The Chicago P.D. Season 12 finale didn’t just close a chapter—it detonated one. From shocking exits to emotional reckonings, NBC’s hit police drama went out with a bang that left fans stunned and eager for more.
Now, in a revealing post-finale breakdown, showrunner Gwen Sigan is pulling back the curtain on the biggest twists and offering an early glimpse into what lies ahead for the Intelligence Unit in Season 13.
Season 12 ended with multiple bombshells, including the shocking firing of two Intelligence Unit members, a fractured team dynamic, and personal crossroads for characters like Voight, Ruzek, and Burgess. The finale didn’t wrap things up with a bow—it tore things apart. Gwen Sigan explained that this was always the goal. “We wanted the finale to feel like a true pivot point,” she said. “We’ve spent this season building up personal tension and systemic pressure, and now we’re seeing the consequences come crashing down.”
Sigan revealed that Hank Voight will be facing one of his most complicated seasons yet. “We’ve seen Voight lose control before, but this time it’s different. He’s watching his unit fall apart and questioning if he can still lead them with integrity.” Season 13, she teased, will explore whether Voight can evolve—both as a leader and as a man. “He’s never been more isolated. The next season will really dig into that emotional space and whether or not Voight still has a place in today’s policing culture.”
Another major thread in the finale was the Kim Burgess and Adam Ruzek relationship, which took another emotional turn. While the pair have long been on-again, off-again, their shared trauma and co-parenting have created a new layer of intimacy. Sigan noted, “Burgess and Ruzek are in a space where they’re learning what it means to heal—not just from the job, but from each other. We’re not rushing them into a happily-ever-after. Season 13 will continue to explore whether love can really survive everything they’ve been through.”
With two major characters gone, fans are wondering how the Intelligence Unit will recover. Sigan confirmed that new additions are on the horizon, but she emphasized that these won’t be quick replacements. “We’re not just plugging in new bodies. We’re bringing in characters who are going to challenge the team, shake up the dynamics, and maybe even clash with Voight’s methods.” She also hinted that some secondary characters may be stepping into bigger roles. “This is a chance for people like Torres and Atwater to really lead in their own way.”
Despite the massive shifts, Sigan promises that Season 13 will bring Chicago P.D. back to its emotional roots. “This is a show about loyalty, justice, and consequence. We’re returning to the very core of what makes the Intelligence Unit tick, and we’re not pulling any punches.” She also teased a more serialized arc. “Season 13 is going to feel tighter. The stakes are more personal. Each case will reflect what the team is going through internally.”
What makes the upcoming season even more compelling, according to Sigan, is the show’s new mantra: no one is safe. “We’re really leaning into the idea that the job can’t protect you anymore. That badge isn’t a shield—it’s a responsibility.” That shift will be visible in the storytelling, with episodes that explore institutional failure, personal morality, and the limits of power. “The audience should feel uneasy, like anything can happen—and it can.”
