Chicago P.D. is gearing up for its highly anticipated 12th season on NBC this fall, and fans should prepare for some major shifts in the show’s dynamic.
Following the departure of two key characters in back-to-back seasons, the landscape of Chicago’s 21st District Intelligence Unit is about to look quite different. After losing Jesse Lee Soffer’s beloved character, Jay Halstead, in Season 10, viewers now face another emotional goodbye as Hailey Upton, portrayed by Tracy Spiridakos, steps away from the team.
These departures have left a significant impact on the show, and for the second season in a row, the remaining characters are forced to adapt, especially Sergeant Hank Voight, whose journey has been at the emotional core of the series since its inception. Voight’s evolving persona, once hardened and morally ambiguous, has shifted as he navigates the loss of those closest to him. As showrunner Gwen Sigan explained in an exclusive interview with Parade, the upcoming season will explore Voight’s increasingly vulnerable side, as well as the ways in which other characters are on the verge of making life-altering decisions.
“I think the thing I’m most excited about right now is all of our characters are set up to go one of two ways, you know?” Sigan shared. “Especially Voight. We’ve got Voight to this place where he’s lost Upton, Upton’s left, and we’ve seen that he’s become a lot more vulnerable; he’s become a lot more open.”
Sigan’s insight into Voight’s character development suggests that the moral and ethical dilemmas the team faces will remain central to the storytelling. For years, Voight has operated in the gray areas of law enforcement, walking a tightrope between justice and vigilantism. This upcoming season promises to deepen that exploration, particularly as the Intelligence Unit grapples with internal challenges and external pressures.
Since its premiere in January 2014, Chicago P.D. has not only captured the adrenaline and intensity of law enforcement in one of the nation’s largest cities but has also sought to reflect the broader societal conversations surrounding policing. The show has continuously evolved to mirror the changing dynamics within the law enforcement community, especially in response to ongoing cultural shifts. According to Sigan, this balancing act will continue into the new season.
“You want to be responsible always,” Sigan emphasized. “I think that’s the most important thing. And then for us, we try hard not to preach, we try really hard not to be overly political. We want to show as much as we can, things as they are, and just show the mass number of complications.”
Sigan’s remarks underscore the complexity of the subject matter. Rather than offering simplistic narratives of good versus evil, Chicago P.D. thrives in the gray areas, where ethical quandaries take center stage. This season, viewers can expect even more nuanced storylines that delve into the cost of the job and the emotional toll that police officers bear. “You want it to be black and white and it never is,” she added. “It’s always this mixture of gray. The show lives in the cost of what this job does, and in the dilemmas, and the moral-ethical quandaries that the show brings up.”
With the departure of key figures like Halstead and Upton, Season 12 presents a unique opportunity to introduce new characters and explore fresh dynamics within the Intelligence Unit. While details remain under wraps, it has been confirmed that new cast members will join the show, likely filling the void left by Upton’s exit. These new additions will bring their own skill sets and personalities to the team, creating both tension and camaraderie as they integrate into the tight-knit group.
Voight’s vulnerability, which has become more pronounced in recent seasons, is set to take center stage as he contemplates the future of his unit and his own leadership. How he copes with this internal struggle, while still managing the immense responsibilities of leading his team, will be a central focus of the season. Fans are eager to see whether Voight will soften further or whether these challenges will push him back into the dark, morally gray territory he once occupied.
With the departure of familiar faces, the introduction of new characters, and the promise of intense personal and professional challenges, Chicago P.D. is poised to deliver another season packed with high-stakes drama. The show’s ability to explore the human side of policing—without shying away from the difficult realities—has always been one of its strengths. Season 12 will undoubtedly continue to push the boundaries of storytelling, offering viewers a deeper look into the emotional cost of law enforcement in today’s world.
As the Intelligence Unit moves forward, both veteran characters and newcomers will face tough choices that test their loyalties, their ethics, and their relationships. With its characteristic blend of pulse-pounding action and thought-provoking dilemmas, Chicago P.D. promises a season full of twists, turns, and unforgettable moments.
