Chicago PD Instagram post confirms return of THIS character

Chicago PD has had a tricky production schedule in 2024. The Hollywood strikes delayed the start date of the show by several weeks, and cut the usual episode count in half. It has been a mad dash on the part of the writers and actors to get things completed, as evidenced by the recurring multi-week scheduling breaks.

The Chicago PD team is however, nearing the finish line. Marina Squerciati posted a group photo to Instagram over the weekend, revealing that the show is working on its final episode. "Almost done filming for Season 11," the actress wrote in the caption. "I love these people, BUT SWEATPANTS HERE I COME."

Bojana Novakovic will return as Petrovic

It was nice to get an update on the show's production schedule, given how start-and-stop its been compared to prior seasons. The real revelation, however, was who appeared in the picture next to Squerciati. All the usual suspects are present, meaning the main cast members of the show, but the inclusion of one actress in particular turned some heads.

It appears as though Bojana Novakovic will be returning to the fold as SVU detective Josephine Petrovic. The actress is brandishing her fake badge in the photo alongside Benjamin Levy Aguilar, which means she will be making at least one more appearance before the end of the season.

Novakovic debuted in the episode "The Living and the Dead," but it was the following episode, "On Paper," that really established her character within the larger framework of the show. She's a great investigator who's struggling with a drinking problem behind closed doors, and Hailey Upton (Tracy Spiridakos) is the only one who knows about it (for now).

Sara Bues will also return as ADA Chapman

It's unclear whether Novakovic is in the midst of a season-long arc, or is being prepped to take over the IU vacancy that will be left by Upton come season 12. The Chicago PD cast been exceptionally quiet about what's to come in the finale, but Novakovic getting the bump to full-time IU member is a theory that gains more traction the more screen time she gets.

It's also worth noting that the group photo features Sara Bues, which means ADA Nina Chapman will be returning in some capacity before season 11 wraps up.