5 Shocking Things To Expect In The Next Chicago P.D. New Episode (Season 13 Midseason Return)
The Intelligence Unit is finally back, and the stakes have never been higher. Fans of the gritty police procedural drama *Chicago P.D.* have been waiting anxiously since the fall finale, and the wait is almost over. The show is set to return with its midseason premiere, kicking off the second half of Season 13 with a new, intense case that will directly impact the personal lives of the 21st District’s finest, especially Adam Ruzek and Kim Burgess. The next chapter promises to deliver the high-octane action and deep character drama that the *One Chicago* universe is known for.
The highly anticipated Chicago P.D. new episode, which is the midseason premiere for Season 13, is scheduled to air on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 10/9c on NBC. This return marks Episode 8 of the current season, and it is poised to be one of the darkest and most personal episodes yet, featuring a desperate race against time to find a missing child while Sergeant Hank Voight’s secret blackmailer plot continues to escalate.
The Intelligence Unit: Full Cast Biography and Profile
The heart of *Chicago P.D.* lies within the members of the Intelligence Unit, led by the morally ambiguous Sergeant Hank Voight. Here is a complete profile of the current main cast members returning for the midseason premiere of Season 13.
- Jason Beghe (Sergeant Hank Voight)
- Born: March 12, 1960
- Role: Sergeant of the Intelligence Unit, 21st District.
- Biography: Beghe is an American actor best known for his long-running role as Voight since the show's premiere in 2014. He is also a former Scientologist who publicly left the organization. His character is the central, often controversial, figure of the series, known for his unconventional and often brutal methods.
- Marina Squerciati (Detective Kim Burgess)
- Born: April 30, 1984
- Role: Detective in the Intelligence Unit.
- Biography: Squerciati is an American actress who began her career in theatre and appeared in *Gossip Girl* before landing her breakout role as Kim Burgess, a character who has evolved from a patrol officer to a seasoned detective and a mother.
- Patrick John Flueger (Officer Adam Ruzek)
- Born: December 10, 1983
- Role: Officer in the Intelligence Unit.
- Biography: Flueger is an American actor from Red Wing, Minnesota, known for his roles in *The 4400* and *The Princess Diaries*. His character, Ruzek, is a former patrol officer who has faced numerous personal and professional crises, most recently a serious shooting and a brief hiatus from the unit.
- LaRoyce Hawkins (Officer Kevin Atwater)
- Born: May 4, 1988
- Role: Officer in the Intelligence Unit.
- Biography: Hawkins is an American actor, comedian, and musician, born and raised in Harvey, Illinois. He originated the role of Kevin Atwater in *Chicago Fire* before becoming a core member of *Chicago P.D.* His character is often the moral compass of the unit, navigating issues of race and policing.
- Benjamin Levy Aguilar (Officer Dante Torres)
- Born: Guatemala (Age 18 when he moved to the US)
- Role: Officer in the Intelligence Unit.
- Biography: Aguilar is a Guatemalan actor who joined the cast as a series regular, bringing a new dynamic to the unit. His character, Dante Torres, has a complex background with gang affiliations and a strong, quiet intensity, making him a protégé of Voight.
The 5 Biggest Storylines Driving the New Episode (S13 E8)
The midseason premiere, Episode 8 of Season 13, is set to detonate several major plot threads left dangling in the fall finale. The intensity is expected to be immediate, forcing the Intelligence Unit to confront threats both on the streets of Chicago and within their own ranks.
1. Ruzek and Burgess's Personal Crisis
The next episode will put a harsh spotlight on the family life of Adam Ruzek and Kim Burgess. The Intelligence Unit will be forced to investigate a homicide in the very neighborhood where Ruzek and Burgess reside with their daughter, Makayla. This case is described as forcing the team to navigate the complicated relationships within their tight-knit community. This localized threat will test the boundaries between their professional duties and their desperate need to protect their home and family.
2. The Desperate Search for Missing Child Julie
A central, high-stakes element of the midseason return involves the Intelligence Unit racing against the clock to find a missing child named Julie. The synopsis suggests this is a classic *Chicago P.D.* race-against-time scenario, with the unit pulling all resources to find her before it is too late. This intense case will likely serve as the A-plot, demanding Voight's full attention and showcasing the unit's relentless pursuit of justice.
3. Voight’s Blackmailer Storyline Escalates
Sergeant Hank Voight’s character arc this season has been dominated by a chilling blackmailer who knows about his past misconduct and the dark things he’s done to protect his team. The fall episodes saw Voight receiving unsettling envelopes, and the midseason premiere is expected to intensify this storyline. One report suggests Voight receives another chilling envelope, deepening the crisis and forcing him to deal with a new level of threat. This internal pressure is a major source of conflict, reminding viewers that the "Consequences" of his actions (a key theme since the Season 13 premiere) are far from over.
4. Patrick John Flueger’s Official Return to Action
A major piece of good news for fans is the confirmed return of Patrick John Flueger as Adam Ruzek. Flueger took a brief hiatus earlier in the season for personal reasons, leading to his character's reduced presence. He is officially back on set and will be central to the upcoming plot, especially the case revolving around his neighborhood. His full-time return is vital to the team's dynamic and the continuation of the "Upstead" and "Burzek" relationship dramas.
5. The Finality of Hailey Upton’s Departure
While Detective Hailey Upton (played by Tracy Spiridakos) has been gone for some time, the upcoming year solidifies her permanent exit. Spiridakos has landed the main role in a new USA Network series called *Anna Pigeon*, set to air in 2026. This news confirms that any hopes for a quick return for Upton are unlikely, allowing the current cast, particularly Dante Torres, to fully settle into their roles and redefine the Intelligence Unit's structure without her presence. The show is moving forward with its core team intact, focusing on the established dynamics of Voight, Burgess, Ruzek, Atwater, and Torres.
How to Watch the Chicago P.D. Midseason Premiere
The *One Chicago* block is a staple of Wednesday night television. The midseason premiere of *Chicago P.D.* Season 13, Episode 8, returns on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 10/9c on NBC. You can catch the show immediately following new episodes of *Chicago Med* (8/7c) and *Chicago Fire* (9/8c).
- Air Date: Wednesday, January 7, 2026
- Time: 10:00 PM ET/PT (9:00 PM CT)
- Network: NBC
- Streaming: Episodes will be available to stream the following day on Peacock, making it easy for fans to catch up on all the action of the 21st District.
With Ruzek fully back in the fold, a personal threat to the Burgess-Ruzek family, and the continued dark shadow of Voight's blackmailer, the new episode of *Chicago P.D.* promises a tense and unforgettable return to the streets of Chicago.
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