Here's Where You Know The Cast Of Chicago P.D. From
If we know nothing else about Dick Wolf, we know for a fact that the famed creator and producer loves a good cop procedural drama. His genius mind has given us some exquisite prime time television, from "Law & Order" to "FBI" and even "New York Undercover" (per IMDb). On his gargantuan roster is "Chicago P.D.," another mega-hit show that spun off "Chicago Fire" and is now part of a trio of shows in the "Chicago" franchise (the third being "Chicago Med").
Through his imagination, he's managed to create a tight-knit community of actors who've bonded over their experiences working on the show. "It's a pretty big family," he stated at a press conference back in 2019. "Everybody gets along. I mean, there are no squeaky wheels in the cast." Even for the veteran producer, the camaraderie between the three shows' cast members came as a bit of a shock. "I've never had anything like it, which is, I think only visible to the audience by the fact of how good they are together. There are no line counters. There are no — 'where's my close-up?' It's a remarkably ensemble-like world" (via Tell-Tale TV).
With an expansive ensemble cast that's like its own country, naturally he's hired people with varying levels of experience. And while some faces are immediately recognizable, if you've found yourself thinking, "Where do I know him/her from?," you're not alone. Let's take a trip down memory lane and see where you know some of the cast of "Chicago P.D." from.
Sophia Bush has been in our lives for a very, very long time
At this point, Sophia Bush has been in so many shows and movies that it may be hard to pinpoint exactly where you know her face from. And while she has an expansive list of roles, the actor rose to fame playing Brooke Davis on The CW's "One Tree Hill" (via IMDb). Though the show skyrocketed her right onto Hollywood's A-list, it was her acrimonious relationship with co-star and fellow teen idol Chad Michael Murray that had the "OTH" fandom in a tizzy. Their short-lived marriage ended in flames as the pair separated only five months after tying the knot (via People).
The ill-fated marriage wasn't the only bitter takeaway from her days on "OTH." In 2017, Bush, along with some of her former cast and crew members, took to Twitter (via ET Online) and opened up about the mistreatment they reportedly faced while working on the show, revealing they were, "to varying degrees, manipulated psychologically and emotionally ... [and] put in uncomfortable positions."
Unfortunately, her stint on "Chicago P.D." ended in similar fashion. While Sophia Bush had been tight-lipped about her untimely exit, she told the "Armchair Expert" podcast that she left because of reportedly abusive working conditions. "It was a consistent onslaught barrage of abusive behavior," she stated. "I quit because what I've learned is I've been so programmed to be a good girl ... that I have always prioritized tugging the ship for the crew ... My body was, like, falling apart because I was really, really unhappy."
Jesse Lee Soffer played a very famous sibling
Prior to playing Det. Jay Halstead on "Chicago P.D.," Jesse Lee Soffer was a member of one of the most famous fictional families to ever hit the big and small screens — the Brady Bunch. Back in 1995, Soffer played Bobby Brady in "The Brady Bunch Movie" and reprised the role a year later in "A Very Brady Sequel." Those who don't remember him from his days as a child star will certainly remember his face from a more recent project. The actor played murder victim Travis Alexander in Lifetime's adaptation of the Jodi Arias story, titled "Jodi Arias: Dirty Little Secret." While the buzzy film is a world away from his "Brady Bunch" days, it's hardly his first foray into crime dramas. Over the course of his decades-long career, he's also made guest appearances on "CSI: Miami," "The Mentalist," and "Rizzoli and Isles" (via IMDb).
Though we know him as Halstead on "Chicago P.D.," Jesse Lee Soffer actually initiated the role in "Chicago Fire." He has since been able to bounce around the "Chicago" franchise over the course of his tenure playing the detective. "It's a huge universe that Dick Wolf has created for the fans to tune into, where you might fall in love with these characters over here, love that dynamic with this team over here, and then ... see them interact," he said in an interview with Popcorn Talk. "It's really fun for the fans and I'm just glad to be part of it" (via YouTube).
Jason Beghe was in a Home Alone sequel before Chicago P.D.
Before reboots were a thing, Hollywood was plagued by something else — the sequel. We're talking "Son of the Mask," "Mean Girls 2," every single "Friday the 13th" that came after the first one, and "Home Alone 4: Taking Back the House," which is where you'd probably recognize Jason Beghe from (via IMDb). Prior to leading the Intelligence Unit as Hank Voight on "Chicago P.D.," Beghe played Peter McAlister, the patriarch in the "Home Alone" franchise. His portrayal — and the movie as a whole — was hammered by critics (via Rotten Tomatoes), mostly because this sequel didn't have any of original actors.
