Is Chicago PD setting up for Upton's replacement?

Chicago PD is facing the loss of another character at some point during or at the end of this season. Upton is leaving Intelligence, and it looks like the show could be getting us ready for her replacement.

During the latest harrowing episode, Voight turned to an SVU detective for help. We got to meet Josephine Petrovic (Bojana Novakovic), who is known as a great profiler. It was quickly clear that she is nothing like other detectives.

The promo for the new episode looks to be setting her up as being involved in dirty dealings in some way. Why would she solve cases but not put her name to them? It’s likely that she isn’t in it for the credit but just to do her job. I do wonder if we’re going to see Upton find her replacement.

Why this time could be different for Chicago PD

Fans worried earlier in the season that a police officer was coming in as Torres’s replacement. That was without even thinking that Torres was leaving the series. We found out early in the season that Torres was on furlough to aid his sick mother, but he has been back since.

Danny Alvaraz was introduced as a potential threat for Torres’s place, but he ended up being a threat to everyone else. He was the one responsible for the death of a young woman at a refugee camp.

Is Chicago PD going to bring in another detective who turns out to be a bad seed? It’s doubtful that the writers would go for the exact same storyline as they did last time. Plus, with Alvaraz’s storyline, there was no hint that he was going to be the bad guy. This time, Chicago PD really wants us to think that something is up with Petrovic because Upton thinks it.

It’s possible that this is setting us up to look at Petrovic more closely to see how she works. It gives her more screentime, and it gives us time to see her and Upton working together. This allows Upton to find someone who can take her place on Intelligence, which would make her someone fans would likely accept a little more.

This is also a great way for the writers to see how fans take to the character. It’s hard to make us like a new character from the start. By warming us up to her and by giving us a few episodes, the show can make sure Petrovic works before making her a permanent team member.

I don’t think the series will go the route of Alvaraz. I have a feeling Chicago PD is testing out the waters with a potential replacement.

Chicago PD airs on Wednesdays at 10/9c on NBC. Catch up the following day on Peacock.