Witness the Transformation: Tracing the Paths of Chicago P.D.'s Enduring Cast
Jason Beghe: The Enduring Presence of Sergeant Hank Voight
Jason Beghe's portrayal of Sergeant Hank Voight significantly boosted his acting profile. Before joining "Chicago Fire" in 2012, he was recognized for his role in "Monkey Shines" (1988) and various smaller parts in shows like "Picket Fences" and "Melrose Place." Unlike some initial cast members, Beghe has remained a central figure throughout "Chicago P.D.'s" extensive run, leading to limited live-action appearances outside the series, though he lent his voice to animated projects like "Superman: Unbound" and "BoJack Horseman." In 2017, an NBC investigation reportedly looked into his behavior on set after complaints from co-star Sophia Bush. In his personal life, Beghe was married to Angie Janu from 2000 to 2020, with whom he has two children. He is also a notable former member and critic of the Church of Scientology, having been involved from 1994 to 2007.
Jon Seda: From Boxer to Detective Antonio Dawson
Jon Seda's journey into acting was unconventional, utilizing his amateur boxing background to secure his first significant role in "Gladiator" (1992). This was followed by appearances in "Selena" alongside Jennifer Lopez and Steven Spielberg's miniseries "The Pacific." His experience playing Detective Paul Falsone in "Homicide: Life on the Street" and "Law & Order" prepared him for his role as Antonio Dawson in "Chicago Fire" and subsequently "Chicago P.D." After departing "Chicago P.D." in 2019 after season six, Seda joined the primary cast of NBC's sci-fi drama "La Brea," starring from 2021 to 2024. He married Lisa Gomez in 2000, and they have four children together.
Sophia Bush: Detective Erin Lindsay's Exit and Post-Show Career
Sophia Bush became Detective Erin Lindsay in "Chicago Fire" in 2013 and continued the role in "Chicago P.D." starting in 2014. Despite the success, her dissatisfaction with the series eventually led to her departure. As she shared with Refinery 29 in 2017, while certain aspects of the role were fulfilling, she realized by the second season that she could no longer continue. Since leaving in 2017, Bush has maintained a busy schedule with various television and film projects, including a recurring role in "Grey's Anatomy" beginning in 2024. "One Tree Hill" enthusiasts also enjoy her "Drama Queens" rewatch podcast with Hilarie Burton Morgan and Bethany Joy Lenz. Bush had a brief marriage to "One Tree Hill" co-star Chad Michael Murray from 2005 to 2006, and later dated "Chicago P.D." castmate Jesse Lee Soffer from 2014 to 2016. She married businessman Grant Hughes in 2022, but they separated in 2023. Currently, she is linked romantically with soccer player Ashlyn Harris.
Jesse Lee Soffer: From Soap Opera to Senior Detective Jay Halstead
Jesse Lee Soffer was previously recognized for his extensive role as Will Munson in the soap opera "As the World Turns," appearing in approximately 500 episodes. His career took a new turn when he entered Dick Wolf's police procedural universe, taking on another significant television role. Soffer originated the role of Detective Jay Halstead in "Chicago Fire" in 2013, extending his character across multiple shows within the franchise, including becoming a main character in "Chicago P.D." in 2014 and making appearances in "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and "Chicago Med." He was a constant presence in the series for nearly a decade, playing a relatable yet flawed character. As Soffer explained to Variety in 2023, Detective Halstead was "deeply flawed, because everybody on 'Chicago P.D.' is. But he’s definitely a good person, with really good motives." His tenure on the series concluded in 2023. During his time on the show, Soffer dated co-star Sophia Bush from 2014 to 2016 and "Chicago Med" actress Torrey DeVitto from 2018 to 2019. In 2024, he joined the cast of "FBI: International" for its final season.
Patrick John Flueger: Officer Adam Ruzek's Journey and Beyond
In 2014, Patrick John Flueger took on his most prominent role to date as Adam Ruzek in "Chicago Fire" and "Chicago P.D.," where he remains a current cast member. Despite his long-standing involvement, he admits that certain storylines still surprise him. Reflecting on the 200th episode in a 2023 interview with Us Weekly, Flueger mentioned, "99.9 percent of the time that I catch an episode that wasn’t filmed yesterday, I’m like, ‘What? That’s surprising…’ I remember what happened after that day of work more than I remember the day of work. Like, ‘Oh, I remember that. That’s where we went that weekend, and we got the party bus to wherever.’ That’s kind of how I measure time — less moments of work and more moments of tremendous fun." While primarily dedicated to "Chicago P.D.," Flueger has also pursued other projects, including an appearance in an episode of the reboot series "4400."
LaRoyce Hawkins: Officer Kevin Atwater's Significant Role and Cultural Impact
LaRoyce Hawkins' portrayal of Officer Kevin Atwater has been a cornerstone of his career, with his character featuring across "Chicago Fire," "Chicago Med," and "Chicago Justice." As the sole Black actor in "Chicago P.D.'s" main cast, his role gained particular significance amid broader cultural conversations about policing. "I knew it was important for us to do a few things, and one of them was to uplift the image of the Black man and allow our audience to reimagine policing as we understand it," Hawkins shared with the Chicago Sun-Times in 2021. "I knew that change is something that the world needs. Change was a theme of episodes my character was going through." While still a part of "Chicago P.D.," Hawkins has also secured a recurring role in the sitcom "South Side" and played a key part in the Marvel limited series "Ironheart." Hawkins is a father to a son named Roman, born in 2017.