His "Home Alone 4" days are behind him, however, as he has successfully played Det. Voight on "Chicago P.D." for the series' duration. And while his character is the mysterious leader of the pack, he is the only one who hasn't had a love interest yet. That is, until Season 8 ... maybe?
While speaking about the upcoming season, Jason Beghe hinted that Voight might forge a connection with Nicole Ari Parker's Sam Miller. "Every season, it seems that I get to have some kind of an adversary or counterpart. Usually, it's an adversary. She's more of a compatriot in a way, which is new and different," he told Us Weekly. "I think if there is a kind of heat or attraction there, these are two people who are very serious people ... I would suspect that the danger of that screwing up what they're both trying to accomplish together, would inhibit them from following through."
Jon Seda raised the standard for boyfriends everywhere
Unless you have literally been living under a rock, you know exactly where you recognize Jon Seda from. Before this handsome actor played the gunslinging detective Antonio Dawson on "Chicago P.D.," he was stealing our hearts (and raising unattainable standards for our boyfriends) with his portrayal of Chris Perez in the Oscar-nominated film "Selena." Seda famously played the late singer's devoted husband alongside Jennifer Lopez in the 1997 blockbuster (via IMDb).
Fast forward, and Seda was back in the spotlight in 2012 when he had a recurring role on "Chicago Fire" as Antonio Dawson. He went on to reprise the role when "Chicago Fire" spun off into "Chicago P.D." (and briefly in another spin-off series, "Chicago Justice," which aired only one season). He played the second-in-command detective from 2012 to his departure in 2019. Unlike Bush, who apparently left under duress, Jon Seda didn't say much about his final bow on the show, simply expressing his gratitude on 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."
Nicole Ari Parker is a bonafide Hollywood veteran
Much like Sophia Bush, Nicole Ari Parker has been on our screens for so long, pinning her down to one specific project may be difficult. The 50-year-old actor got her start in films such as "Boogie Nights and "Brown Sugar," as well as the TV show "Soul Food" back in the early 2000s. More recently, she had a recurring role in NBC's "Empire," where she played Giselle, an associate of the Lyons (via IMDb). It seems the actor has been super busy, since — in addition to her role as Samantha Miller on "Chicago P.D." — she's also been added to the cast of the "Sex and the City" reboot, "And Just Like That ..." (via Deadline).
But fans need not worry — Nicole Ari Parker won't be permanently trading in her gun for some Manolos any time soon. She seems to be fundamentally attached to Sam Miller and what she represents not only in the "P.D." universe but to the world as well. "There's a lot of issues in the country and a lot of ways to come at them creatively through the show," she told Shadow and Act. "There's the white, male-dominated scenario and adding in this Black female character who's the highest-ranking officer that you can become. The next person above me is the mayor. You'll see how difficult affecting change really is, not just administratively, but also emotionally." Needless to say, we will be watching with bated breath.
Patrick Flueger is no longer the dorky best friend
Ever wondered what happened to dorky Jeremiah from "The Princess Diaries?" (via IMDb). Probably not. But odds are you've been inadvertently thirsting after him since he grew up to be a total badass. That's right, that quirky teenage sidekick to Lilly grew up to be a door-kicking, dedicated cop, who, just like many of us, is in constant pursuit of "the one." Patrick Flueger's Adam Ruzek has been in an on-again, off-again relationship with Marina Squerciati's Kim Burgess since "Chicago P.D.'s" first season. Their torrid romance has been the subject of a ton of fanfare, so much so that it's got its own name — Burzek. Beloved as it is, this pair's dynamic seems to always crash — whether that's from yet another night spent together that doesn't lead anywhere or culminates in the accidental conception of a baby.
"I feel like they have an incredible adult relationship. Adult relationships are not what you see in movies, it's not what you read in storybooks. It's a little more complicated than that," he broke down the relationship to Us Weekly. "Burgess' strength is in her heart, she feels things very deeply. Ruzek's strength is in his conviction and those things don't always necessarily match up. Til the day they die, if they end up together, if they have a million children together, they're gonna be constantly [butting heads] ... then come together at the end of the day. That's how I see it."
