Chicago P.D. gears up for its highly anticipated Season 13, speculation is swirling about returning characters and fresh storylines. While many fans continue to clamor for the return of Jesse Lee Soffer’s Jay Halstead, there’s another character whose absence has left an equally deep mark on the Intelligence Unit — and whose return could inject powerful emotional depth, narrative closure, and nostalgic impact. That character? Alvin Olinsky.
Portrayed by the brilliant Elias Koteas, Detective Alvin Olinsky was one of the original and most emotionally grounded members of Voight’s team. He brought a gritty, streetwise sensibility to the series, balanced with a heart of gold and unwavering loyalty. His brutal and unjust death in Season 5 left fans devastated — and left Voight reeling. Years later, that wound still lingers in the show’s tone, and Season 13 might just be the perfect time to finally revisit Olinsky’s legacy in a meaningful way.
Unlike Halstead, who left the team voluntarily and is technically still alive in the show’s universe, Olinsky was killed off in a storyline that many fans believe was rushed and unceremonious. Framed and imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit, Olinsky was stabbed in jail and died shortly after. It was a gut punch not just for Voight, who viewed him as a brother, but for viewers who had grown attached to the grizzled yet compassionate detective over five seasons.
While Chicago P.D. has never shied away from loss, Olinsky’s departure left emotional and narrative threads hanging. Voight, a man known for burying his emotions, never truly got closure. The show moved forward, but a sense of incompleteness remained. And that’s precisely why bringing Olinsky back — even in a flashback, hallucination, or undercover subplot twist — would be so impactful.
Imagine a moment where Voight, pushed to the brink once again, sees Olinsky in a dream or vision. It could provide an opportunity for introspection, a reckoning with his past decisions, and a chance for the show to honor one of its most important foundational characters. With so many ghosts in Voight’s closet, none loom larger than Alvin’s. There’s also the unique emotional connection Olinsky had with the rest of the team. He wasn’t just Voight’s right hand — he was a mentor figure, a steady presence, and a man whose wisdom often cut through the chaos. For longtime fans, seeing even a glimpse of Olinsky again would serve as a powerful callback to the early years of the show, when the team was raw, tight-knit, and still building its legacy.
And let’s not forget Elias Koteas himself — an actor whose nuanced performance brought complexity to a character that could have easily become a cliché. Koteas played Olinsky with quiet strength, often saying more in a look than others did in a monologue. His chemistry with Jason Beghe (Voight) was magnetic, and their scenes together were some of the show’s most emotionally layered. In many ways, Chicago P.D. has evolved. New characters have joined the squad, and the dynamics have shifted. But as the series enters its 13th season, there’s a growing appetite to honor its roots. Viewers aren’t just looking for high-stakes cases — they’re craving emotional payoff, deeper continuity, and callbacks to the characters who shaped the Intelligence Unit into what it is today.
Of course, there are logistical challenges to bringing back a character who’s been confirmed dead. But Chicago P.D. has pulled off surprising narrative moves before — from dramatic returns to cleverly placed flashbacks that offer closure or insight. Even a brief appearance in a Voight-focused episode, framed as a memory or internal conversation, could be enough to leave fans talking for weeks. Season 13 has a rare opportunity: it can connect the past and present in a way that feels earned and emotionally satisfying. Bringing back Olinsky — even for a single scene — would not only honor his character but give both Voight and the audience a long overdue moment of catharsis.
In recent interviews, showrunner Gwen Sigan hinted at exploring deeper character arcs and tapping into Voight’s personal history. If there was ever a time to revisit the most painful loss of his life, this is it. So while fans may still hope for Jay Halstead’s triumphant return, it’s Alvin Olinsky who truly deserves another moment in the spotlight. Not just because we miss him, but because the story needs him. His absence has been felt for five seasons. It’s time for Chicago P.D. to bring Olinsky home — even if only in memory.
