For over a decade the One Chicago franchise has given fans a sprawling interconnected world of firefighters, doctors, and police officers who fight battles both professional and personal on the streets of the Windy City. It has been a cornerstone of NBC’s primetime identity, a shared universe that feels like family to millions of loyal viewers, and at the heart of it all stands Jason Beghe, the gravel-voiced actor who has defined Chicago P.D. with his gritty portrayal of Hank Voight. But now, whispers spreading through industry circles suggest that Beghe may be preparing for something unthinkable — stepping outside of the One Chicago world and into another NBC universe entirely.
The rumor first began swirling quietly among fans online, sparked by a cryptic post from a background extra who claimed that Beghe had been seen in discussions with creatives from another flagship NBC drama. The comment spread quickly across fan forums and social media groups, with speculation igniting over whether the actor might be looking to cross over into a totally different narrative universe. Could the man who has carried Chicago P.D. since its first episode really trade the streets of Chicago for a brand-new canvas? For fans who have spent years following Voight’s morally gray choices and relentless leadership, the very idea feels shocking, almost like a betrayal of the franchise that defined him.
Those close to production insist nothing has been confirmed, but even the possibility has stirred debates among insiders. Beghe’s performance has long been praised as the emotional anchor of Chicago P.D., and NBC has relied on his presence to keep the police-centered installment of the franchise stable as other cast members have come and gone. If he were to jump into another NBC property, it would mark a seismic shift, not only for the One Chicago world but also for NBC’s broader strategy of interlocking dramas. Some insiders even suggest it could be part of a larger plan by the network to blur the lines between its major universes, giving fans crossover events bigger than anything seen before.
The reaction from fans has been swift and emotional. Many express disbelief, pointing out that Hank Voight has become synonymous with One Chicago itself, a character whose entire history is intertwined with Firehouse 51 and Chicago Med. Others, however, are intrigued by the idea, imagining how Beghe’s commanding presence could shake up another drama. Could Voight appear as a guest in Law & Order or even become a recurring figure in another crime-centered NBC series? Or is the rumor pointing not to a crossover cameo but to Beghe himself taking on a brand-new role, shedding Voight’s hardened skin for something entirely unexpected?
What makes the whispers more compelling is Beghe’s own complicated relationship with longevity. In past interviews, he has spoken candidly about the challenges of carrying a character for so many years, hinting that while he respects Voight and what the show has given him, he sometimes wonders about creative reinvention. For an actor with his intensity, the temptation to test himself outside of familiar territory may be strong. NBC executives, meanwhile, have remained silent, careful not to fuel speculation but equally unwilling to shut it down completely, leaving fans to wonder whether silence itself is a sign of truth.
In the wider landscape of television, such a move would be unprecedented but not unimaginable. Networks are increasingly looking to leverage shared universes, blending casts and properties to maximize viewership. If Beghe were to lead such a shift, it would not only redefine his career but also mark a new chapter in NBC’s strategy, potentially linking two major franchises in ways that fans never saw coming. For now, though, the speculation remains just that — a rumor electrifying the fan base, sparking heated threads and late-night theories, and making everyone ask the same question: would Jason Beghe really leave the streets of Chicago behind?
Whether the answer is yes or no, one thing is clear: fans will not stop talking about it. The very possibility has already reshaped the conversation around One Chicago’s future, proving once again that in a universe built on loyalty and interconnectedness, even the faintest whisper of change can feel like an earthquake.
