The odds of Sophia Bush returning for Chicago PD season 12 aren't good

Fans of Chicago PD keep holding out hope that Erin Lindsay may return. Sadly, the odds of Sophia Bush coming back to the show may not be that good!

When Chicago PD premiered in 2013, Erin Lindsay was set as one of the stars. A former street kid turned petty crook, Erin was rescued from jail by Hank Voight, who fostered her. Lindsay eventually joined the Chicago PD and worked her way up to the Intelligence Unit with Hank, seeing her almost like the daughter he had never had.

Lindsay proved her toughness in the field, handling any task coming her way. She briefly joined the FBI only to realize she couldn't handle the political overtones of the job and returned to the Intelligence Unit. She also forged a relationship with fellow cop Jay Halstead that blossomed into a romance. 

Erin had issues with her mother, Barbara "Bunny" Fletcher, who kept getting them into trouble. This built up to the Season 4 finale when Lindsay crossed the line beating on a suspect to find a missing boy. As she was suspended, Bunny got her involved, trying to cover up Bunny shooting her boyfriend. The ensuing investigation meant Lindsay's career as a Chicago cop was over, but Hank pulled some strings to get her a job with a narcotics unit in New York City.

The last we saw of Lindsay, she was heading on a train out of Chicago, unaware Jay had been planning to propose to her. She was briefly mentioned in the Season 5 premiere with confirmation she was gone and that's been the last we've seen of her. Fans are hopeful for a possible return with Lindsay back in Chicago on a case and catching up with the gang. 

Sadly, there's a good reason why Bush may not be returning to the show and it’s all tied into how she left in the first place.

Why did Sophia Bush leave Chicago PD?

The reason why Sophia Bush left Chicago PD wasn't because of money or her wanting to move. Rather, it was because she couldn't stand the hostile work environment. 

While there were rumors at the time, Bush came forward in 2018, telling Dax Shepherd's podcast that she'd been subjected to verbal abuse on set from Beghe. It took its toll on Bush, who could no longer handle it and asked to be written out of the series.

"I quit because, what I've learned is I've been so programmed to be a good girl and to be a workhorse and be a tug boat that I have always prioritized tugging the ship for the crew, for the show, for the group, ahead of my own health. The reality was that my body was, like, falling apart, because I was really, really unhappy. When someone assaults you in a roomful of people, and everyone literally looks away… and you're the one woman in the room, and every man who's twice your size doesn't do something, you go, 'Oh, that wasn't worth defending? I'm not worth defending?'"

An internal investigation by NBC had Beghe offering a public apology for his behavior and an "anger coach" placed on set to smooth over such matters. However, Bush has continued to discuss it such as in 2023 with her former One Tree Hill co-star Hillarie Burton on the podcast they share with fellow castmate Bethany Joy Lenz. That included taking a shot at how the whole thing was handled. 

"I don't know what I'm supposed to do that my next employers rebranded sexual assault with witnesses as anger management issues; in the press," Bush said.

Given all that, it's understandable why Bush is wary about possibly returning to Chicago PD. Even with so much time passed, her comments show she still has problems with her treatment and returning to the show, especially with Beghe, will be too much for her. 

It would be good to see Lindsay again, even if only for a cameo. At the same time, her story did close out with Lindsay knowing her time in Chicago was done and going back reopens a lot of old wounds. She's better carving a new life for herself in New York and nice to think she's found a new love and appreciation for herself. It's best to think of Erin moving forward rather than stepping back in her life.

Bush has continued her career with the short-lived CBS medical drama Good Sam and an advocate for women's rights groups and issues. However, her comments prove that the chances of Erin Lindsay coming back to Chicago PD are pretty much non-existent, no matter how much fans would love to see it.

Chicago PD Seasons 1-11 streaming on Peacock.