Behind the gritty action and explosive takedowns of Chicago P.D. lies a tension that fans never saw on screen—but insiders say it was impossible to ignore off-camera. For several seasons, two key cast members reportedly couldn’t stand to be in the same room, forcing producers to rewrite scenes, reschedule shoots, and keep the peace—barely.
The feud? Between Jason Beghe, who plays the grizzled Sergeant Hank Voight, and a surprising co-star: Jon Seda, the fan-favorite Detective Antonio Dawson.
According to multiple sources close to the production, tension between the two actors began around Season 4 and quietly escalated behind the scenes. While both were known for their professionalism, their styles couldn’t have been more different. Beghe is notoriously intense, known to immerse himself completely in his roles. Seda, meanwhile, preferred a more collaborative, fluid approach—especially during emotionally charged scenes.
“At first it was just creative differences,” one crew member revealed anonymously. “But it slowly became personal.”
The breaking point reportedly came during the filming of a confrontation scene between Voight and Dawson. The original script called for a brutal argument—so brutal that it bordered on physical. But the rehearsal reportedly turned sour when Beghe broke character and allegedly berated Seda for “not committing to the moment.”
“Jon stayed calm,” the insider said, “but he didn’t forget.”
From then on, cast members reportedly noticed they weren’t speaking in between takes. Directors started adjusting schedules so the two actors wouldn’t have overlapping call times unless absolutely necessary. Joint interviews? Quietly canceled. Promotional photos? Cropped just right.
While neither actor ever addressed the feud publicly, fans noticed something strange: Voight and Dawson, once tightly linked in early seasons, began appearing in fewer scenes together. Storylines that would naturally bring them face-to-face were restructured, and by Season 6, Seda had left Chicago P.D.—his exit spun as a creative decision.
“Jon was loved by the cast and crew,” another insider shared. “But you could feel the relief when the tension was gone.”
But the question remains—was his departure truly about plot direction, or was it a quiet push due to the behind-the-scenes friction?
Since then, both actors have remained tight-lipped. Seda returned to the One Chicago universe briefly via Chicago Justice and has moved on to other major roles (La Brea, most notably), while Beghe continues to lead Chicago P.D. with Voight at the center.
Still, whispers of their feud remain one of the most tightly guarded secrets in One Chicago history. Fans who look back now can spot the subtle distancing, the awkwardly trimmed scenes, the lack of chemistry where there once was fire.
And here’s the twist: there are rumors that the two might be asked to reunite for a future crossover. Whether that happens—or explodes—remains to be seen. But one thing’s certain: the drama off-screen may be just as riveting as anything we’ve seen in the unit’s interrogation room.