Marina Squerciati is a One Chicago staple
Fans of the "Chicago" franchise have probably seen Marina Squerciati quite often. Like many of her co-stars, she's bounced around various shows in that universe, appearing in "Chicago Fire" and "Chicago Justice" while also being a mainstay in "P.D." (via IMDb). However, what's most notable is Det. Burgess' hot-and-cold relationship with Ruzek as well as her personal life outside the team, which got a huge shake-up when the character decided to adopt a baby she had encountered while working a case. The most shocking part was that she decided to list Ruzek, her ex-fiancé, as the custodian in her adoption and not her own kin. Marina Squerciati seems to share the same sentiment as Flueger: Basically, they're each other's lobsters.
"When I read it, I had to call the writers and [ask], 'Are you sure? ...' They explained to me that they felt like the last time we saw my sister, she had suffered a lot of trauma and it doesn't appear that we're that close anymore," she told TV Insider. "No matter what, Adam's my 'ride or die' friend. I don't think that makes them any more a couple. I don't think that their relationship is in a good place. I think just what it shows is that you can't mess with Burgess and Ruzek. No matter what they'll have each other's backs, even when they hate each other." We'll list this one under "It's complicated."
Chicago P.D.'s Lisseth Chavez knows how to make a statement
Lisseth Chavez's stint on the NBC procedural drama may have been only one season long, but it was unforgettable nonetheless — just like her other short-lived stints on "The OA" and "Grey's Anatomy" (via IMDb). The 32-year-old actor has mastered the art of making an impact in a short amount of time, as her two-episode appearance on "The OA" had fans raving due to its twists and turns. Similarly, her arc on "Grey's Anatomy" had them scrambling for the tissue box because, well, Shonda Rhimes was at the helm, and that's just how that goes.
As for why her time as Vanessa Rojas on "Chicago P.D." was cut so abruptly? A few factors were at play. For one, she signed on to play Esperanza "Spooner" Cruz on "DC's Legends of Tomorrow," so the "P.D." producers decided to wrap her character, says Deadline. On top of that, "P.D.'s" Season 7 was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, so Chavez didn't get to put a proper bow on the character. The upside is, if Lisseth Chavez does decide to come back, she can do so seamlessly since her character is not dead.
Elias Koteas knows how to make us laugh
Another pivotal member of the intelligence unit who left, Elias Koteas played the semi-broody, ultra-mysterious and super sarcastic Alvin Olinsky. Many may not remember Koteas' name per se, but the actor has been making audiences laugh for a long time, having played Casey Jones in the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" film in 1990 and then again in 1993. Over the years, he has also appeared in high-profile projects such as "Shutter Island," "CSI: NY," and "Zodiac" (via IMDb).
As for his departure from "Chicago P.D.," it seems Olinsky's death was the natural trajectory to a storyline which all the writers agreed upon. "From a creative perspective, it was a decision that evolved organically from the ongoing storyline between Voight and Woods. The writers and I kept coming back to this idea that Voight's decision to kill Bingham should cost him something," explained Rick Eid, one of the show's writers, to TV Line. "Over time, we landed on the notion that Olinsky should be the person to pay for Voight's sin because Voight admired and loved him so much." Tough break.
Amy Morton's acting chops are Tony Award-winning
Many people will remember Amy Morton from 1993's "Rookie of the Year" and even 2009's "Up in the Air" starring the likes of George Clooney and Zach Galifianakis (via IMDb), but off the big and silver screens, she is also quite a decorated theater actor. Before playing Sgt. Trudy Platt on the show, Morton snagged two Tony Awards for Best Actress in a play for her roles in "August: Osage County" and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" (via Broadway World).
On "Chicago P.D.," Amy Morton plays the hardheaded, no-nonsense Trudy Platt, the matriarch of the bunch. And while she is tough as nails, Morton believes her character still has a lot of love for the gang, just like any mother would. "I think she's incredibly proud of that precinct," Morton told TV Fanatic. "I think she would bet her life on that precinct and I think she has deep trust in all those cops. I don't think this is a character that trusts easily, so I think in order to pass muster with Platt you have to be a damn good cop."
