If you’re a fan of Chicago P.D., then you probably know Jason Beghe as the intense, no-nonsense Sergeant Hank Voight. Over the years, Beghe has delivered countless unforgettable moments—ruthless interrogations, heartfelt confessions, and everything in between. But when he recently revealed his all-time favorite episode, fans were left completely stunned. Spoiler alert: it’s not one of the explosive shootouts or high-stakes takedowns.
So, what episode did he choose—and why? Let’s break it down.
💥 Why This Reveal Matters to Chicago P.D. Fans
It Challenges Expectations
Most people expected Beghe to pick an action-heavy episode, maybe one packed with SWAT raids or dramatic chases. But his choice proves that for him, it’s not just about bullets flying—it’s about depth, character, and meaning.
It Sheds Light on Voight’s Complexity
Beghe’s favorite episode says a lot about how he sees Voight—not just as a law enforcer, but as a human being with moral conflict, emotional pain, and personal history.
🎬 The Big Reveal: Beghe’s Favorite Episode Is…
“Start Digging” (Season 3 Finale)
Yes, you read that right. Jason Beghe’s top pick is “Start Digging”, the emotional rollercoaster that ends Season 3 with a bang—and a whole lot of heartache.
🧠 What Makes “Start Digging” So Special?
The Emotional Weight of the Storyline
In this episode, Voight’s world collapses when his son, Justin, is brutally attacked and left in critical condition. The usually stoic Voight finally lets his walls down—and the raw emotion Beghe pours into this role is staggering.
A Deep Dive Into Voight’s Humanity
This isn’t about the job. It’s about a father’s pain. Voight’s anguish is something every parent can relate to, and it turns him into a ticking time bomb.
🎭 Jason Beghe’s Performance: Beyond Brilliant
It Wasn’t Acting—It Was Personal
Beghe has mentioned in interviews that filming “Start Digging” was one of the hardest experiences of his career. The pain, rage, and heartbreak were so real that they blurred the line between performance and reality.
Channeling Real-Life Emotions
To make Voight’s reaction authentic, Beghe reportedly drew from personal losses and emotional memories. It shows.
💔 Justin’s Fate: The Turning Point
From Hope to Despair
Justin initially survives the attack, giving Voight a glimmer of hope. But as his condition worsens, Beghe’s face tells the story—a man losing his grip on the one thing that mattered more than the job.
The Heartbreaking Goodbye
Voight is faced with a decision no parent should ever make: pulling his son off life support. The silence in that scene screams louder than any gunshot in the show’s history.
🔫 The Revenge Plot: Voight Unleashed
Old-School Justice
Voight doesn’t wait for the legal system. Instead, he takes matters into his own hands—true Voight style. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s terrifying.
The Graveyard Scene: A Masterclass in Acting
The final moment—Voight alone at a secret burial site, his eyes filled with pain and fury—is one of the most iconic scenes in Chicago P.D. history. Beghe owns every second of it.
🧠 Behind the Scenes: How the Episode Was Made
The Writing Was Top-Tier
Writers Matt Olmstead and Michael Brandt crafted a tight, emotionally driven script that felt less like a cop show and more like a tragic drama.
Directorial Genius
Director Mark Tinker used close-ups and muted color grading to emphasize the emotional gravity of each scene. This episode looked and felt different—intentionally.
🎤 What Jason Beghe Said About It
“It Changed How I See Voight Forever”
In a recent interview, Beghe explained,
“That episode showed me that Voight is more than a cop. He’s a father, a broken man, and someone who walks the edge between justice and vengeance.”
A Personal Milestone
Beghe has called this performance one of his career-defining moments, even comparing it to major roles in his earlier film and TV work.
🌍 The Fan Reaction: Goosebumps and Tears
Social Media Erupted
After the episode aired, hashtags like #JusticeForJustin and #VoightUnleashed trended across Twitter and Reddit.
A Cult Favorite Was Born
To this day, “Start Digging” remains one of the highest-rated episodes on fan review sites and is often rewatched for its emotional gravity.
📺 Why This Episode Stands the Test of Time
It’s Not Just Crime Drama—It’s Tragedy
What makes Chicago P.D. great isn’t just the action—it’s the human stories behind the badge. “Start Digging” is a perfect example.
Voight’s Character Arc Reaches a Climax
This was the moment where everything changed for Voight. It shaped how he’d approach justice, revenge, and loyalty in future seasons.
🔥 Other Episodes Fans Thought He’d Choose (But Didn’t)
“Justice” (Season 4, Episode 1)
A courtroom thriller packed with tension.
“Reform” (Season 5, Episode 1)
A deep dive into police brutality and moral gray areas.
“No Regrets” (Season 8, Episode 10)
Where Voight questions if his style of policing still belongs in modern society.
But none of those matched the raw intensity and emotional truth of “Start Digging.”
Conclusion: A Surprising, Yet Perfect Choice
Jason Beghe could have picked any episode full of explosions, shootouts, or police heroics. Instead, he chose one that stripped away the badge and showed us the man underneath—a father, a fighter, a flawed but fiercely loyal human being.
“Start Digging” isn’t just a standout episode. It’s a heart-wrenching masterpiece that redefined what Chicago P.D. could be.
