InChicago P.D., Detective Jay Halstead (Jesse Lee Soffer) had an emotional exit from the series after working with Intelligence for nearly 10 seasons. Halstead’s run ends when he takes down a perpetrator involved with pharmacy robberies, forcing Sergeant Hank Voight (Jason Beghe) and Detective Hailey Upton (Tracy Spiridakos) to cover for him.Halstead decides to leave Chicagobecause he is tired of the lies and cover-ups he and his unit have been a part of, believing that serving in the Army again will revitalize his sense of purpose and discipline.
Halstead’s exit left Hailey and the fans emotionally devastated because he was one of the most popular characters amongtheChicago P.D.cast. His departure also leaves Voight and the Intelligence unit with the opportunity to expand on other characters' storylines. However,Soffer has stated that he is open to the possibility of returning toChicago P.D.without interfering with hisnew role inFBI: International, another popular Dick Wolf series. However, were this to happen, it unfortunately, wouldn’t be to the show’s benefit, regardless of what he generally brings to the table.
Soffer’s interest in reprising his Halstead role inChicago P.D.is a welcome sign for fans who believe his last appearance on the show was sudden and controversial. If Halstead were to return to Chicago, his character could receive a concluding storyline, such as working on a special case and giving a proper goodbye to his friends and comrades in Intelligence. Killing off Halstead is another option, but that would be even more controversial because fans want a happy ending for the detective rather than a bleak one.
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A potential Halstead return could also guarantee a reunion with Upton (who left Chicago a year after him), signaling a pathway for both officers to rekindle their relationship. Considering that Soffer and Spiridakos are the only actors to have experience with theOne ChicagoandFBIfranchises, Halstead and Upton could spark a grand reprisal together during a crossover episode betweenChicago P.D.andFBIorFBI: International. Halstead and Upton’s relationship was a focal point ofChicago P.D.for years, and providing closure for the couple would be satisfying after years of emotional turmoil.
While Halstead’s return toChicago P.D.would please spectators, it could disrupt the show’s current cast. There are several ongoing storylines, including Voight’s uncertain relationship with Nina Chapman,Kim Burgess' promotion to detectiveand her relationship with Adam Ruzek, Dante Torres emotionally losing Gloria Perez, and the rise of Kiana Cook with Intelligence. Halstead’s story has dominated the show for the past decade because of his relationships with Erin Lindsay (Sophia Bush) and Upton, and his intense casework with Voight and Intelligence. Bringing Halstead back amidst these stories and retreading his own story could be redundant.
Halstead’s decision to leave Chicago was clear because he didn’t feel right about himself and his job during his last episode.
There would also have to be a clear purpose for Halstead’s comeback other than TV ratings or fandom, and with Upton also gone from the show, it’s best to let them and Intelligence move on. Soffer has proven to be successful in his new role asWes Mitchell inFBI: International, proving how insignificant it would be for the actor to revert to Halstead again. Furthermore, Halstead’s decision to leave Chicago was clear because he didn’t feel right about himself and his job during his last episode.
Halstead’s potential return toChicago P.D.could be a special opportunity for the character to resolve his issues as a detective and make amends with Hailey after their divorce was officially finalized in season 11. However, the show can never truly fix Halstead’s mistakes, like killing the perpetrator in his last case, because he understands these are deep wounds he will have to live with throughout his career. Halstead has gone through traumatic and near-death situations, reminiscent of what Voight, Upton, and everyone on the unit has been forced to endure.
Jon Seda’s Antonio Dawson initially left the show forChicago Justicebut then returned after that spin-off was canceled after one season. Several others, like Upton, Lindsay, andcharacters in One Chicago have left the franchisebecause the actors intend to pursue other acting projects rather than spend their entire tenure in one role.Halstead’s return toChicago P.D.depends on Soffer and whether he and the creators believe the detective deserves a comebackor his story is officially over.
Chicago P.D.season 12 returns with episode 9 on Wednesday, July 27, 2025, at 10 pm ET on NBC.
