Change is in the air at the 21st District — and Chicago P.D. fans are buzzing with excitement, shock, and a little heartbreak after NBC finally confirmed major cast updates for the upcoming Season 13. The long-running One Chicago hit is officially heading into one of its boldest transitions yet, with a mix of beloved veterans returning, one emotional goodbye that’s already breaking hearts, and a brand-new addition who’s about to turn Intelligence upside down. Here’s the full breakdown of who’s in, who’s out, and what it all means for the future of Chicago P.D..
Let’s start with the gut punch: Tracy Spiridakos, who has portrayed Detective Hailey Upton since Season 4, is officially departing Chicago P.D.. The actress, who has been a fan favorite and one half of the iconic “Upstead” pairing, confirmed her exit after filming her final scenes earlier this year. “It’s bittersweet,” Spiridakos said in a statement. “This show has been my home for so long, but it’s time for new chapters — both for me and for Hailey.” According to insiders, her farewell episode will be “deeply emotional” and may even include one final connection to Jay Halstead (Jesse Lee Soffer), who made a surprise voice cameo last season. “Hailey’s story is far from over,” teased showrunner Gwen Sigan. “She deserves an ending worthy of everything she’s given to Intelligence.”
But while one door closes, six familiar faces are kicking it wide open again. Jason Beghe returns as the legendary Hank Voight — the unshakeable leader whose moral code continues to blur the line between justice and vengeance. After a darker, more introspective arc in Season 12, Voight is set for a “personal reckoning” that will test his loyalty to his team like never before. “Voight’s past is catching up to him,” Beghe teased. “This season, he’s realizing that leadership sometimes means letting go.”
Marina Squerciati (Kim Burgess) and Patrick John Flueger (Adam Ruzek) are both officially back — much to the relief of fans who spent the offseason panicking about a possible joint exit. Rumors swirled after last season’s finale hinted at Burgess and Ruzek considering a move away from Chicago with Makayla, but sources confirm the couple will return “stronger than ever.” “They’ll face a new kind of challenge — balancing family and the job in a way they never have before,” Sigan said. “Their love story is evolving, not ending.”
LaRoyce Hawkins also returns as Kevin Atwater, who remains one of the emotional anchors of the series. After a standout run of episodes last season exploring racial tension and trust within the force, Atwater will reportedly be “stepping up” in new ways. “He’s becoming the moral compass,” Hawkins shared. “Voight trusts him more now, and that’s going to create some big shifts.”
Amy Morton will continue to reprise her role as the ever-resilient Desk Sergeant Trudy Platt, the show’s sarcastic, unfiltered heart who always finds a way to ground Intelligence amid the chaos. And yes, Benjamin Levy Aguilar is also confirmed to return as Dante Torres, whose layered backstory and street-smart perspective made him a breakout star. “Torres will be getting some of the best material this season,” one insider hinted. “He’s got secrets — and they’re about to catch up to him.”
So that’s six core members confirmed to return — but who’s the mysterious new recruit joining the mix? Meet Callie Rodriguez, the newest member of the Intelligence Unit, played by rising star Sofia Pernas (Blood & Treasure, NCIS). Rodriguez is described as “sharp, unpredictable, and fiercely independent,” a former undercover operative who doesn’t always play by the book — making her a perfect (and dangerous) fit for Voight’s world. “She’s not there to replace anyone,” Sigan emphasized. “She’s there to shake things up. Expect fireworks between her and Voight from day one.”
According to early reports, Rodriguez’s introduction will come in the first two episodes of Season 13, when Intelligence teams up with a covert federal task force on a high-stakes operation gone wrong. “Her arrival sends ripples through the entire unit,” a production source said. “Some trust her. Some don’t. And one person might fall for her — fast.” (Fans are already guessing that person could be Torres.)
As for the tone of Season 13? Expect Chicago P.D. to dig deeper into the emotional consequences of years spent chasing justice. “This season is about identity,” said executive producer Rick Eid. “Who these people are when the badge comes off — and how much of themselves they’ve lost along the way.” The show is also reportedly returning to a more serialized format, with interconnected cases stretching across multiple episodes — a style that longtime viewers loved in earlier seasons.
Behind the camera, Jesse Lee Soffer will be returning to direct at least one episode this season — his third time doing so since leaving the cast. “It’s like coming home,” Soffer said. “I love these people. I love this world. And being behind the camera lets me tell stories from a new angle.” Naturally, fans are already hoping his involvement could pave the way for another Halstead cameo — but NBC is staying tight-lipped.
Production on Chicago P.D. Season 13 is officially underway in Chicago, with the first table read reportedly leaving the cast in tears. Marina Squerciati shared a photo from set captioned, “Back where we belong.” Meanwhile, LaRoyce Hawkins posted a behind-the-scenes video of the Intelligence bullpen, writing, “Same energy. New fire.”
One of the most exciting confirmations is that the One Chicago universe isn’t slowing down. NBC executives revealed that there will be more crossover moments this year — particularly between Chicago P.D. and Chicago Fire, now that both shows are stabilizing their casts after a wave of exits. “It’s a new era,” said franchise producer Dick Wolf. “But it still feels like family.”
So, to recap the big headlines: Tracy Spiridakos is saying goodbye. Six of your favorites — Beghe, Squerciati, Flueger, Hawkins, Morton, and Aguilar — are locked in and ready for action. And a fierce new player, Sofia Pernas, is stepping onto the field. The result? A Season 13 that promises to be raw, emotional, and unpredictable — exactly what Chicago P.D. does best.
As one fan perfectly summed it up after the news broke: “One leaving, one joining, six staying — that’s balance. It hurts, but it feels right. P.D. always finds a way to evolve without losing its soul.”
Buckle up, One Chicago fans. The streets of Chicago are heating up again, and Intelligence is ready for war.
