Is Chicago P.D. New Tonight? 5 Critical Updates On The Season 13 Return Date And Winter Premiere

The answer is a definitive no: Chicago P.D. is not airing a new episode tonight, Thursday, December 18, 2025. Like its sister shows, Chicago Fire and Chicago Med, the gripping police procedural is currently on its annual mid-season hiatus, taking a break from its high-stakes drama on NBC. The Intelligence Unit’s elite team, led by Sergeant Hank Voight, will not be back with fresh content until the new year, meaning fans will have to wait a little longer to resolve the intense cliffhangers from the fall finale. The entire "One Chicago" franchise is observing this traditional winter pause.

The good news is that the break is almost over, and the official return date for the second half of Season 13 has been confirmed. The show will be back to its regular Wednesday night slot, bringing new cases and character developments. This extended break gives viewers a chance to catch up on the first half of the season, which has been packed with personal and professional challenges for the dedicated officers of the 21st District. The wait is worth it, as the mid-season premiere is set to dive straight back into the action and address key storylines.

Definitive Return Date and Winter Premiere Details

The wait for new episodes of Chicago P.D. is officially over in the new year. The second half of Season 13, which has been delivering intense drama since its October 1, 2025 premiere, will resume its run on NBC.

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• Official Return Date: Wednesday, January 7, 2026
• Time Slot: 10:00 PM ET/PT (following Chicago Fire and Chicago Med)
• Network: NBC (New episodes available to stream the next day on Peacock)
• Next Episode: Season 13, Episode 7

The winter premiere marks the end of the lengthy fall break that began after the fall finale aired in November. The "One Chicago" block—comprising Chicago Fire Season 14, Chicago Med Season 11, and Chicago P.D. Season 13—will all return on the same night, restoring "Windy City Wednesdays" to the NBC schedule. This synchronized return is a relief for fans who have been anxiously awaiting the continuation of the major storylines left unresolved before the hiatus.

The Title and Synopsis of the Next New Episode

The episode that will kick off the second half of Season 13 is titled "Impulse Control." While this episode was the fall finale, the return on January 7, 2026, will be the first new episode of the year. The plot is expected to pick up immediately where the fall action left off, focusing on a high-stakes case that tests the moral boundaries of the Intelligence Unit.

Early promotional details and recaps of the fall finale suggest that the episode will focus on Sergeant Hank Voight's ongoing suspicions and a violent break-in that steers the unit toward a challenging investigation. The case will likely tie back to the long-running narrative arc involving the character Raymond Bell, whose crimes and connection to the unit's past have been a central theme this season. The return episode will likely provide much-needed clarity on the full extent of Bell's actions and how Voight and his team will finally bring him down, all while dealing with the emotional fallout of the investigation.

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Major Storylines and Cast Updates for the 2026 Return

Beyond the immediate case in "Impulse Control," the winter premiere and the subsequent episodes of Season 13 are poised to address several crucial character arcs that have been building since the season began. The show excels at balancing procedural drama with deep personal stories, and the 2026 return promises to deliver on both fronts.

The Highly Anticipated Return of Officer Adam Ruzek

One of the most significant pieces of cast news confirmed for the new year is the return of Officer Adam Ruzek, played by Patrick John Flueger. Ruzek was on an extended personal leave from the Intelligence Unit, a storyline that allowed the actor to take time off from production. His absence has been felt by the team, particularly by Officer Kim Burgess (Marina Squerciati), with whom he shares a daughter, Makayla. Flueger was spotted back on set in December 2025, confirming that Ruzek will return to the show's narrative in early 2026. Fans are eager to see how Ruzek's return will impact his relationship with Burgess and the overall dynamic of the unit, especially after the intensity of the fall season.

Ruzek's return will undoubtedly be a major emotional beat for the show, providing a sense of stability after a period of high tension. His character’s journey has always been one of redemption and dedication, and his reintegration into the Intelligence Unit is a highly anticipated event that will drive several episodes forward.

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Voight’s Blackmailer and the Raymond Bell Investigation

Sergeant Hank Voight (Jason Beghe) remains the moral and operational center of the Intelligence Unit, and his storyline in Season 13 has been particularly dark. The fall finale left viewers hanging with the investigation into Raymond Bell, a complex antagonist whose actions have had far-reaching consequences. The winter premiere is expected to continue this high-stakes cat-and-mouse game, with Voight closing in on Bell. The show has hinted at a blackmailer targeting Voight, and the resolution of this threat is paramount to the unit's stability. Voight's willingness to bend the rules for justice is constantly challenged, and the Bell case is putting him to the ultimate test.

This storyline is a classic example of Chicago P.D.’s focus on ethical ambiguity, forcing viewers to question how far is too far in the pursuit of justice. The resolution in the second half of the season is expected to be explosive, potentially having long-term ramifications for Voight and the entire team.

How to Watch and Catch Up During the Hiatus

While new episodes are on hold until January 7, 2026, there are multiple ways to enjoy and catch up on the intense drama of the Intelligence Unit. This is the perfect time for a binge-watch of the "One Chicago" universe, including Chicago Fire and Chicago Med.

• Streaming: All current and past episodes of Chicago P.D., including Season 13, are available to stream on Peacock. NBC's streaming service is the go-to platform for next-day viewing of new episodes.
• Reruns: Check local listings for reruns on NBC and other syndicated networks like Ion Television. While these are not new episodes, they offer a chance to revisit classic cases and character moments.
• The "One Chicago" Universe: Remember that Chicago P.D. is a spin-off of Chicago Fire and is part of the interconnected "One Chicago" world created by Dick Wolf. Watching the other shows can provide context and background for characters like Kevin Atwater (LaRoyce Hawkins) and Kim Burgess, who often interact with the Firehouse 51 and Med staff.

The return of Chicago P.D. in January 2026 is one of the most anticipated events of the mid-season television schedule. With the promise of Ruzek’s return, the continuation of the Raymond Bell saga, and the always-compelling leadership of Sergeant Hank Voight, the second half of Season 13 is set to be one of the most memorable yet. Mark your calendars for Wednesday, January 7, 2026, and prepare for the Intelligence Unit to be back on the case.