Torrey DeVitto is a prime time TV darling
She may have been a mainstay on "Chicago Med," but you've probably seen this familiar face pop in and out of "Chicago P.D." quite a few times. Prior to her long-running stint in the "One Chicago" franchise, you most likely fell in love with Torey DeVitto when she portrayed one of the few full-blown humans on "The Vampire Diaries," Dr. Meredith Fell, as well as Spencer's often antagonistic sister, Melissa Hastings, on "Pretty Little Liars" (via IMDb).
While fans of the "Chicago" universe loved to hate her, just like her fellow franchise mates, Seda and Bush, DeVitto also chose to bow out, having done six seasons of the hit show. "All good things must come to an end," she wrote of her departure on Instagram. "It has been such an honor and pure joy to bring Dr. Natalie Manning to life for all of you on 'Chicago Med' for the past six seasons. But it is now time for me and her to bow out and say goodbye."
If she did want to revisit the role of Dr. Natalie somewhere down the line, it'll be easy for Torey DeVitto to do so seeing as though her character wasn't killed off but merely fired from the hospital. "Her career is not damaged," showrunner Andrew Schneider told TV Line. "Goodwin did not make a big deal; she just let her go. So she goes on. She is going to be fine."
LaRoyce Hawkins puts the Chicago in Chicago P.D.
Who doesn't love a towering cop who is actually a gentle giant at the core? Such is the case for LaRoyce Hawkins' officer Kevin Atwater. The muscle of the intelligence unit had a rough upbringing, with no real parentage or proper guidance; he basically got where he is by doing the opposite of what everyone around him was doing. And while his life doesn't exactly parallel Atwater's, the two do share something in common: they're both Chicago natives, an asset Hawkins — seen in "South Side" and "House of Payne" (via IMDb) — uses to his advantage.
"I was born in Harvey, Illinois specifically, right outside of Chicago, so honestly that's where I pulled my experience, that's where my references come from," LaRoyce Hawkins told The Knockturnal. "I do my best to make sure my character has the balance and the authenticity that the show needs. Naturally, with a show like 'Chicago PD,' you'd be surprised how many of us actually aren't from Chicago, so with that being said it's up to the people who are — and I'm proud to be one of them. There are other people in the crew and other people affiliated with the show that are from the Chicago area as well, and we just do our best to make sure we add as much reality as possible." And we thank them for it.
Brian Geraghty is exceptional in more ways than one
Fans of "Chicago P.D." will know him as Sean Roman, but Brian Geraghty's resume consists of some other heavy hitters. The actor has rubbed elbows with Hollywood's finest, having starred in films such "Flight" along with Denzel Washington as well as "The Hurt Locker" across from Jeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie. Also on his roster are appearances on "Ray Donovan" and "Boardwalk Empire," among other hit shows (via IMDb). In fact, Dick Wolf, creator of the entire franchise, believes in Geraghty's talent so much that he was one of the few actors who signed a three-year contract. A typical contract in the Dick Wolf universe is usually seven years (via Deadline). The short-term agreement allowed the actor to exit the show after only three seasons.
Brian Geraghty, however, got to reprise his role four years after leaving. "When I [initially] came on the show, I was never supposed to be there long-term," he told TV Line. "So it wasn't anything weird when I left. The time was expired, and I like to move around a lot. I like to play all different parts ..." As for Roman's romance with Burgess? Well, Geraghty thinks there's potential, but don't hold your breath. "I think there's still that chemistry between them, sure. I don't think he's holding a flame for her," he stated. " [But] I don't think that would be totally ridiculous. I could see that in some manner."
Before Chicago P.D., Anne Heche was quite the groundbreaker
Another Hollywood veteran with a storied resume, Anne Heche has been gracing our screens since the late '90s. She's appeared in classic films such as "Wag the Dog," "I Know What You Did Last Summer," and more recently "My Friend Dahmer" and "The Vanished" (via IMDb). Fans will also know her for her groundbreaking relationship with Ellen DeGeneres, whom she dated from 1997 to 2000. The pair was one of the few couples who were decidedly out at that time, a decision she says cost her millions of dollars. "I was in a relationship with Ellen DeGeneres for three-and-a-half years and the stigma attached to that relationship was so bad that I was fired from my multimillion-dollar picture deal and I did not work in a studio picture for 10 years," she stated on an episode of "Dancing With the Stars" (via Vanity Fair).
Thankfully, Hollywood has since taken several leaps in the right direction, and Anne Heche has landed some incredible roles, including that of Det. Katherine Brennan — a corrupt cop whose underhanded moves always left members of the intelligence unit questioning her motives.