After twelve seasons of high-stakes investigations and personal sacrifices, NBC’s Chicago P.D. is gearing up for one of its boldest storylines yet. The hit police drama closed its twelfth season with a seismic twist: the disbanding of the Intelligence Unit. Now, as Season 13 approaches, the series is set to explore the fallout from that shocking development and the uphill battle faced by Sergeant Hank Voight and his team as they fight to reunite.
The conclusion of Season 12 left fans reeling as the unit, long considered the backbone of the show, was fractured by circumstances beyond the characters’ control. For years, the Intelligence Unit has been defined by its loyalty, resourcefulness, and resilience under Voight’s morally ambiguous leadership. With its members stripped of their badges and separated from one another, the stakes have never been higher.
In a recent interview, Jason Beghe, who has anchored the series as Voight since its 2014 debut, revealed that the consequences of losing the badge will weigh heavily on key characters. “People like Burgess and Torres are feeling the pressure,” Beghe explained. “They’re being punished for something they didn’t do, and that sense of injustice is going to drive a lot of the season.” This storyline promises to give audiences a more intimate look at the psychological and emotional toll of being sidelined, even for officers who have dedicated their lives to the job.
Adding to the intrigue, showrunner Gwen Sigan has teased that Season 13 will feature Voight aligning with an “unexpected ally” to fight crime and attempt to restore the unit. While details remain under wraps, this revelation suggests a major shake-up in the show’s dynamic. Fans can expect Voight to leverage his signature mix of grit, cunning, and questionable methods in order to achieve his goal. At the same time, the introduction of a new ally raises questions about trust, loyalty, and the potential for future conflicts within the team.
The disbanding of the Intelligence Unit also opens the door to compelling arcs for individual characters. Kim Burgess, who has endured more than her share of trauma, may find herself struggling with the loss of her identity as a detective. Meanwhile, Torres, one of the newer additions to the team, could face his greatest test yet in proving his worth without the shield of the badge. These struggles highlight a recurring theme of Chicago P.D.: the sacrifices made in the name of justice are rarely without consequence.
As part of NBC’s One Chicago universe, Chicago P.D. Season 13 has the potential to expand its storytelling beyond its core cast, possibly pulling in connections from Chicago Fire and Chicago Med. With the Intelligence Unit in disarray, allies—and enemies—could emerge from unexpected corners.
For nearly a decade, Chicago P.D. has thrived by blending action-driven cases with deeply human stories. Season 13 looks to continue that tradition, but with a fresh twist that challenges everything fans thought they knew about the Intelligence Unit. The disbandment may be temporary, but the journey to reclaim what was lost promises to be one of the most gripping chapters in the show’s history.
