What Happened to Otis in Chicago PD?

Chicago P.D., much like many other network television shows, has to evolve to remain relevant. It's not that surprising, therefore, that the Chicago series has continued to expand, with the likes of Chicago Med and Chicago Fire both contributing to this procedural shared universe. Talents come and go, crossing between series and ultimately leaving for new opportunities. Network television can be a great creator of stars, with many going on to bigger and better things. However, sometimes performers must leave these shows for narrative reasons, with characters being removed to find a new balance within the ensemble or to raise the stakes.

The Chicago series, which has also been titled One Chicago, is set to return in the Fall of 2025, with all three installments bringing new narratives to fans. However, there will be lots of changes to digest, as audiences get to grips with the shifting arcs, returning characters, and those who are no longer a part of the universe. One figure, Otis, stood out to audiences from the get-go and has become a beloved figure with great spinoff potential. But, while fans may have grown used to seeing Otis popping up in various scenarios, when Fall comes around this time, he will be absent from One Chicago. The question is, why is Otis no longer a part of this franchise, and is there a chance that viewers will see him again?

Otis Was Established as a Key Character Across Multiple Shows

His Legend Lived Large

Otis is the nickname given to Brian Zvonecek due to his expertise in elevators. While it may be a silly moniker, it has stuck and is a small sign of the affection that both the crew within the Chicago One universe and the audience have for this hero. Otis first joined the Chicago One world back in 2012, marking one of actor Yuri Sardarov's first major roles. Debuting in Chicago Fire, he was given a significant position in the team and would rack up a total of 230 appearances across 8 seasons. He was a stalwart, and fans became used to seeing him contribute in some way.

But, much like other favorite characters in the Chicago One universe, Otis wouldn't be confined to just Chicago Fire. The character would make his debut in Chicago P.D. in 2014 and would star in 6 episodes of the show. He would also make a major cameo in Chicago Med, appearing in the 2018 episode "When To Let Go," in the fourth season as another significant crossover. Obviously, Otis proved to be a valuable commodity to the showrunners, a source of comic relief, and a useful character to bring in to solve a couple of different narrative problems. The performer, Sardarov, also demonstrated that he could be a trusted hand, used to deliver difficult material when needed.

Sure, Otis is occasionally immature, but every character has flaws, and this icon should be no different. As the show went on, there was an argument to be made that he had become somewhat stale, with the showrunners perhaps running out of ways to reinvent the character, to ensure that he continued to develop. With a universe like Chicago One, some characters aren't able to become consistent members of other teams because they are too entrenched in their own shows. As a firefighter, Otis wasn't about to join Chicago Med or Chicago P.D. permanently, and so a decision had to be made.

Otis Was Unfortunately Killed In the Line of Duty

The Moment Was Devastating For Long-Term Fans

Season 8 revealed that Otis had sadly passed away from the inferno, leaving his team behind to carry on in his absence. The Season 7 finale, "I'm Not Leaving You," seemed to promise that something terrible was about to happen, but no one would have predicated it would escalate to this. Other colleagues were able to escape from the fire just in time, but because Otis was trapped, he was unable to leave quite as easily. For a moment it seemed that there may be some hope, considering he was able to get out a distress call. Fans thought that perhaps he would be rescued just in time.

The firefighters put together a memorial that was intended to symbolize Otis' bravery. But this wasn't the only loss that they had suffered in recent years. In fact, Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago P.D. have all seen massive deaths shake the ensembles to their core, as showrunners look for ways to keep the material fresh and keep shocking audiences. Sadly, Otis was the latest in a long line of members to leave the show, and the challenge now is to find a new teammate who is able to replicate, surpass, or at least fill the void of what the character brought to the series.

Yuri Sardarov Was Ready to Move On

The Death Upped the Stakes

Secondly, Season 7 had created such a big cliffhanger that there had to be an emotional payoff that felt satisfying. The show promised death and destruction and a twist that would change the landscape for good. Otis' death was the one that seemed to fit the bill, especially since he had been such a veteran of this universe for so long. Things don't feel the same without him, and so his absence means something. If the series went for a much less devastating outcome, then viewers wouldn't necessarily want to tune in after big cliffhangers in the future, because they would essentially serve as false promises.

While this decision was largely one for the showrunners, Yuri Sardarov was also ready to leave the series, and has taken no break in between jobs. In fact, Sardarov seems busier than ever and is pushing past the typecasting he may have gotten from Otis' portrayal to embrace some other character types. Since Chicago Fire, Sardarov has appeared in Daddy, Quad, The Rookie, FBI: International, and the short film The Invite. While his next project has yet to be announced, it's clear that he is looking to push past the procedural formula he's been working on for years by filling out his TV schedule with a couple of projects that detour from that path.