Chicago P.D. - Characters & Cast

Initially motivated by personal power and the safety of Chicago, his motivation shifts toward protecting his unit as his only remaining family. He is driven by the belief that he must be the "monster" so his officers don't have to be.

Voight begins the series as a borderline criminal who served time in prison. Over 13 seasons, he evolves from a man who uses the law as a personal tool into a protector who realizes he is a dying breed. His arc is defined by the loss of everyone he loves (his son, his best friend Al, his protégée Erin), leading to a late-series struggle between his "old" violent instincts and the necessity of reform.

Driven by a pure sense of justice and, later, the need to provide a stable life for her adopted daughter, Makayla, while surviving a high-risk profession.

Starting as a bright-eyed patrol officer, Burgess faces immense physical and psychological trauma. Her development takes her from an optimistic rookie to a battle-hardened detective and mother. Her long-term arc is defined by her on-again, off-again relationship with Adam Ruzek, culminating in their marriage in Season 12.

Motivated by the desire to reform the system from within and protect his community while maintaining his personal integrity.

Atwater's arc is the most grounded in real-world cultural shifts. He matures from a supporting officer into a leader who often stands at odds with Voight's methods. He frequently grapples with the duality of being a Black man and a police officer in Chicago, often facing systemic racism within the force.