan hints that his foundation is beginning to crack. “Voight is facing the weight of his legacy,” she explains. “There’s a sense of reckoning. For the first time, we’ll see him question whether his methods have done more harm than good.” A new addition to the unit — a by-the-book officer with zero tolerance for Voight’s infamous rule-bending — will only add fuel to the fire. “This dynamic challenges everything Voight stands for,” Sigan teases. “And it could shift the power structure of the unit in ways viewers aren’t expecting.”
Kim Burgess and the Search for Stability
After surviving a harrowing ordeal last season, Kim Burgess (Marina Squerciati) is entering uncharted emotional territory. Sigan describes her as someone who’s “rebuilding — as a mother, a detective, and a survivor.” Expect to see Kim reckon with what she wants both personally and professionally, especially as her relationship with Ruzek (Patrick John Flueger) enters a more serious stage. But don’t expect things to be smooth sailing. “There’s love there, but also trauma,” Sigan notes. “The question is whether they can move forward without being haunted by the past.”
A Spotlight on Atwater
LaRoyce Hawkins’ Kevin Atwater is also stepping into the spotlight this season in a major way. Long celebrated by fans for his moral compass and quiet strength, Atwater is being positioned to lead in a whole new capacity. “He’s emerging as the heart of the unit,” Sigan shares. “This season, we really dig into his identity as a Black man in law enforcement. His voice is going to be more powerful, and he’ll be taking stances that may ruffle feathers — inside and outside the team.” Expect Atwater’s storyline to feature pressing social issues and highlight the modern complexities of policing in a divided city.
The Newcomers Shake Things Up
In true Chicago P.D. fashion, fresh faces are also entering the mix — and not everyone will be warmly welcomed. One particular addition is said to be “unapologetically idealistic,” creating sharp contrast with the team’s seasoned pragmatism. “This character doesn’t carry the same scars as the others,” Sigan says. “And that becomes both a strength and a liability. The Intelligence Unit has a way of changing people — and we’ll see if this newcomer changes the unit first.” Rumors are already swirling about a potential romantic spark involving one of the new characters, but Sigan remains coy: “Let’s just say viewers should keep an eye on every interaction.”
Themes of Redemption and Consequence
More than ever, Season 12 is about choices — and what happens after the badge is removed at the end of the day. Sigan explains that the show is placing greater emphasis on the psychological consequences of the work these officers do. “These characters aren’t superheroes,” she emphasizes. “They’re flawed. They carry guilt, anger, doubt. We’re leaning into that emotional realism more than ever.” In that spirit, expect more stand-alone episodes focusing on a single character’s journey, which has been a hit with fans in past seasons. “It allows us to go deep,” Sigan notes. “And in a season about identity, that depth is everything.”
A New Era for Chicago P.D.
While longtime fans may worry about changes disrupting the formula, Sigan assures that the show’s core — tight action sequences, moral gray zones, and gripping character arcs — remains intact. But she also sees Season 12 as a fresh chapter, one that respects the past while taking bold steps into the future. “There’s something really powerful about a series in its twelfth season still willing to evolve,” she says. “We’re not coasting. We’re digging deeper.” And judging by the early buzz and sneak peeks, that depth could lead to one of the most compelling Chicago P.D. seasons yet.
