‘It’s Hard To Act Against Jason Beghe In That Way’: Chicago P.D. Boss Talks Voight’s New 2025 Nemesis And Casting Shawn Hatosy

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In the closing moments of last year’s fall finale, Chicago P.D. Season 12 established a new normal, introducing Deputy Chief Reid as a formidable adversary for Voight when the series returns on the 2025 TV schedule. While initially keeping his intentions unclear, Reid eventually disclosed incriminating information about Voight and hinted at a desire for friendship. As we gear up for the winter premiere on January 8, P.D.‘s showrunner Gwen Sigan shared insights into Reid as Voight’s antagonist, while Shawn Hatosy (known for his role in Animal Kingdom) prepares to engage in an intense rivalry with Jason Beghe on-screen.

Ahead of the fall finale, it was evident that Reid was willing to manipulate regulations to accrue favors, as demonstrated by his promotion of Burgess to detective without transferring her from the Intelligence Unit. Marina Squerciati revealed that Burgess receiving an unwanted favor had a “bitter aftertaste” for her, and it’s likely that Voight will feel the same when Chicago P.D. resumes in the upcoming year.

As Reid revealed his true nature towards the end of 2024, I seized the moment during NBC’s One Chicago winter premiere press conference to query the showrunner about the ideal actor for portraying Voight’s adversary opposite Jason Beghe. Gwen Sigan responded by stating:

I’m quite fond of that query. What we were aiming for was an ideal mix of approachability and skepticism. An actor capable of portraying both, which can be quite challenging. We desired someone with a natural charm, able to be incredibly casual, giving off a police-like vibe. In the early episodes, I believe Shawn managed this well. He’s out there interacting with everyone, and he has a bit of the young Voight swagger about him, if you catch my drift. [laughs] But we also wanted the capacity for a sudden shift, as demonstrated at the end of Episode 8, where all of a sudden, you notice his mind working, and a different side of him emerges. A bit of a shape-shifter, in a sense.

Oh, what a change indeed! With Chicago P.D.’s past involving CPD authority figures, it wasn’t hard to surmise that there was more to Reid than initially appeared in Shawn Hatosy’s initial episodes. It’s doubtful many fans anticipated him concluding the fall finale by revealing all his power over the unit and then proposing camaraderie to the sergeant, however! The showrunner went on:

What a transformation! Considering Chicago P.D.’s history with CPD authority figures, it wasn’t surprising that there was more to Reid than first appeared in Shawn Hatosy’s early episodes. It’s unlikely that fans would have foreseen him wrapping up the fall finale by disclosing his influence over the unit and then extending a hand of friendship to the sergeant, though! The showrunner commented:

We were seeking an individual who could handle a variety of roles with ease, and now that we realize he’s manipulating Voight and holds influence over him, it seems like he’s more likely to become a formidable adversary for Voight – someone we aim to counteract and circumvent. We wanted the same level of intensity and presence in this character that Jason provides, but it’s challenging to portray an antagonistic role against Jason (Beghe). With Shawn, however, we found the ideal candidate as he can stand his ground and has been a joy to write for. [laughs]

In a different phrasing: Could Voight still be Voight if he had given in right away when Reid presented all his bargaining chips? It’s clear that Jason Beghe’s character is dealing with some tough choices in the year 2025, especially since Shawn Hatosy can stand his ground against the veteran One Chicago lead, as Gwen Sigan put it, “holding his own.

Since Reid was vague about his vision for their relationship with Voight in 2025, I took the initiative to query the showrunner about how this dynamic might play out for the characters. Here’s a glimpse of her response:

It’s clear that Voight feels uneasy about this friendship. [laughs] You see, Voight isn’t one to embrace a relationship he can’t grasp, let alone one that’s built on conditions like leverage and ownership, with all their tangled strings attached. Soon enough, we’ll notice those strings and the various demands Reid makes, helping us understand his reasons behind it all.

Lately, Voight has found himself short on close friends, and his questionable relationship with Upton also came to an end last year when Tracy Spiridakos departed from One Chicago. However, as per Sigal’s announcement for the second half of Season 13, there will still be some form of connection between them, despite Reid having incriminating information about Intelligence. She stated:

As a fan, I can’t help but notice an intriguing dynamic between these characters as they explore their relationship. At first glance, their similarities are evident, but as we delve deeper into Reid’s police philosophy, it sheds light on Voight’s, leading me to ponder some thought-provoking questions: Has Voight evolved over time? Has he changed? Or is there a part of him that remains the same, merely disguised now? This exploration reaches some profound depths, and writing for these two characters has been a fascinating journey.

It seems that the Reid conflict might shape Voight’s storyline for the remainder of the season, although it’s uncertain how deeply his struggle will involve the rest of the team. Burgess appears to be a plausible candidate given her detective status and her knowledge about Reid due to Torres’ past with Gloria. However, I’m not entirely sure if anyone should hope for such complications, considering how well Burzek has been functioning lately! For now, take a look at the sneak peek for the winter return episode:

Discover Chief Reid’s plans for Voight when Chicago P.D. Season 12 premieres on Wednesday, January 8 at 10 p.m. ET on NBC. The night kicks off with Chicago Fire revisiting a wild Cruz storyline at 9 p.m. ET, followed by Chicago Med resolving its intense cliffhanger at 8 p.m. ET. Additionally, One Chicago fans can anticipate an exciting three-part crossover event in the coming weeks!

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2025-01-08 16:07