The Chicago P.D. fandom is in mourning once again, and this time, the heartbreak runs deeper than usual. As news broke that a beloved main cast member is leaving ahead of Season 13, fans around the world were left reeling. Social media exploded with emotional messages, disbelief, and one overwhelming sentiment: “This makes zero sense.”
While the One Chicago franchise has weathered its fair share of cast departures over the years, this latest one has hit a nerve. The character in question wasn’t just part of the furniture — they were a core part of the show’s heartbeat, someone viewers had watched evolve over multiple seasons, forming relationships, facing life-or-death situations, and carrying some of the series’ most emotional arcs.
A History of Unforgettable Moments
Part of what makes this loss so devastating is just how much the character meant to the show. From their earliest episodes, they brought emotional depth, moral complexity, and humanity to a unit that often walks the line between justice and vengeance.
They survived shootouts, saved teammates, endured betrayal, and fought personal demons. They had romantic storylines that fans rooted for, rivalries that kept the drama compelling, and a moral compass that sometimes clashed with Voight’s rougher methods — all of which made the series richer.
This wasn’t a side character. This was someone who mattered.
The Cast Reacts: A Family Torn Apart
Current cast members didn’t hide their emotions either. In emotional Instagram posts and cryptic tweets, it became clear just how tight-knit the Chicago P.D. cast really is—and how painful this goodbye has been behind the scenes.
Marina Squerciati (Kim Burgess) shared a behind-the-scenes photo with the caption:
“My heart hurts. Saying goodbye to this one is not easy. Love you always.”
Jason Beghe (Hank Voight) simply posted a black-and-white photo of the entire Intelligence Unit, captioned with a broken heart emoji.
These messages confirmed what fans already knew: this wasn’t just a co-star leaving. This was a friend, a teammate, a part of the show’s DNA.
What Does This Mean for Season 13?
The departure leaves a gaping hole in the already-shifting dynamics of the Intelligence Unit. With Halstead already gone, Upton’s future uncertain, and Voight aging into a potential transition period, the team is in flux.
Writers now face the challenge of explaining the exit in a way that feels authentic. Will the character be transferred, killed off, or quietly written out? Will they get an emotional goodbye, or will viewers be forced to fill in the blanks through vague dialogue?
Showrunner Gwen Sigan hasn’t revealed much but hinted that the exit will be “addressed quickly and with weight” in the new season. Still, that may not be enough to satisfy a fanbase demanding answers—and closure.
Fan Campaigns and Petitions Begin
The fandom isn’t going down without a fight. Within hours of the announcement, fan petitions began circulating, urging NBC to reverse the decision or at least give the character a more satisfying farewell. One Change.org petition titled “Bring Back [Character Name] to Chicago P.D.” garnered over 15,000 signatures in its first 48 hours. Another online campaign, using the hashtag #JusticeFor[CharacterName], began trending on X (formerly Twitter) within a day. “This isn’t just a character,” one fan wrote. “They were the emotional anchor of the show. We deserve a proper goodbye.”
Is Anyone Safe in the ‘One Chicago’ Universe?
In recent years, One Chicago has gone through a wave of cast turnovers. Chicago Fire said goodbye to several fan favorites, and Chicago Med has been in constant rotation with new faces. But the departures from Chicago P.D. hit differently. The show relies heavily on its core team chemistry — and when that balance is broken, the whole narrative structure wobbles.
It’s clear the show is in transition. Perhaps NBC is looking to inject new blood or pivot toward a younger cast. But doing so at the cost of well-loved, emotionally resonant characters may not be the win they think it is.
There’s a difference between natural evolution and creative whiplash. Right now, it feels like the latter.
Can the Show Recover?
Chicago P.D. has weathered storms before. The death of Alvin Olinsky. The exit of Erin Lindsay. The recent departure of Jay Halstead. Each time, the show found a way to recalibrate and move forward. But there’s only so much loss a fanbase can absorb before fatigue sets in. The key to surviving this latest blow? Honesty, emotional writing, and a clear sense of direction. Viewers want to feel that their loyalty is rewarded with good storytelling—not sudden blindsides. If the writers can weave this departure into a meaningful arc—one that respects the character’s legacy and gives the team room to grow—it could work. But if it’s swept under the rug, the backlash may linger into the season and beyond.
More than just another cast shakeup, this exit feels like the end of an era for Chicago P.D. It reminds fans that in this ever-evolving TV landscape, no one is safe—not even the characters we’ve cried with, cheered for, and grown up alongside. Whether or not the show can regain its emotional footing remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the fans won’t forget this one. And unless Season 13 brings something truly spectacular, this loss will cast a long shadow over everything that follows.
