In the dramatic Season 11 finale of Chicago P.D., Sergeant Hank Voight, played by Jason Beghe, faced a powerful moment that included the surprising return of his late friend Alvin Olinsky, portrayed by Elias Koteas. Olinsky had died after being stabbed in the Season 5 finale, making his appearance in Season 11 a deeply emotional surprise for fans and cast alike.
The scene unfolds as Voight, bleeding and held captive by a serial killer, sees Olinsky. The old friend greets him with a calm question: “What’d you get into this time, Hank?” Voight wonders if this is how it feels to die. Olinsky responds firmly, “There’s more. You don’t get to die here.” This moment gave Voight the strength to survive.
Jason Beghe shared his feelings about this reunion, describing it as “beyond extremely beautiful and very fulfilling and emotional.” He explained that the idea to bring Elias Koteas back came from him. Beghe said, “Elias is very special to me. Having a moment together was a treasure. I don’t think there was a dry eye on the set. I love that man in so many different ways.”
The return was not just meaningful for Beghe but also for the entire production team. Showrunner Gwen Sigan revealed that the idea had been in the works for a long time. “Jason actually had this pitch about somehow bringing Elias back,” she said. “To Jason, Elias lives in his head. It’s just a part of who Voight is.” Sigan explained that the storylines finally aligned to make the return possible and believable. She added, “I am so grateful it worked out and thankful to Elias for coming back. It was such a special moment to have him on set. He looked exactly the same and was in his costume again. Everyone, from the crew to the cast, was thrilled.”
Beghe hopes fans will see more of Olinsky’s presence in the future. He imagined moments where Voight sits alone, sipping coffee, quietly talking to Olinsky’s memory. “Al never says anything,” Beghe said. “Then Voight gets up, and you realize Olinsky isn’t really there. It’s all in his mind.” He explained this would show Voight’s emotional connection without making him seem crazy, simply capturing his way of dealing with loss.
The return of Elias Koteas’ character was a heartfelt tribute to a beloved role and a highlight of the season. It reminded viewers of the deep bond between the characters and offered a powerful emotional anchor for the series moving forward.
