The Chicago P.D. fandom is still reeling after confirmation that Toya Turner, who made a powerful impression in her debut season, is exiting the show ahead of Season 13. Introduced in Season 12 as Detective Jo Martinez, Turner’s character quickly earned the respect of both the Intelligence Unit and fans with her no-nonsense attitude, military background, and principled approach to justice. But just as her arc was starting to deepen, her time on the series has come to an abrupt end.
The departure, first reported earlier this month, marks yet another major cast change for the long-running NBC police drama. With Season 13 on the horizon and several veteran characters also having exited in recent years, Turner’s exit raises questions about the show’s future direction and what this means for the team dynamic.
When Jo Martinez joined the Intelligence Unit in Season 12, it didn’t take long for audiences to take notice. With a background in military intelligence and a commitment to methodical investigation, Martinez brought a refreshing new energy to the team. She was the kind of detective who preferred strategy over brute force and didn’t hesitate to challenge Voight when she felt moral lines were being crossed. Her presence helped balance out the intense, often rule-bending methods of the team’s leadership, and she formed an especially intriguing dynamic with Hailey Upton and Kevin Atwater. Though her screen time was limited compared to some of the long-term cast members, Turner’s portrayal of Jo felt authentic, grounded, and purposeful.
Industry insiders, however, suggest that the decision may have stemmed from creative redirection. According to several reports, the show’s producers felt that Season 13 needed to refocus on the remaining original characters, especially following Tracy Spiridakos’s (Hailey Upton) upcoming departure. Others believe that Turner may be leaving to pursue new opportunities outside the franchise. After her breakout performance in Warrior Nun, Turner’s profile has been on the rise, and it’s possible that she is pivoting toward roles that offer her more screen time and central storytelling focus.
Since Season 12 ended without any clear hints of Martinez’s departure, fans are now speculating about how the show will handle her absence. Will she be transferred to another department? Take on a federal assignment? Leave the force entirely? There’s always the Chicago P.D. trademark exit route — an off-screen reassignment — but viewers are hoping for something more thoughtful, especially given Martinez’s potential. “She deserves an exit that reflects her strength and intelligence,” one Twitter user wrote. “Not just a throwaway line in the season premiere.”
Toya Turner’s exit is just the latest in a series of cast changes that have shaken the core of Chicago P.D. over the past few seasons. The departure of Jesse Lee Soffer (Jay Halstead) and the announced exit of Tracy Spiridakos (Hailey Upton) have left the show in a period of transition. With Jason Beghe’s Hank Voight still anchoring the team, the show seems poised to either double down on legacy characters or pivot toward new energy entirely. The challenge, of course, is retaining audience loyalty amid such frequent changes. While new characters bring opportunities for growth, long-time viewers often crave stability — a connection to familiar faces and long-running story arcs.
Though her Chicago P.D. journey may be over, Toya Turner’s career is far from slowing down. With her commanding presence, sharp delivery, and wide emotional range, she’s reportedly in talks for multiple high-profile projects. Whispers of her return to genre television, perhaps in a new lead role, have already begun circulating. And with the Warrior Nun film revival on the horizon, Turner’s name is likely to stay in the spotlight — and perhaps even reach new heights.
As Chicago P.D. prepares to enter Season 13, all eyes are on how the show will evolve without key players like Jo Martinez and soon, Hailey Upton. Will the writers introduce a new character to fill the gap? Or will the focus shift back to mainstays like Voight, Ruzek, Atwater, and Burgess? The show has weathered many cast changes in the past, and its gritty tone and layered storytelling continue to draw strong ratings. Still, fans will undoubtedly feel the loss of Jo Martinez — a character who, despite limited time, made a lasting impact.
Toya Turner’s abrupt departure from Chicago P.D. may be a creative decision, but it leaves behind a noticeable void. Detective Jo Martinez brought strength, nuance, and a refreshing balance to the Intelligence Unit — and her presence will be sorely missed. Whether her exit is permanent or a pause in an evolving arc remains to be seen. But for now, fans are left reflecting on what could have been — and hoping that Chicago P.D. still has a few surprises left in store.
