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Jon Seda played Antonio Dawson, the former second-in-command of Hank Voight’s Intelligence Unit, in Chicago P.D. for many years. Seda left the show for good following season 6, though some fans hope he will return someday. Seda was absent from Chicago P.D. Season 4 but eventually returned to the show. So what’s the real reason Seda was written off for good?

Jon Seda as Antonio Dawson in Chicago P.D. Antonio is wearing a brown leather jacket and looks upset.
Jon Seda as Antonio Dawson | Matt Dinerstein/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

Jon Seda played Antonio Dawson on ‘Chicago P.D.’

Seda’s character Antonio goes through a lot during his time on Chicago P.D. His stressful and dangerous job takes a toll on his marriage and his wife Laura leaves him, taking their two children. In season 4, Antonio accepts a job at the State’s Attorney’s Office as Lead Investigator. However, things don’t work out and he returns to the Intelligence Unit in season 5.

Antonio also has his fair share of injuries, including getting nearly fatally shot in season 1. In Chicago P.D. Season 6, Antonio becomes addicted to oxycodone while recovering from a shoulder injury. Seda left the series following the end of season 6. Season 7 explained that Antonio checked into rehab to get clean and later resigned and moved to Puerto Rico to be with his family.

Why did Jon Seda leave ‘Chicago P.D.’?

Seda was dedicated to the One Chicago franchise and appeared in episodes of Chicago Fire and Chicago Justice as well as Chicago P.D. At the end of his time on the show, Seda wrote a heartfelt goodbye to fans on his Twitter. “It’s been an honor portraying Det. Antonio Dawson in the #OneChicago world,” he wrote.

“To my cast #Family, I’ll always treasure the time and stories we shared. To all you #chihards out there, THANK YOU for being the best of fans! We’ll Always have CHICAGO.” Fans were sad to see Seda go, and the reason for his departure seems a bit unfair.

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Deadline alleges that the feeling was that Seda’s character had been played out and that there was nothing more to be done with Antonio. Fans were disappointed to see him go, and even more disappointed to see the sad direction the writers went with his character.

“Antonio used to be my favorite character, but they really ruined his character when they did a complete 180 and took him from by the book, rule-loving guy to an addict that barely gets any screen time,” a fan wrote on Reddit. Perhaps more could have been done with Antonio if his character had not been written down such a dark path.

Will Antonio Dawson ever return to ‘Chicago P.D.’?

Since leaving Chicago P.D., Seda has gotten involved in the NBC series La Brea. His role as Sam Velez no doubt keeps him pretty busy, so it seems unlikely that he would come back to Chicago P.D. permanently. However, it’s not impossible that he could return in the future.

Chicago PD showrunner Rick Eid hasn’t completely ruled out his return as a possibility. “I think the door’s always open for someone like Jon. Everybody here loves him, thinks he’s a great actor. Of course,” Eid told CinemaBlend. For now, fans will have to wait and see if Seda ever comes back.

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