For fans of Chicago P.D., the death of Detective Alvin Olinsky in Season 5 was one of the most gut-wrenching moments in the series’ history. But what viewers didn’t know is that the decision to kill him off wasn’t just about the story — it was part of a deeply personal, emotional behind-the-scenes conflict.
Elias Koteas, who portrayed Olinsky, had no idea his character was being written off until the final stretch of the season. “It hit like a truck,” one crew member revealed. “No one — and I mean no one — saw it coming.”
Writers initially planned a prison arc where Olinsky would be exonerated after taking the fall for Voight. But as tensions mounted over budget cuts and cast reshuffling, the storyline took a dark turn. “Elias had some very real concerns about the direction of the show,” a source close to the production admitted. “He felt it was moving away from character-driven storytelling and into action for action’s sake.”
During a pivotal writers’ meeting, showrunner Rick Eid reportedly made the call: Olinsky would die. Not in a blaze of glory. Quietly. Tragically. Alone in a prison hospital after being stabbed.
The cast was devastated. Jason Beghe (Voight) was especially shaken. “They were like brothers on and off screen,” said a longtime crew member. “Jason fought to keep him. Hard.”
A powerful goodbye scene between Voight and a dying Olinsky was filmed — and then shelved. “Too emotional,” the network reportedly decided. “Too real.”
Fans never got closure. The show moved on. But the fallout remained.
In interviews since, Koteas has remained mostly silent on his exit. But those close to him say he was “deeply hurt” by how it played out. And while his performance left a lasting mark, many believe the way Olinsky was written out reflects a deeper truth about Chicago P.D. — one where loyalty, both on screen and off, can be sacrificed in a heartbeat.
And for fans still haunted by that silent hospital bed, one thing remains painfully clear: some characters don’t die in stories — they’re buried by decisions.
