“That smug face you’re wearin’, it’s gonna come off.”
As we all are die-hard fans of the Chicago franchise, Chicago P.D. stands out. This series focuses on the personal & professional lives of patrol officers & department’s elite Intelligence Unit of the 21st District. We have seen some heartwarming moments in the ten seasons while some just crushed our hearts.
In this journey, we have started to like some characters more than others. So it’s only fair if we list down the most likable characters. Before we began, can I say making this list was one of the toughest things to do? There are several characters to choose from, and all of them seem to be fans’ favorites. So if we missed out on your favorite one in choosing The Best Chicago P.D. Characters, apologies. Although we do know you are gonna love this!
Kevin Atwater
Played by – LaRoyce Hawkins
Period– Season 1- Present
He was one of the consistent officers, and we have come to love him for his nobility and bravery. From a young age, he has been a legal guardian to his younger siblings. Since he’s the only black member, he fought for human rights. He is never afraid to call out fellow officers for how they treat Black suspects. Furthermore, he has advocated for more Black officers to be included in the Intelligence Unit, though this hasn’t happened in Chicago PD yet. Atwater is a much kinder and more understanding officer than his colleagues.
Alvin Olinsky
Played by – Elias Koteas
Period – Season 1 – Season 6
Alvin has unwavering loyalty to his loved ones. Al had his sense of justice and sometimes took matters into his own hands off-book. A hardened man, who spent time in the military, has a soft heart. At the start, we thought he wasn’t able to have a friendly bond with the younger officers, although he has proved several times that he deeply cares for them. We all must have cried when Olinsky was stabbed in prison, his journey might have been short, but he won our hearts. That’s why he comes in our list of The Best Chicago P.D. Characters.
Kim Burgess
Played by – Marina Squerciati
Timing – Season 1- present
We all can agree that she’s a much better CPD Intelligence Unit officer than the others. She treats her suspects & Witnesses better than others. We also saw she has a stronger sense of remorse, which meant t she was unable to do her job after she accidentally shot a teen. As the state’s attorney’s office investigates the incident, Burgess remains not only sympathetic and remorseful but justified in her action. Her kindness have been seen in several scenes. My favorite one was when she caught a woman shoplifting to feed her son. She paid for her and threatened the shopkeeper when he didn’t bulge.
Trudy Platt
Played by – Amy Morton
Timing – Season 2- present
I think there’s almost no one who can say she doesn’t deserve to be on the list of The Best Chicago P.D. Characters! The hard-headed Sergeant is a strong, confident woman who takes it very seriously if someone tries to cross her. She will try not to get involved in people’s personal lives. She might be hard to read but often softens with a few detectives. She’ll get worried if someone gets hurt in the line of duty. Her professional & personal self is quite different. If you see her with her family, you’ll get fooled. There’s just never a dull moment when she’s on the screen.
Erin Lindsay
Played by – Sophia Bush
Timing – Season 1- Season 4
Her short time in the series has hurt her fans, and no matter how many new characters we get introduced to, no one is like her. The detective is a role model for anyone who wishes to turn their life around; Erin morphs from a drug peddler in her teenage years to a hardworking student and eventually a law enforcement officer, thanks to Voight’s care and tutelage. If someone who faced as many hardships as her, they could have easily turned cold, but she always had a compassionate heart. That’s why Erin is one of The Best Chicago P.D. Characters.
Hank Voight
Played by – Jason Beghe
Timing – Season 1- present
We can’t forget Hank Voight, the main leader and a brilliant man who has been the backbone of the series. Hank takes great pride in his job and works hard to protect his city. The methods he uses got him called Criminal’s worst nightmare. He’s known to everyone, including criminals and higher federal law agents. Voight portrays a tough guy that likes to get the job done, no matter how many people he hurts or how many rules he breaks, and is perceived as dirty by others. He might show the tough act, but we all saw his teary goodbye to Erin, who he raised like her own daughter. Hank tops the list of The Best Chicago P.D. Characters.