Jason Beghe is the face of Chicago PD. Other characters have been crucial to the show's lasting appeal, but it's impossible to conceive of the show without Beghe's grizzled performance as Hank Voight. He's also been on hand for most of Chicago PD's most notable episodes.
It's always fun to compare one's personal favorite episodes to the ones chosen by the actors who appear in them. The selections they make are typically unexpected, and this was very much the case when Beghe was asked to pinpoint the episode that most stood out to him over the last 11 seasons. We figured he'd pick a Voight heavy story, but he did the complete opposite.
Jason Beghe considers "Marie" the most "special" episode
The actor settled on the season 12 episode "Marie" as the one he feels is the most impactful in the show's history. He told People Magazine that he was considers the episode to be "fantastic," largely due to the performance of his co-star, Patrick John Flueger. Beghe felt Flueger upped his game and delivered a masterclass, especially given the episode's grim happenings.
"'Marie,' to me is one of the most lovely," Beghe explained. "It's a very, very, very special episode. Paddy is just so good. I feel like he found his comfort zone and his voice this season which is just it's so gratifying for me because I love him so much." The actor went a step further, and claimed that his co-star has been the stealth MVP of the entire season. "[Flueger] has always been great, but there's just something special this season."
The actor also highlighted the season 11 finale
"Marie" managed to top Beghe's previous pick for favorite Chicago PD episode, which was the season 11 finale. The episode not only gave Hank Voight a chance to shine, but it marked the last appearance (to date) of Hailey Upton (Tracy Spiridakos) and a cameo from Alvin Olinsky (Elias Koteas). It's far and away one of the most notable PD outings in recent memory, which Beghe acknowledged at the time.
"I think it's if not the best, one of our best episodes ever," the actor said during a 2024 appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. "It was one of the best episodes that I've ever enjoyed making." The fact that "Marie" has superseded the season 11 finale in Jason Beghe's mind speaks not only to the impact of Flueger's acting, but the fact that PD is continuing to push its performers and its stories despite being on the air for over a decade.
We can only hope the trend continues, and that Beghe has another favorite come season 12.