After an intense and emotional twelfth season, Chicago P.D. is gearing up for Season 13 — and the first piece of official casting news is finally here. NBC has confirmed the return of none other than Jason Beghe, who will once again reprise his iconic role as Sergeant Hank Voight. While this might not come as a shock to long-time fans of the series, it is an important signal: Chicago P.D. is staying true to its gritty core.

Beghe’s Voight has been the heartbeat of the show since its pilot aired in 2014. A complex and polarizing figure, Voight is equal parts father figure, enforcer, and morally gray anti-hero. With the departure of key cast members in recent seasons — including Jesse Lee Soffer’s Jay Halstead and rumors swirling around Marina Squerciati’s potential exit — fans have clung tightly to Voight as the last unshakable pillar of the Intelligence Unit.

It’s not just that Voight is a fan favorite — it’s that the show wouldn’t feel like Chicago P.D. without him. He’s the narrative anchor, the one character whose decisions often shape the arc of an entire season. Whether he’s making questionable deals with criminals to get intel or bending (and breaking) the rules to protect his team, Voight remains the series’ moral compass — however crooked that compass may be.

The Season 12 finale left viewers on edge. After a year that saw Ruzek (Patrick John Flueger) deal with the trauma of nearly dying, Burgess (Marina Squerciati) wrestling with her future, and the tragic death of rookie officer Noah Martel, the Intelligence Unit was left emotionally battered and professionally vulnerable.

The question going into Season 13 is not just who will return, but what version of them will return. Voight, already a man carrying the weight of decades of trauma and ethical compromise, now has to lead a team that’s increasingly fractured and unsure of itself. It sets the stage for what could be one of the show’s most psychologically complex seasons yet. With Jay Halstead gone, and uncertainty surrounding whether Burgess will stay in the Intelligence Unit or move on, Voight’s leadership becomes more crucial than ever. The younger officers like Atwater (LaRoyce Hawkins) and Torres (Benjamin Levy Aguilar) are stepping up, but the void left by veterans is undeniable.

Jason Beghe has the gravitas to hold this shifting ensemble together. Even when the plot falters or dips into predictability, his performance keeps audiences engaged. His return gives the writers a familiar foundation upon which to build whatever chaos Season 13 throws at us. With Voight’s return confirmed, fans are now eagerly watching to see who else will sign on for the next chapter. There’s been no official word yet on the future of Burgess, Ruzek, or Upton (Tracy Spiridakos), though some cast members have hinted on social media that they’ve been in talks with producers.

Jason Beghe’s commitment to the role of Voight goes beyond paycheck loyalty. In interviews, Beghe has frequently described Voight as a character who continues to challenge him emotionally and morally. He’s praised the show’s writers for not shying away from difficult storylines — particularly those that reflect real-world issues like police brutality, racial profiling, and corruption within the justice system.

Moreover, Beghe is something of a mentor off-screen as well. With so many new faces entering the Chicago P.D. universe, his leadership both on and off camera plays a big part in maintaining the show’s distinctive tone. His involvement in shaping Voight’s arc, as well as his willingness to mentor younger cast members, makes him a crucial piece of the One Chicago puzzle.

Production for Season 13 is expected to begin later this summer, with a likely premiere date in early 2026. Scripts are being finalized, and casting decisions for remaining series regulars should be confirmed in the coming weeks. With the Writers Guild and SAG-AFTRA strikes in the rearview mirror, fans are hoping for a smooth road ahead.

As for Jason Beghe, don’t expect him to dial things down. If the show follows its current trajectory, Voight will face some of his greatest challenges yet — both as a leader and as a man struggling to reconcile justice with vengeance. Jason Beghe’s return to Chicago P.D. isn’t just expected — it’s essential. As the Intelligence Unit faces mounting pressure from inside and out, fans can take solace in one thing: Hank Voight is still standing. Whether that’s a comfort or a warning depends on how well you know him.