5 Things To Remember Before Chicago PD Season 12 Winter 2025 Return

Following a short winter break, Chicago PD resumes in early 2025, and there are a few developments from season 12’s first half that fans should keep in mind heading into the midseason premiere. The NBC police procedural series revolves around the Intelligence Unit of the Chicago Police Department, led by Jason Beghe’s Hank Voight. While the team has changed over the seasons, a few members have remained (like Voight). Unfortunately, though, season 12 had to make some changes to Intelligence’s makeup after Tracy Spiridakos’ Hailey Upton left after Chicago PD season 11.

Aside from cast changes, Chicago PD season 12 has also featured the group facing dangerous threats, both inside and outside the CPD. So, heading into the back half of the season, Intelligence has many obstacles to overcome. The upcoming episodes will also introduce new conflicts, relationship problems, a highly anticipated One Chicago crossover event, and more, keeping viewers engaged until the Chicago PD season 12 finale in the spring.

5. Kiana Cook Joined Intelligence After Martel’s Death

Cook Is Intelligence’s Newest Member In Chicago PD Season 12

Following Spiridakos’ exit, someone had to take her place in the Chicago PD cast, which ended up being Toya Turner’s Kiana Cook. At the beginning of the season 12 premiere, it appeared as if Emily Martel, played by Victoria Cartagena, would replace Upton. She was the new detective in the Intelligence Unit, so, her status as Upton’s successor made sense. However, the Chicago PD season 12 premiere ended in tragedy when Martel was killed. One episode later, though, Cook entered the picture and quickly secured her spot in Intelligence as an officer.

Since then, Cook has been integrating well with the team. She has formed a bond with Dante Torres (which is on the rocks following the fall finale). Cook has also proven herself to be a good cop (despite one mess-up in episode 7). However, she has only been with the Intelligence Unit for a handful of episodes, meaning there is much more room for growth for Cook as Chicago PD season 12 continues.

4. Burgess Replaced Upton In Intelligence

Burgess Passed The Detective Exam

Upton’s true replacement in Chicago PD season 12 ended up being Marina Squerciati’s Kim Burgess. Burgess took the detective test in episode 6 and passed, resulting in her promotion from officer to detective. She also had to shadow Detective Suarez to prove that she was ready to take the next step in her career. While Suarez didn’t believe Burgess should be promoted, Deputy Chief Charlie Reid thought otherwise and assigned her back to Intelligence as a detective.

At first, the episode made it seem as if Burgess would be assigned elsewhere and leave Intelligence in Chicago PD season 12. However, Reid purposefully brought her back to her team. He likely had an ulterior motive to do so, but fans will have to wait to learn more about Reid and his seemingly nefarious plans.

3. Chapman Confessed Her Feelings For Voight

Chapman Left After Chicago PD Season 12, Episode 4

Towards the end of Chicago PD season 12, episode 4, Nina Chapman, the Assistant State Attorney, told Voight that she had feelings for him, leaving him stunned. It had been obvious to many that Voight and Chapman shared chemistry in Chicago PD, but the idea of a romance had never been spoken out loud before. Chapman left before Voight could even respond. Unfortunately, she hasn’t been seen since she walked out on Voight in episode 4.

Chapman traveled to Denver to work on an FBI case, and as of Chicago PD season 12, episode 8, she has yet to return. Hopefully, when Chapman comes back to Chicago, she and Voight can have a talk about what happened in episode 4. In all of Chicago PD‘s 12 seasons, Voight has never had a love interest, and it’s about time he got a little romance in his life. When asked about Voight and Chapman’s future, showrunner Gwen Sigan told Parade:

“Her leaving now actually gives us a nice period of time for him to process some of it, and in a Voight way because he’s not the best at processing emotion. So, it’ll be interesting. By the time she comes back, I think he’s going to be yearning for that confidante and that friend back, at least. And then to see how that develops and what that has been doing in his head and churning around, that she admitted this thing and then left is fun and different for us.”

2 . Gloria Died During The Midseason Finale

Torres Held Gloria In His Arms While She Bled Out

One of the biggest developments in the fall finale of Chicago PD season 12 was Gloria Perez’s death. Torres got involved with Gloria, the wife of Rafael Perez (a drug lord), while he was working undercover to take down her husband in season 11. Their relationship turned romantic, which significantly impacted both of their lives. It was quite illegal for Torres to engage in sexual matters with the wife of the drug lord his team was targeting, but he was still able to turn Gloria into a confidential informant (CI).

When Chicago PD season 11 ended, it seemed as if that would be the last Torres and the audience would see of Gloria. However, she returned in season 12, still involved with Rafael’s gang. While Torres tried to protect Gloria (and their secret), their story ultimately ended in tragedy when she was shot and killed during season 12’s fall finale. Torres held her in his arms while she died, and Gloria’s last words were that she and Torres were the same.

1. Reid Threatened Voight At The End Of Chicago PD Season 12, Episode 8

Reid Knows The Truth Behind Gloria’s Case

Although Chicago PD season 12, episode 8 ended with Gloria’s death, it appeared as if that story was over. Reid ensured that wasn’t the case, though. He met with Voight in his office, where the deputy chief told him that he knew about Torres and Gloria’s illegal relationship and how Burgess covered for Torres. Voight questioned Reid why he was there instead of informing Internal Affairs of the situation. Reid explained that he wanted to use this information differently. He told Voight, “I’d like you and I to be friends,” suggesting Reid wanted to blackmail him and Intelligence in Chicago PD season 12.