'Chicago P.D.' Boss Explains Why Hailey and Halstead Didn’t Return for Burzek's Wedding

The long-awaited Burzek wedding in Chicago P.D. Season 12 was everything fans hoped for — emotional, heartfelt, and years in the making. But while Kim Burgess and Adam Ruzek finally said “I do,” viewers couldn’t help but notice two major absences: Hailey Upton and Jay Halstead.

Now, showrunner Gwen Sigan is setting the record straight.

“It wasn’t an easy decision,” Sigan shared in a post-finale interview. “But ultimately, this was Burgess and Ruzek’s moment. We wanted to keep the focus on their journey — and not open the door to unresolved stories.”

Fans had hoped that even a surprise return for Halstead, who left for Bolivia seasons ago, or a quiet reappearance by Upton, still grappling with her own emotional arc, would add closure or nostalgia to the big day. But Sigan says the creative team didn’t want to dilute the emotional payoff with what would’ve felt like a distraction.

“We love those characters, and we know the fans do too,” she added. “But this wedding was about healing and moving forward — not looking back.”

Reactions have been mixed, with some fans understanding the narrative choice, while others feel the absence of such major players made the celebration feel incomplete.

Still, the Burzek wedding delivered on its promise: love won the night. And for now, Upton and Halstead’s stories remain unfinished — leaving room for future returns or deeper goodbyes.

In true Chicago P.D. fashion, closure isn’t always simple… or complete.