Chicago P.D. Season 10 officially premiered on Wednesday, September 21, 2022, at 10 p.m. ET on NBC. Keeping its place in the network’s iconic “One Chicago” Wednesday lineup, the show aired immediately after Chicago Med and Chicago Fire. The season ran for a total of 22 episodes, concluding on May 24, 2023.
Leading the team once again was Jason Beghe as Sgt. Hank Voight, the complex and often controversial head of the Intelligence Unit. Tracy Spiridakos continued her role as Det. Hailey Upton, Voight’s trusted ally and a central character throughout the season. One of the biggest changes was the exit of Jesse Lee Soffer, who played Det. Jay Halstead. After nine seasons on the show, Soffer departed in Episode 3, “A Good Man.” His character left the Intelligence Unit and moved to Bolivia to work on military operations—a decision that shocked both fans and the characters in the show, especially his wife, Hailey Upton. Soffer’s final scenes were emotionally charged, serving as a respectful and bittersweet farewell.
Season 10 didn’t waste any time diving into emotionally complex storylines and gritty criminal cases. The season opened with Voight grappling with the fallout of informant Anna Avalos’s death. This trauma weighed heavily on him, leading to moments of vulnerability and a renewed sense of vengeance that colored many of his decisions. One of the standout episodes, “A Good Man,” featured Halstead’s departure. After killing a suspect to protect a fellow officer, Halstead decided he couldn’t continue working in gray areas. His choice to leave both the unit and the country added a new emotional weight to Upton’s storyline, as she struggled to fill the void left by her husband’s absence.
Torres’s rise within the team also provided standout moments. In Episode 4, “Dónde Vives,” Torres is forced to confront the violence and moral ambiguity of his former neighborhood when a case hits too close to home. This episode solidified his place in the squad and highlighted the complexity of being both an officer and a product of the streets he now polices. Elsewhere, Atwater faced his own challenges. In one episode, he finds himself under fire after an arrest gone wrong results in the suspect’s death. The episode tackled issues of racial bias, media scrutiny, and the psychological toll of being a Black officer in today’s climate.
The Burgess-Ruzek relationship, affectionately known to fans as “Burzek,” also took center stage. After years of an on-again, off-again dynamic, the two began rebuilding trust through therapy and co-parenting their adopted daughter, Makayla. Episode 17, “Out of the Depths,” became a fan-favorite as it marked the emotional reconnection between the pair. The season’s final episodes ramped up the tension. The Intelligence Unit uncovered a dangerous domestic terrorist group, culminating in an explosive season finale. In Episode 22, “A Better Place,” the squad raced against the clock to prevent a mass attack orchestrated by the Beck family—a chilling, white supremacist cell posing one of the biggest threats the team had faced.
Before the season aired, NBC released an official trailer teasing high-stakes action and emotional drama. Voight’s narration hinted at a season filled with blurred lines between justice and revenge, while Torres and Upton were prominently featured as major players in the team’s evolving dynamic. Quick cuts showed gunfights, emotional breakdowns, and a team more fractured than ever before. The trailer successfully drummed up anticipation, especially with glimpses of Halstead’s departure and the emergence of new villains. Fans speculated online about Torres’s expanded role and whether Upton could remain emotionally stable after losing her partner.
Season 10 was met with largely positive reviews. Critics praised the writers for taking bold steps, especially with Halstead’s departure, and for spotlighting newer characters like Torres. Benjamin Levy Aguilar was widely applauded for bringing emotional depth and a fresh point of view. Fans on social media expressed mixed emotions about Halstead’s exit—some were heartbroken, others appreciated the realism of his decision. Meanwhile, the growing chemistry between Burgess and Ruzek delighted longtime shippers, and many considered their scenes among the best of the season.
With Season 10 concluded, NBC confirmed Chicago P.D. had been renewed for additional seasons. Season 11, though delayed due to industry strikes, resumed in 2024, with even more changes in store. Tracy Spiridakos is expected to leave during Season 11, opening the door for new characters to take the lead. As for Benjamin Levy Aguilar, his promotion seems to be only the beginning. Torres’s character arc is far from over, and fans are eager to see where his journey within the Intelligence Unit will take him.
