Chicago PD Ruins Its Best Halstead & Upton Replacement Couple Way Too Early, And I Hate It

Chicago PD lost one of its main love stories when Halstead and Upton left, and although the series attempted to replace them, the new relationship was over before it ever really began.

The crime drama has been no stranger to torrid romances over the years. Burgess and Ruzek (who just got married in the One Chicago show) have been the most consistent couple, which isn't saying much.

Romances come and go, and many fans were heartbroken to see Halstead and Upton join the Chicago PD exes club when Jesse Lee Soffer exited the series in season 10. Then, Tracy Spiridakos departed after the season 11 finale, killing any hope that Halstead and Upton would somehow reunite one day. So, Chicago PD had to move on and try to find a couple to replace "Upstead."

How Voight & Chapman Could Have Been Chicago PD's Halstead & Upton Replacement

Voight & Chapman Had So Much Potential

Chicago PD introduced Sara Bues as Nina Chapman, the Head of Complex Prosecutions and an Assistant State Attorney, at the end of season 9. At first, the show portrayed Chapman as an adversary to Voight and the Intelligence Unit. She likes to follow the letter of the law, while we all know that's not how Voight prefers to operate.

So, with Halstead and Upton gone, it was only a matter of time before Chicago PD tried to replace the couple with a new one, and Voight and Chapman seemed like the perfect candidates for the job.

As time went on, though, Voight and Chapman became allies and confidants. Then, it seemed like their friendship was going to blossom into something more as sparks flew between them in season 12. So, with Halstead and Upton gone, it was only a matter of time before Chicago PD tried to replace the couple with a new one, and Voight and Chapman seemed like the perfect candidates for the job.

The romantic tension between Voight and Chapman in Chicago PD season 12 was undeniable. It was clear that there was something between them, but given their circumstances and respective characters, it would be difficult for them to engage in a committed relationship. Consequently, a slow burn ensued, which was reminiscent of Halstead and Upton's arc.

Throughout Chicago PD's run, Voight has never had a love interest. He's a widower and is evidently content with his single life. However, Chapman came along and shook Voight's world in Chicago PD season 12. She confessed that she had feelings for him, and he didn't know what to do with himself. Unfortunately, like Halstead and Upton, Voight and Chapman's story will likely end in heartbreak.

Chicago PD Season 12 Finale Makes It Difficult For Voight & Chapman To Be Together (Before They Could Even Become A Couple)

Voight & Chapman Likely Won't Get Together Now

Voight and Chapman in Chicago PD season 12 (1)

After Chapman told Voight that she had feelings for him, he chose to ignore the confession rather than confront it head-on. Even if he felt the same way, Voight is a glutton for punishment. It would be a miracle if he let himself be happy, and luckily for Voight, he all but ruined any chance he had to be with Chapman during the Chicago PD season 12 finale.

Chicago PD Season 12 Cast	Role
Jason Beghe	Hank Voight
Patrick John Flueger	Adam Ruzek
Marina Squerciati	Kim Burgess
LaRoyce Hawkins	Kevin Atwater
Amy Morton	Trudy Platt
Benjamin Levy Aguilar	Dante Torres
Toya Turner	Kiana Cook
Sara Bues	Nina Chapman
Shawn Hatosy	Charlie Reid

Chapman tried to convince Voight not to fall back into his old ways in season 12, episode 22, but he wouldn't listen to her. She believed in him, and then he went and killed Reid. Chapman was heartbroken after deducing what Voight had done, and it almost felt like they broke up at the end of the Chicago PD season 12 finale.

Voight admitted to Chapman that he couldn't be (and wasn't) the man she wanted him to be, leaving her devastated at Burgess and Ruzek's wedding. They're essentially at a standstill. And it doesn't feel like they can move on from this problem. Voight and Chapman were never really together, but the show still ended their relationship before it ever began.

Is There Still Hope For Chapman & Voight In Chicago PD Season 13?

The Odds Are Low

Voight and Chapman in Chicago PD season 12

Sadly, all hope I had for Voight and Chapman to become a serious couple (and replace Halstead and Upton in the show) seems lost after the events of Chicago PD season 12's ending. She wants him to be someone he's not, and he's unwilling to change. Consequently, it's unclear where Voight and Chapman go from here. However, we should never say never.

Chapman still feels like the perfect partner for Voight in Chicago PD, despite what transpired between them in the season 12 finale. They might disagree on many things, but their chemistry remains palpable. They could still be Halstead and Upton's successors. The One Chicago series would have to put in a lot of work to fix what it broke between Voight and Chapman, though.

Plus, Voight deserves love. Chapman does, too, of course. However, Voight has been around since the show's beginning, and viewers have witnessed him being put through the wringer time and time again. Voight should get a happy ending, and that could start with him and Chapman making amends in Chicago PD season 13.