Did the Chicago P.D. showrunner hint at some iconic characters making a comeback? Explored

Fans of Chicago P.D., the cop show under the One Chicago umbrella, might get to see some old friends again. Gwen Sigan, the showrunner, talked to Screen Rant in January 2025 and hinted she'd like to bring back some big names from the past.

While nothing's set in stone, her words have got people guessing who might pop up again. Some of the characters fans are hoping to see are Antonio, Jay, Hailey, and Sean. Now that Chicago P.D. is in its 12th season, bringing back these old characters could stir up some warm, fuzzy feelings.

There are still some loose ends to tie up.

"I’m always curious about what happened to Antonio," Sigan shared.

For the fans who've been with it since the beginning, the idea of seeing what happened to Dawson after he left, or maybe even an Upstead reunion, is like a breath of fresh air.

Why does Gwen Sigan want Antonio Dawson back on Chicago P.D.?

Gwen Sigan's interview had a big reveal that got everyone talking. She's curious about Antonio, the character Jon Seda plays on the show. When Antonio left suddenly in Chicago P.D. Season 7, it left fans with so many questions.

Sigan said that if they go back and tell more of Antonio's story, it could answer some of those questions and give the fans some closure:

“I felt like he left in such a state—what was his character going through and how did he get out? I think it’d be really interesting to see where he is now.”

It would also be interesting to see how Antonio and Jason Beghe's character, Hank Voight, are getting along now.

If Antonio comes back to Chicago P.D., it would add feelings to the show right now because the team would have to deal with him returning after such a long time.

The possibility of an Upstead reunion on Chicago P.D.

Jay Halstead and Hailey Upton, played by Jesse Lee Soffer and Tracy Spiridakos, are characters who hit home with the viewers on Chicago P.D. They're the couple everyone's rooting for, so when they called it quits in Season 11, fans were bummed out. People started calling them "Upstead" because they fit so well.

Now, when someone brings up their names, it's a little hint that maybe, just maybe, they could make a surprise comeback in the show.

“Maybe in some universe they’re together someplace. Who knows?”

Even if it's just for a single episode, it would be huge for the fans. It could either wrap up their story neatly or stir up some old feelings and drama.

And let's not forget, there's still a lot to explore with Halstead off in the military and Upton stepping into his shoes back home. Her dealing with the pressures of his old job could be interesting, especially if they have to face each other again.

Sean Roman's wild card return to Chicago P.D.

Sean Roman, played by Brian Geraghty, is someone Sigan talked about who could shake things up if he came back to the show. The last time we saw Roman, it was in Season 7, and he had gone through a lot.

He was out for blood after his sister's murder, which showed a side of him we hadn't seen before—like he's not just a good cop anymore. If they bring him back, it could stir up a mess of drama for the Intelligence Unit, making everyone question right from wrong. It'd be like watching a ticking time bomb.

Roman's tangled up with his old work buddies, and there's this heavy baggage from what he did last time.

“Anyone could come back and be in such a different place than they left,” Sigan noted.

This makes you think about how great it could be to see old characters come back and mix things up a bit. It's a new chapter you didn't know you needed.