5 Shocking Things To Know About Chicago P.D.'s Return: Is A New Episode Airing Tonight, December 23, 2025?
The question on every Intelligence Unit fan's mind this week is simple: Is *Chicago P.D.* new tonight, December 23, 2025? As the calendar edges closer to the new year, viewers are eagerly checking their TV schedules to see if Detective Sergeant Hank Voight and the team are back on the streets of Chicago with a fresh case. The definitive answer for tonight, Tuesday, December 23, 2025, is no—a new episode of *Chicago P.D.* is not airing. The Dick Wolf drama, which typically airs on Wednesday nights, is currently on its annual winter hiatus, having wrapped up its intense fall run of Season 13.
The good news is that the wait for the mid-season premiere is nearly over, and the return promises to be explosive, picking up right where the fall finale left off. The Intelligence Unit is currently facing internal conflict and high-stakes cases that will define the rest of Season 13. We have the official return date, details on the next episode, and everything you need to know to survive the remaining weeks of the One Chicago winter break.
The Definitive Chicago P.D. Season 13 Schedule (Answering the "When" and "Why")
For dedicated viewers of the One Chicago universe, the winter hiatus is a predictable but painful part of the annual schedule. Knowing the exact return date and understanding why the break happens is key to managing the withdrawal symptoms until the Intelligence Unit is back in action.
1. The Current Status: Winter Hiatus is Officially On
As of December 2025, *Chicago P.D.* is officially on its mid-season break. The show, which premiered its thirteenth season on October 1, 2025, has aired its fall run of episodes and is resting for the holidays. This break is standard practice for all major network dramas, including its sister shows, *Chicago Fire* and *Chicago Med*.
- Last New Episode: Season 13, Episode 7, which served as the fall finale, aired on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
- What's Airing Tonight: On a Tuesday night, NBC is typically airing other programming, and even on its usual Wednesday slot, the network is likely airing reruns of past, classic episodes to keep the time slot warm. [cite: 15 from 1]
2. The Exact Return Date for the Winter Premiere
Mark your calendars and set your DVRs! The wait is a short one. The *Chicago P.D.* Season 13 winter premiere is slated to air on:
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2026
The show will return to its usual time slot, airing at 10 PM ET/PT (9 PM Central) on NBC, immediately following the return of *Chicago Fire* and *Chicago Med*, completing the highly anticipated One Chicago return.
3. Why the Long Mid-Season Break?
The extended mid-season break, which runs from mid-November to early January, is primarily a scheduling and production necessity. The network avoids airing new episodes during the competitive holiday season when viewership is traditionally lower due to travel and festive activities. Furthermore, the production teams use this time to catch up on filming and post-production work to ensure the rest of the season can air without further unscheduled interruptions. This strategy ensures a strong, uninterrupted run of new episodes in the new year.
What to Expect When the Intelligence Unit Returns (Mid-Season Premiere Spoilers & Theories)
The winter premiere, which will be Season 13, Episode 8, is titled and teased to be a major turning point for the Intelligence Unit. Fans are buzzing with anticipation over several key storylines that were left hanging in the balance during the fall finale.
4. Episode 8 Synopsis: The High-Stakes Search
The mid-season premiere is expected to dive straight back into a critical case. Early synopses suggest the episode will heavily feature Voight and the team in a frantic search for a missing person, identified as 'Julie,' while also confronting a character named 'Raymond Bell.' This suggests a deeply personal or high-profile case that will test the unit's resolve and potentially lead to more internal scrutiny.
The fall finale left fans on a cliffhanger involving Internal Affairs (I.A.) potentially getting involved in the team's operations, a recurring source of tension for Voight and his unorthodox methods. The return episode will likely address the fallout from this, forcing the team to navigate an investigation from within while simultaneously tackling a dangerous case on the streets.
5. Key Storylines and Character Arcs to Watch
Season 13 has set up several compelling character arcs that will continue to drive the narrative in the second half of the season. Keeping track of these entities is crucial for understanding the overall direction of the show:
- Detective Hailey Upton's Future: Following the departure of her partner, Jay Halstead, Upton's character arc has been one of intense emotional and professional re-evaluation. Her journey to find her new footing within the unit and her relationship with Voight remains a central focus.
- Voight's Leadership: Hank Voight's (Jason Beghe) leadership style is always under fire, especially from I.A. His commitment to protecting his team, often by bending or breaking the rules, will be severely tested as the season progresses.
- Ruzek and Burgess: The ongoing, complex relationship between Adam Ruzek (Patrick John Flueger) and Kim Burgess (Marina Squerciati), affectionately known as "Burzek," continues to be a fan favorite. Their professional partnership and personal lives, especially as co-parents, will face new challenges.
- The New Dynamics: The integration of newer or evolving characters, such as Officer Kevin Atwater (LaRoyce Hawkins) and Officer Dante Torres (Benjamin Levy Aguilar), provides fresh perspectives and new dynamics to the Intelligence Unit's operations and ethical dilemmas.
The Core Entities of Intelligence: Season 13 Cast and Characters
The strength of *Chicago P.D.* lies in its ensemble cast, the core "entities" whose personal and professional lives are constantly intertwined. While the show is on hiatus, revisiting the main players is a great way to maintain topical authority and prepare for the mid-season return.
Main Cast of Chicago P.D. Season 13
The Intelligence Unit remains anchored by a dedicated group of actors, each bringing a unique dimension to the high-stakes drama of the Chicago Police Department.
- Jason Beghe as Detective Sergeant Hank Voight: The uncompromising head of the Intelligence Unit, Voight is the moral and sometimes amoral center of the show. His dedication to justice often puts him at odds with the legal system.
- Tracy Spiridakos as Detective Hailey Upton: Known for her intense focus and sharp investigative skills, Upton has been navigating significant personal shifts and remains a key figure in the unit's operations.
- Patrick John Flueger as Officer Adam Ruzek: A passionate and often impulsive officer, Ruzek's journey has involved growth, but his commitment to his family and his job continues to be a source of dramatic tension.
- Marina Squerciati as Officer Kim Burgess: Burgess is a resilient and compassionate officer whose strength is often found in her empathy, balancing the brutal realities of police work with her personal life.
- LaRoyce Hawkins as Officer Kevin Atwater: Atwater is the unit's moral compass. His storylines often explore the complex relationship between the police and the community, bringing a crucial layer of social commentary to the show.
- Benjamin Levy Aguilar as Officer Dante Torres: The newest full-time member of the unit, Torres brings a background that often informs his unique approach to cases, and his mentorship under Voight is a major Season 13 arc.
Where to Watch and Catch Up During the Break
If you're looking for your *Chicago P.D.* fix before the January 7, 2026, return, there are several ways to stream and catch up on the intense Season 13 fall episodes or rewatch classic moments:
- Peacock: Full episodes of *Chicago P.D.* Season 13 are available to stream the day after they air on NBC, making Peacock the primary streaming home for the series.
- NBC.com and NBC App: Recent episodes are also available on the official NBC website and app.
- Reruns: Check your local listings, as NBC often airs reruns of *Chicago P.D.* on Wednesday nights in the 10/9c time slot during the hiatus.
While *Chicago P.D.* is not new tonight, December 23, 2025, the brief pause ensures a fresh and action-packed return. The Intelligence Unit will be back on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, so prepare for a thrilling second half of Season 13!
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