In light of his return as Alvin Olinsky in the season 11 finale, Elias Koteas reunites with his former Chicago PD co-stars in new images. The multi-episode case that revolves around a meticulous serial killer comes to a head when Hank Voight is abducted and becomes his next target. While Hailey Upton and the rest of Intelligence scramble to save their leader, Voight fights through hell to stay alive as he suffers from two knife wounds that are slowly killing him. That’s when Chicago PD season 11 pulls its biggest surprise in years by bringing back Olinsky.

In new images from Hailey Upton and Kim Burgess actors, Tracy Spiridakos and Marina Squerciati, Koteas is seen hanging out with some of his old co-stars from Chicago PD. The first batch was taken when Koteas arrived for the filming of his Chicago PD season 11 finale cameo, while the last two photos were from Jesse Lee Soffer’s birthday bash. Check out the snaps below:

Why Olinsky’s Chicago PD Season 11 Cameo Was So Emotional

Olinsky Died In Prison For A Crime He Didn’t Commit.

As an original cast member, Koteas played Olinsky until his death in Chicago PD season 5. His tragic passing has weighed heavily on Voight, who was not only his long-time partner but also his best friend. The pair was very loyal to each other, but the Intelligence leader remains haunted by the guilt over Olinsky’s passing. Olinsky took the fall for Voight killing his son’s murderer, and he willingly went to prison for it. Unfortunately, before Intelligence could come up with a way to get him out, he was fatally stabbed by someone who had a vendetta against Voight.

Considering his death, Olinsky’s Chicago PD season 11 finale cameo is via Voight’s hallucination. As he refused the serial killer’s mandate to call Hailey Upton so he could kill them both, he comes to the acceptance that he is prepared to die, but Olinsky appears before him and essentially motivates him to stay alive because it isn’t his time yet. Koteas seamlessly slips back into his Chicago PD role as if he never left the show, which makes it so much more effective. It’s brief, but it’s the best way to bring back one of One Chicago’s coolest players.

Considering the nature of its characters’ jobs, One Chicago is used to heartbreaking cast departures. That said, seeing him again after so many years is a reminder that Olinsky’s exit remains one of the most gut-wrenching losses in the franchise. It’s curious how his appearance before Voight could impact the Intelligence leader’s thought process as he moves forward in Chicago PD season 12.

Source: Tracy Spiridakos, Marina Squerciati