Summary

• Chicago PD
  should consider bringing back Antonio Dawson as Hailey Upton’s replacement in season 12.
• Dawson’s strong moral compass would balance Voight’s mellowed demeanor, making him a suitable right-hand person.
• Jon Seda’s exit from One Chicago was unclear, but his schedule has recently cleared up due to the end of
  La Brea,
  making a return to
  Chicago PD
  season 12 possible.

Chicago PD shouldn’t look any further for its Hailey Upton replacement in season 12 because the best candidate is an original Intelligence member last seen five years ago. As if losing Jesse Lee Soffer as Jay Halstead in Chicago PD season 10, his on-screen partner followed suit. Tracy Spiridakos’ exit from One Chicago was announced ahead of the season 11 finale, allowing the show to properly set up her eventual departure from Intelligence. Upton struggled to move on after her ex-husband essentially abandoned her. Eventually, she decided that she needed a change, hence why she had to relocate.

Fully understanding Upton’s struggle, Hank Voight gave her the blessing she needed to move forward during their emotional conversation in the Chicago PD season 11 finale. This despite fully knowing that Intelligence would be further depleted with her departure. For years now, the team has been operating understaffed, and while it hasn’t impacted how effective they are in their jobs, it would be great to see their bullpen having more people to help. Upton’s exit forces them to bring a new character, but instead of a fresh one, Chicago PD season 12’s best bet is someone from their past.

Why Antonio Dawson Would Be Upton’s Best Replacement In Chicago P.D. Season 12

Voight Needs A Right-Hand Person After Upton’s Exit

One Chicago has seen its fair share of character departures over a decade on the air. Chicago PD itself has only four original characters left in its lineup — all of them part of Intelligence. While the police procedural has introduced Josephine Petrovic as potentially Upton’s replacement, showrunner Gwen Sigan previously revealed that nothing is set in stone yet. If that’s the case, Chicago PD is better off bringing back Antonio Dawson to fill the spot that Upton vacated. Aside from being just a replacement, Dawson can also be Voight’s right-hand person — a role he originally played before he left.

As a stickler for rules because of his strong moral compass, Dawson effectively played this part, so it shouldn’t be that difficult for him to reclaim that role.

It’s no secret that Voight has mellowed in the last several years. While NBC and Wolf Entertainment haven’t properly addressed this change in the character, it’s likely brought about by the nationwide controversy about police brutality. At the peak of Voight’s viciousness, he was usually kept in check by someone from Intelligence. As a stickler for rules because of his strong moral compass, Dawson effectively played this part, so it shouldn’t be that difficult for him to reclaim that role. Beyond that, it would also be great to see him back with Voight and his other former co-workers.

Why Jon Seda Left One Chicago & Could Dawson Actually Return?

It’s The Best Time To Bring Dawson Back

There was no clear reason given as to why Seda exited in Chicago PD season 6, but the consensus has been that the character has run his course. The creatives decided to write him out of the series instead of keeping him in the show without any compelling personal storyline. Since then, Seda played the lead role on La Brea, which recently ended, effectively paving the way for his One Chicago return. For what it’s worth, Voight actor Jason Beghe commented on the matter, saying that he would love to have Seda back as Dawson in Intelligence.

Obviously, it’d be wonderful to have him back. He’s a fantastic actor, and just a classy gentleman, professional, just fantastic human. So, I’m in, but I’m not the one who makes that call. But, if he’s interested, I’m sure we could make at least some space for an arc if he doesn’t want to be a series regular. But yeah, we could use some new people, who knows, maybe it’ll be Antonio coming back.

For context, the comment from Beghe came after Seda was spotted reuniting with his former Chicago PD co-stars during season 12’s wrap party. Soffer was also at the same party, so it wasn’t made a big deaal initially. However, despite exiting One Chicago, the Halstead actor has actually returned a couple of times to try his hand at directing. That was also the case in the last year. Meanwhile, Seda hasn’t been involved in the police procedural for five years — since Dawson left Intelligence. Once that set in, then the idea that Seda may be able to come back.

How Antonio Dawson Was Written Out Of Chicago PD

Dawson’s Chicago PD Exit Was Due To His Personal Issues

When Seda left in Chicago PD season 6, it wasn’t the first time that he exited Intelligence. For a brief time, he was positioned to be one of the main characters of Chicago Justice — the failed fourth One Chicago series, which only ran for one season. NBC and Wolf Entertainment pulled the plug on the project after realizing that it was far too similar to the franchise’s already-established Law & Order universe. When the offshoot was canceled, Dawson returned to Intelligence full-time, but not for long, as he was eventually written out of One Chicago for good.

In Chicago PD season 6, the seasoned Intelligence detective developed a substance abuse problem following a shoulder injury. He tried to keep it from his co-workers but went to great lengths to sustain his addiction, which led to Voight finding out. Considering his loyalty to his team, the Intelligence leader went to great lengths to save his deputy. Unfortunately, he could only do so much. Dawson ultimately decided it was best to walk away from the force, enter himself into a rehab facility so he could get past his addiction, and relocate to Puerto Rico.

Bringing Back Dawson To Intelligence In Chicago PD Season 12 Shouldn’t Be Difficult

Voight Decides Who Joins Intelligence

By the time he moved, Dawson was already long separated from his wife. So it was a much easier decision to do as compared to if they were still together. He left being on fairly good terms with everyone in Intelligence, making it easier for him to reincorporate himself back into his old team. Since Voight pretty much decides who joins the squad, he will likely be more open to taking him again, considering their history of working together. In any case, the Intelligence leader never used Dawson’s substance abuse against him. Instead, he was mostly sympathetic to the predicament.

For what it’s worth, Dawson has worked with the majority of the people left at the District, including Sgt. Trudy Platt.

Between this and the team’s desperate need for a second-in-command in Chicago PD season 12, bringing back Dawson is the easiest and best way to fill the spot that Upton vacated. While it may involve a learning curve, considering how long he has been away from Intelligence, it wouldn’t be as long compared to bringing in someone entirely new. For what it’s worth, Dawson has worked with the majority of the people left at the District, including Sgt. Trudy Platt. As seen so many times in his stint with the team. he’s also trustworthy and capable in his work.

That said, it’s still important that Chicago PD season 12 shows that Dawson has indeed overcome his substance abuse issues. This may even be part of his compelling comeback storyline, which would be a great way to re-introduce him to a new legion of fans who may not know him. All of this is, of course, assuming that Seda still wants to come back — something that he alluded to before.