Chicago PD season 10: Will Elias Koteas return as Alvin Olinsky?

Alvin Olinksy (Elias Koteas) is in rarified air for Chicago PD fans. While he didn’t always adhere to the law, his charisma and his insistence on doling out justice alongside his longtime friend Voight (Jason Beghe) made him an easy fan-favorite.

Of course, Olinksy’s appeal is the same thing that doomed him to a tragic death in season 5. His death shook Voight and the rest of the IU to its core, and all subsequent deaths have been likened to Olinksy’s in terms of impact.

Here’s what you need to know about the character’s status going into season 10.

Why did Alvin Olinsky leave Chicago PD?

While the character has been dead for half a decade, there are still PD fans who question whether he could make a return in a future episode. This is not the case. There are no plans to bring Olinksy back to the show in season 10, or at any other point in the future.

While it may seem obvious, given Olinksy’s demise, the One Chicago franchise has actually set a precedent for bringing back deceased characters. Andy Darden (Corey Sorenson) died in the pilot for Chicago Fire, yet briefly returned in a season 3 flashback. PD could attempt something similar with Olinksy, but the show is less reliant on flashbacks than its peers.

There’s also the issue of time. It’s been several years since Koteas donned the badge and gun, so the notion of bringing him back to play a younger version of Olinksy grows less realistic with each passing year.

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When asked to explain the process that led to Olinksy’s death, showrunner Rick Eid told EW that it was simply the best direction for the show.

"“It was one of the things that just evolved from the storytelling this season”, he explained. “Just all the writer speak and creative things, it was a really compelling idea. Ultimately, the final decision is just really hard because everybody loves Elias, and he’s a great actor and a great person. It’s hard. That’s honestly how it all came about.”"

While Koteas has certainly been missed, his death did prove to be a crucial turning point for PD. The show proved that it was willing to axe a beloved character for the sake of good storytelling, and while it hasn’t happened since, the fact that there’s a precedent keeps fans on the edge of their seat.

For the latest Chicago PD season 9 spoilers and news, plus more on the entire series, follow the Chicago PD category at One Chicago Center.