‘Chicago P.D.’ Star Jason Beghe Talks Portraying A More Vulnerable Voight; Addresses ASA Chapman Shippers

This season of NBC’s Chicago P.D. has been a struggle for Hank Voight (Jason Beghe). But after escaping death after being grabbed by a serial killer and then losing one of your closest teammates, no one can fault the big boss for being in his feelings.

Deadline has an exclusive clip from tonight’s episode “The After,” (above) airing at 10 p.m. on NBC, showing Voight and ASA Chapman (Sara Bues) working closely on his latest case. This will certainly get Voight/Chapman shippers in a tizzy—I know it did me—but is Voight even the relationship type? After his wife’s tragic death and how he mourns her so till this day, is he capable or even interested in having a new woman in his life romantically? Beghe on all that and more in our Q&A below.

DEADLINE: Jason, what can you share about the state of mind we find Voight in this season?

JASON BEGHE: I think the near-death experience and all these things that have happened changed him, as seen in the first episode, he’s a changed man. He wants to kind of rip off a piece of bread and make sure he gets all the gravy off the plate. It doesn’t really matter if he’s tired, or anybody else is, for that matter. Right now, he’s willing to experience anything.

DEADLINE: Since ASA Chapman joined the show, there are a large group of fans shipping her and Voight. What do you think about that?

JB: What does shipping mean?

DEADLINE: [Laughs] Shipping means fans want two people to be in a relationship.

JB: Okay. [Laughs] As far as shipping goes, it’s not something he’s ever really thought about. Over the years, there’s been this thing, “Oh, maybe Voight should have a girlfriend.” I just always thought he was devoted to Camille. He wasn’t lonely, he was just alone because he has this deep sense of honor. He had made this commitment to this woman, and it was a simple commitment. He wasn’t the kind of guy who would be tempted because there was some spectacular, attractive, remarkable other woman that came into his life. It wasn’t even something he would consider as possible because he had made his commitment and I don’t think that that commitment ever stopped when his wife died. It was like, “This is my lady and I’m set,” which is a nice thing, and I will be her man.

The reason this happened was because Hank was shocked and almost shocked that he was shocked because he was the only person who wasn’t shipping Hank. Everybody’s out there shipping Hank, and you know, he’s got a lot of interesting qualities. You could see a woman feeling a romantic interest in him or that they see his qualities. He’s probably not for everybody, but who is, you know?

DEADLINE: What can you tease about what’s yet to come from Voight this season? Do you think he will surprise us?

JB: I think the only thing you can know for sure is that Hank Voight is trying to evolve. He leads a fairly responsible life. If you look at him over the last 12 years, he’s changed a lot and I like to think that it’s been organic. It’s not just like, “Oh, now he’s a nice guy,” you see the effort and work he puts into himself and his job and his interactions with people.

There are clear moments when he exposes himself to himself. That’s one of the things that I like and admire about him, and frankly, what keeps him interesting. I think it’s safe to say that he will continue to evolve and discover and uncover more of himself this season.

This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.