Torres' future on Chicago PD thrown into question by season 11 premiere

Chicago PD had lots of cliffhangers to address in the season 11 premiere. There was the fate of Adam Ruzek (Patrick John Flueger), and the status of Hailey Upton (Tracy Spiridakos) and her marriage to Jay Halstead (Jesse Lee Soffer).

Ironically, the first big cliffhanger addressed in the episode is the location of rookie officer Dante Torres (Benjamin Levy Aguilar). Torres was introduced as a protege of Halstead's in season 10, but his status within the IU was thrown into question when he resorted to extreme interrogation tactics.

SPOILERS ahead for Chicago PD season 11 episode 1

CHICAGO P.D. -- "Fight" Episode 1020 -- Pictured: (l-r) LaRoyce Hawkins as Kevin Atwater, Marina Squerciati as Kim Burgess, Patrick John Flueger as Adam Ruzek, Jason Beghe as Hank Voight -- (Photo by: Lori Allen/NBC) /

Torres was nowhere to be found in the season 10 finale, and the same is true for the season 11 premiere. Instead, we learn that the rookie officer has been placed on furlough in order to help his mother. His absence has been notable, however, because it has left an opening within the IU that Hank Voight (Jason Beghe) has refused to fill.

A furlough is defined as a "suspension or discharge of a worker or workers on account of economic conditions or shortage of work, especially when temporary." Torres' personal life was alluded to in the season 10 finale, but this is the first time that we've gotten official confirmation for his absence.

Dante Torres has been on furlough for 6 months

CHICAGO P.D. -- "Pink Cloud" Episode 1005 -- Pictured: Benjamin Levy Aguilar as Dante Torres -- (Photo by: Lori Allen/NBC) /

It's worth noting that the season 11 premiere takes place six months after the events of season 10, which means Torres has been gone for over half a year. It's easy to understand why Voight has come under fire for not finding a replacement, especially considering that Ruzek has also been out of commission.

It's unclear whether Torres will be returning to the show anytime soon. It's an encouraging sign that the show has gone out of its way to explain his absence, but there have also been instances in the past of characters who were written out without much fanfare or explanation, i.e. Vanessa Rojas (Lisseth Chavez).

Do you want to see more Torres in season 11? We think the character deserves more screen time!

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