Jason Beghe recently opened up about portraying Sgt. Hank Voight for 13 seasons on NBC’s hit police procedural, Chicago P.D.
While sitting down with Dick Wolf Entertainment producer Brian Luce for his freshly launched One Chicago Podcast, the gravel-voiced actor reflected on the energy that he’s poured into crafting Voight since day one, explaining that even after 11 years, he continues to create and evolve the character.
On-screen, Beghe’s Voight is a no-nonsense and ruthless leader with an intimidating presence, impeccable street-smart instincts, and a moral code that is often blurred in the name of justice, which has made him both feared and respected by colleagues, suspects and audiences alike. However, off-screen, Beghe is just doing his best to make sure the character deeply resonates with audiences.
Related: Fans Rally Around ‘Chicago PD’ After ‘Powerful’ Episode
The character has gone through many transformations over the last decade, with many fans in the comment section noting they miss the “raw” nature of Season 1 Voight; however, Beghe has taken Voight “home” with him on more than one occasion to make sure he’s keeping the character fresh and authentic.
He recalled being called up because Dick Wolf wanted him to do three episodes of his show, Chicago Fire. “Okay, I see this guy, I got an idea. That’s what we’ll do,” he noted of reading the character’s description in the script.
“I think I did fifteen,” he admitted of the episode count, before shooting the backdoor pilot for Chicago P.D.
And while it may seem like he’s got Voight down pat, he revealed, “The truth is, for the first couple of years, I mean, I’m still creating the character.”
“That’s the other thing, if I’m not changing, then I’m boring, to myself, you know,” he explained, adding, “So I’m always trying to challenge myself, I’m always trying to re-question what I know. I have to get better, I have to evolve. I have to confront myself. I have to be me, which is something that you discover and create. And I think it’s the same with a character.”
Related: Original ‘Chicago P.D.’ Star Exits Season 13 of the NBC Police Drama
He also addressed the grueling process of filming a TV show, especially one that you’re trying to get off the ground and turn into a success.
As for the schedule, he admitted, “I mean, in that first season, we only did 15 episodes. I had two days off. Two days off, and on both days I got a back surgery.”
He recalled being in “extreme pain” while shooting the series, stating, “Just, I couldn’t even, we had a cane, in between takes, and so yes, I’m taking home. I mean, it’s all I did.”
Chicago P.D. Season 13 airs Wednesdays on NBC.
