The expansion of the Dick Wolf universe has officially reached legendary proportions as NBC Universal confirmed the most anticipated project in the history of the franchise: a standalone prequel series titled simply Voight. As Chicago P.D. continues its dominant run in Season 13, this new 2026 production will peel back the layers of the most polarizing figure in the Windy City, taking audiences back to the early 1990s to witness the transformation of a young patrolman into the morally gray powerhouse who would eventually lead the Intelligence Unit. Jason Beghe, who has portrayed the iconic Sergeant for over a decade, is set to serve as an executive producer and the series narrator, guiding viewers through his own history as the show explores the corrupt, high-stakes streets of a pre-digital Chicago.
The debut of Voight marks a departure from the traditional One Chicago formula, opting for a serialized, noir-style drama that focuses on the character’s formative years during the height of the city’s gang wars and political upheaval. The series will center on a younger version of Hank Voight, with casting rumors currently circling several rising stars capable of capturing the intensity and burgeoning darkness that Jason Beghe made famous. Set against the backdrop of the 1990s, the prequel will explore Voight’s early relationship with his late wife, Camille, and his initial partnerships with legendary figures of the old-school CPD. This era-specific storytelling allows the writers to delve into the “old ways” of policing—the very tactics that would later bring Voight into conflict with modern oversight and Internal Affairs.
One of the most compelling aspects of the 2026 prequel announcement is the confirmation that we will finally see the origin of Voight’s complex code of ethics. The series aims to answer the decade-long question of exactly when Hank decided that the law was a barrier to justice. By showcasing his early interactions with the Chicago underworld and the personal tragedies that hardened his heart, the show will provide a sympathetic yet unflinching look at a man who chose to become the monster to fight the monsters. Fans can expect to see younger versions of other franchise staples, including a rookie Alvin Olinsky, establishing the foundation of the brotherhood that defined the early seasons of Chicago P.D. and providing a haunting context for their eventual tragic ends.
Production for the series is already underway at Cinespace Studios, with a dedicated crew working to recreate the gritty aesthetic of 1990s Chicago. From the vintage squad cars to the cigarette-smoke-filled precinct offices, the visual style of Voight is designed to feel more like a prestige crime thriller than a weekly procedural. Jason Beghe has expressed his immense pride in the project, noting that the prequel allows the creative team to explore the “ghosts” that have haunted Hank throughout the main series. By integrating Beghe’s iconic voice as a narrative thread, the show creates a bridge between the past and the present, ensuring that even as we watch a younger man navigate the streets, the weight of his future is always present in the shadows.
The 2026 expansion also signals a broader strategy by NBC to create a “Marvel-level” depth to the One Chicago lore. Voight is expected to run as a standalone limited series during the summer hiatus of the main shows, keeping the “Chi-Hard” fan base engaged year-round. This strategy not only strengthens the brand but allows for a deeper level of character development that isn’t always possible in an ensemble format. The prequel will also serve as a launchpad for crossover elements that could resonate back into Chicago P.D. Season 14, with cold cases from the 90s potentially resurfacing in the modern day, forcing the current Intelligence Unit to reckon with the secrets of their leader’s past.
As the Windy City prepares for this double dose of Voight in 2026, the excitement within the television industry is palpable. This isn’t just a spinoff; it is an origin story for a character who has become a cultural icon for his “whatever it takes” attitude. As the first episodes of Voight prepare to hit the screen, viewers are invited to forget everything they think they know about the Sergeant and return to the beginning, where a young man with a badge first learned that in Chicago, the line between the good guys and the bad guys is often drawn in blood. The legacy of the gray man is just beginning, and the backstreets of the 90s are waiting to tell their story.
