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It’s never easy to say goodbye when a character leaves Chicago P.D. Each season is packed with some of the best, most complex characters on TV, which makes it hard for fans to part ways. One character that fans still remember fondly is Gabby Dawson’s brother, Antonio Dawson, played by Jon Seda.
Antonio’s Journey in the Chicago Franchise
Jon Seda has been a key player in the Chicago franchise, appearing in multiple shows. He first captured audiences in Chicago Fire, then transitioned to Chicago P.D., and even starred in the short-lived spinoff, Chicago Justice. It’s not just me; a lot of fans get emotionally invested in TV characters and feel a real sense of loss when they leave! So let’s dive into why Seda left Chicago P.D. and what happened to Antonio.
Why Did Antonio Leave Chicago P.D.?
Antonio Dawson left Chicago P.D. because he wanted to move to Puerto Rico to be closer to his loved ones. This change was also part of his journey to recover from drug addiction, which he had been dealing with after going to rehab. In the first episode of season 7, titled “Doubt,” we see Hank Voight, played by Jason Beghe, help Antonio find the support he needs.
According to Deadline, Antonio’s departure was a natural progression for his character, and the writers felt it was the right time for him to go. While fans might have wanted to see him stick around forever—especially since he had such a strong bond with Voight (who isn’t exactly known for being warm and fuzzy)—at least he got a happy ending. By season 8, episode 9, titled “Best Friend Magic,” we learn that he’s working in the Bahamas, helping people in life-or-death situations.
While it’s tough to see beloved characters leave, especially sweet and strong ones like Antonio, the show has to balance a large cast, which means making some tough calls about who stays and who goes.
Antonio faced significant challenges during his time on the show. In season 6, he struggled with painkiller addiction after injuring his shoulder. Things escalated when he ended up killing a character named Jason Rizzo after Rizzo abducted his daughter, Eva.
Even though it’s always sad to lose a main character, fans of the Chicago series know that cast changes are part of the game. Seda took a brief hiatus during season 4 to star in Chicago Justice, but he was thrilled to return to Chicago P.D. in season 5 after Justice didn’t get renewed. He shared with The Hollywood Reporter that he felt lucky to have had such a long run, saying, “Actors hope to get one year of a show, and here I started on Fire and that turned into four years of P.D. and then Justice, so it was a great opportunity, and if that was all it was going to be, I was very happy for that.”
In 2024, Seda mentioned that starring on Chicago P.D. was “special” and “unique.” He reassured fans, saying, “Antonio didn’t die. He’s still alive.” While there hasn’t been an official announcement about his return to the show yet, there’s always a chance he could come back! With season 12 premiering on September 25, 2024, it would certainly be a nice surprise if Antonio made a comeback.