For over a decade, Sergeant Hank Voight has been the granite foundation of the Intelligence Unit, the moral—or often, immoral—center of Chicago P.D. Played by the incomparable Jason Beghe, Voight is the character fans love to hate and hate to love, a man whose complex code of justice has defined the entire Dick Wolf franchise.
But as Chicago P.D. enters its later seasons, and with a steady stream of original cast members having departed the show—including Jesse Lee Soffer’s Jay Halstead and the more recent temporary leave of Patrick John Flueger’s Adam Ruzek—fans have been gripped by one terrifying question: Is Jason Beghe next?
Beghe’s recent, candid remarks about the longevity of the show and the toll the character takes have thrown fuel onto the rumor fire, suggesting that the day Voight finally hangs up his badge, whether by choice or by fate, might be closer than anyone is ready for.
The Confession: The Cost of Playing Hank Voight
The anxiety swirling around Beghe’s future stems from his deeply reflective interviews on playing a character as relentlessly intense as Hank Voight. While Beghe has consistently expressed deep gratitude and passion for the role, he has also been remarkably open about the physical and mental demands of playing the Intelligence Unit’s tormented leader.
When discussing the evolution of Voight, Beghe has often hinted at the natural life cycle of a long-running character. He acknowledges that after more than ten seasons, both the actor and the character must continue to grow, or risk becoming stagnant. This sentiment is universal in the One Chicago universe, where longevity often means an actor choosing to move on to new creative endeavors.
The Weight of the Job
Voight is not a character who experiences easy emotions; he is defined by a deep-seated trauma—the loss of his son, Justin, and his closest friend, Al Olinsky. Beghe has remarked that Voight is constantly “reacting and changing and continuing to change and evolve” as a human being. The actor has noted that, unlike some, Voight cannot quit the job. “He’d probably die without the job,” Beghe mused, an observation that is “not necessarily a sign of great health mentally.”
This candid insight into the character’s mental state directly implies an approaching narrative crisis. A character whose job is literally his life has only two possible exits: a heroic death or a final, ultimate breakdown that forces him out. When an actor uses language that suggests a finality to the character’s journey, even as a hypothetical, it immediately raises a red flag for the audience.
The ‘One Chicago’ Longevity Problem
The reality is that Jason Beghe is one of only a handful of original cast members remaining on Chicago P.D. (along with Marina Squerciati and LaRoyce Hawkins). The recent years have seen a massive shake-up, a pattern common across all three One Chicago shows:
| Show | Major Departures Accelerating Fan Anxiety |
| Chicago P.D. | Jay Halstead, Erin Lindsay, Alvin Olinsky, Antonio Dawson, Hailey Upton (most recently) |
| Chicago Fire | Matt Casey, Sylvie Brett, Brian “Otis” Zvonecek, Leslie Shay, Gabby Dawson |
| Chicago Med | Will Halstead, Ethan Choi, Natalie Manning, Connor Rhodes |
Showrunners have openly stated that the prolonged run of the series—now over a decade long—requires cast turnover to keep the storylines “fresh.” While this is a creative reality, for fans, it creates a palpable sense of dread. Each major exit resets the dynamic of the Intelligence Unit, putting intense pressure on the remaining core characters—and none more so than Voight.
After losing his protégé Halstead, his partner Upton, and seeing Ruzek take a leave of absence, Voight’s circle is smaller than ever. The narrative weight is consolidating around him, a pressure cooker scenario that often precedes a dramatic, final break.
Why Voight’s Exit Would Be the Biggest Shockwave Yet
An exit for Hank Voight would not be just another cast change; it would be a narrative nuclear event for Chicago P.D. Voight is not merely the Sergeant; he is the ideology of the show—the very question of where the line between right and wrong lies in policing.
- The Moral Center (and Conflict): Voight’s departure would instantly remove the central moral conflict that drives the Intelligence Unit. Without his “tough love” and ethically dubious methods, the show would fundamentally change its tone.
- The Mentor Void: Every remaining character—Burgess, Atwater, and Torres—has a relationship that stems directly from Voight’s mentorship. His absence would force a new leadership structure and personality onto the Intelligence Unit, a difficult pill for viewers to swallow.
- The Unfinished Business: Unlike some departures, Voight has a long list of enemies, both inside and outside the CPD. His ending demands a resolution worthy of his legend, whether that means a peaceful, unearned retirement or a tragic, violent downfall at the hands of one of his many demons.
Jason Beghe’s Stance: Hope for the Fans
Despite the heavy, reflective nature of his comments, it is crucial to note that Jason Beghe has also been explicitly clear about his present intentions: he wants to stay. In recent interviews, he has confirmed his commitment to the show for upcoming seasons, with reports confirming his return for Season 13.
However, the “This Might Really Be Goodbye” feeling still lingers because his self-aware analysis of Voight’s situation feels more like a prophecy than a casual interview quote.
“I think the door’s open for Upton. Hopefully, she’ll be back,” Beghe said following Tracy Spiridakos’s exit, showcasing his loyalty to the Chicago P.D. family. But the fact that he and the showrunners are so openly discussing the “endgame” for main characters signals a conscious narrative shift.
The Ultimate Question
While Beghe is committed for now, his thoughtful reflection serves as a powerful reminder of the ephemeral nature of television. Fans are left constantly monitoring every storyline, every Voight choice, and every cryptic quote for the first sign of an exit arc.
The question isn’t whether Jason Beghe is leaving tomorrow, but whether his character, Sergeant Hank Voight, can realistically survive another few seasons of the life he leads. Beghe’s candid confession has forced fans to confront the bitter truth: when it comes to a character who is defined by their dangerous job, every single episode could, indeed, be Voight’s last. Until that day, Beghe continues to anchor one of television’s most compelling, and most compromised, heroes.