Marina Squerciati: Officer Kim Burgess and the Nuances of Copaganda
Marina Squerciati takes on the role of Officer Kim Burgess across "Chicago P.D.," "Chicago Fire," and "Chicago Med," also guest-starring in an episode of "Chicago Justice" in 2017. While grateful for the shows that brought her recognition, Squerciati has also candidly discussed the complexities of police portrayals. In a 2021 interview with the Chicago Sun-Times, she supported co-star LaRoyce Hawkins' call for a more authentic depiction of police work and its community impact. She stated, "I think that you can’t start a cop show — a Chicago cop show in a post-George Floyd world — without acknowledging it. I feel like that would be socially irresponsible. Now, I don’t think the show does everything perfectly because it’s a television show, but I think addressing reform is really important." Although her primary focus remains Officer Burgess, Squerciati has also explored other creative avenues, such as writing and acting in the short-lived series "Special Skills." Squerciati has one child with her husband, Eli Kay-Oliphant.
Archie Kao: Detective Sheldon Jin and the Leap of Faith into Acting
Archie Kao came to "Chicago P.D." as an accomplished actor, having previously captivated young audiences in "Power Rangers: Lost Galaxy" (1999) and held a long-standing role as Archie Johnson in "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation." His prior experience in police procedurals served him well when he joined "Chicago P.D." as Detective Sheldon Jin in 2014. As Kao shared with the podcast "Why You No Doctor" in 2017, his decision to run for vice president of the student body in college inspired him to pursue an acting career, and he now encourages aspiring actors to take similar risks. He emphasized, "I think you just need to be bold, because no matter what, the clock is ticking. We only get so much time, so do it because all that other stuff will fade away, but it’s your life. Be bold." After his time on "Chicago P.D.," Kao became a main cast member in the shows "My Dear Boy" and "Interior Chinatown." Kao married actress Zhou Xun in 2014, and they divorced in 2020.
Elias Koteas: Senior Detective Alvin Olinsky's Extensive Career and Tragic Exit
Elias Koteas was already a seasoned veteran of the entertainment industry when he joined the "Chicago" franchise. His impressive filmography includes "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" (1990), "Crash" (1996), "The Thin Red Line" (1998), and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (2008), among many others. This wealth of experience prepared him to portray veteran undercover detective Alvin Olinsky in "Chicago Fire" from 2013 to 2017. "Al" quickly became a pivotal character in "Chicago P.D.," with Koteas also appearing in spin-offs "Chicago Med" and "Chicago Justice." Tragically, his character was killed off at the close of season five. Since leaving "Chicago P.D." in 2018, Koteas has taken on diverse roles, appearing in films like "The Baker" (2022), "Janet Planet" (2023), and "The Silent Planet" (2024). On television, he has featured in Amazon Prime's legal drama "Goliath" and Paramount+'s "Guilty Party," which has since been removed from the streaming service.
Amy Morton: Sergeant Trudy Platt's Theatrical Roots and Television Presence
Amy Morton has cultivated a powerful presence in both theater and on screen. A two-time Tony nominee for her performances in "August: Osage County" and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf," she also delivered memorable roles in films such as "Up in the Air" (2009) and "Bluebird" (2013). By the time she joined the "Chicago P.D." cast in 2014, she brought a wealth of skill and creativity to her role as Sergeant Trudy Platt. Over the years, Morton has also appeared in the spin-offs "Chicago Med" and "Chicago Justice," as well as the original series "Chicago Fire," and continues her role in "Chicago P.D." She also captivated audiences with her performance in season one of "The Bear" and her supporting role in "It Ends With Us" (2024).
Brian Geraghty: Officer Sean Roman's Departure and Post-Franchise Success
Before joining "Chicago P.D.," Brian Geraghty had accumulated years of acting experience, which contributed to his strong portrayal of Officer Sean Roman beginning in season two. Like many of his co-stars, Geraghty also appeared in "Chicago Fire" and "Chicago Med." However, he left the franchise in 2020, and by his own account, he has no plans to return. "I felt like I got some closure to [Officer Roman]," Geraghty told TV Line in 2020. "The show’s doing great, and there’s no need to bring another character back… I had such a great relationship with the show in general, but also [executive producer] Dick [Wolf]. I certainly am open to it. But I don’t think anybody’s trying to just fill some void." Since departing "Chicago P.D.," Geraghty has been a regular presence in series such as "The Fugitive," "Big Sky," and "1923." He also featured in the Ted Bundy film "Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile" (2019) on Netflix.
Tracy Spiridakos: Detective Hailey Upton Halstead's Dedication to the Force and Farewell
After leaving a strong impression in "Bates Motel," Tracy Spiridakos joined "Chicago P.D." in season four as Detective Hailey Upton in 2017. Once a part of the show, she fully embraced the demanding world of police procedurals. In addition to her role in "Chicago P.D.," she has also made appearances in "Chicago Med," "Chicago Fire," and "FBI." According to Spiridakos, playing Detective Upton was a labor of love. "She’s a really well-rounded character," Spiridakos told Chicago-based magazine Modern Luxury in 2022. "She’s a strong woman yet also vulnerable; she’s not just one thing. She’s not just tough and badass without anything else… When I read the script, I never really know what’s going to happen with her and what direction she’s going to go. That’s been very fun for me to play." Although Spiridakos departed "Chicago P.D." after season eleven, she is slated to star in the upcoming USA drama series "Anna Pigeon.