10 Best Characters in the One Chicago Franchise, Ranked

Dick Wolf’s One Chicago franchise consists of three active series; Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med. The three series cover the lives of first responders working in the Illinois metropolitan city of Chicago. The three series are some of the most popular currently airing on NBC as well as on the steaming service Peacock.

The One Chicago franchise is home to a large cast of characters spread over the three series. A great aspect of the series is how often the characters cross over to all three series. This consistent crossover nature allows for the franchise to feel more fleshed out and dimensional compared to other franchises that have less crossovers. The characters in the One Chicago franchise are an essential part of the longevity of this franchise.

10. SEpatha Merkerson as Dr. Sharon Goodwin Brings Calm to a Hectic Series

Sharon Goodwin is the fearless leader of Gaffney Chicago Medical Center, also known as Chicago Med, and serves as the Director of Patient and Medical Services. Goodwin is the beating heart of the hospital and uses her past experience as a nurse, as revealed in Season 1, Episode 4, “Mistaken,” to understand the needs of her staff and patients. Her caring nature and calculating mind make her an excellent addition to the team of doctors and nurses at Chicago Med.

Goodwin has faced many trials and tribulations during her time on Chicago Med. She has had to fight against special interest groups maligning the healthcare workers at the hospital as well as devastating health crises affecting her loved ones. Nevertheless, Sharon Goodwin shows up to work ready to put in her best effort to ensure that everyone at the hospital gets the care and resources they deserve. While she is undoubtedly a fantastic character, other characters’ storylines are more well-rounded and resonate throughout the overarching story longer than Goodwin’s.

9. Elias Koteas as Detective Alvin Olinsky Had Grit an Undeniable Cool Factor

Detective Alvin Olinksy is a veteran Chicago Detective who works alongside his old friend and partner, Sergeant Hank Voight. Olinksy is not afraid to color outside the lines in the interest of justice. He has this trait in common with Voight, but he is a much more composed character and is good at hiding his emotions and acts as a mentor figure to the younger team members while still ribbing them for their youthful traits.

Sadly, Alvin Olinsky was stabbed in prison after being framed for a crime he did not commit. His death in Season 5, Episode 22, “Homecoming,” devastated his oldest friend and partner, Hank Voight, as well as his team members in the Intelligence Unit. Alvin’s death was dramatically avenged by Hank Voight in a revenge killing. He is remembered fondly by his surviving team members. Olinksy brought experience to his squad and a personality that blended wit and grit. However, he faded into the background easily compared to more dynamic characters on his team, such as Hank Voight.

8. Sophia Bush as Detective Erin Lindsay Brought Passion to Chicago P.D.

Detective Erin Lindsay made her mark on the early seasons of Chicago P.D. by bringing equal parts edge and emotional turmoil to every episode of Chicago P.D. She was raised in a difficult environment before being taken in by Hank Voight and his family as a child. This window into Hank Voight’s personal life gave Lindsay a unique understanding of this enigmatic man, which led to them developing a familial relationship.

Erin Lindsay’s character is no stranger to personal drama, but it’s done in a way that makes her character feel more human. Her flaws complement her strengths, such as her passion and drive for justice. She was a fantastic addition to the series and a certified scene stealer for Chicago P.D., and her exit in Season 4, Episode 23, “Fork In the Road,” was an emotional send-off for the character. Lindsay was a standout character during her seasons on Chicago P.D., but her personal dramas became repetitive, and other more positive aspects of her character were lost as a result.

7. David Eigenberg as Firefighter Christopher Herrmann is a Mentor Figure to Young Firefighters

Chicago Fire has a cast stacked with talent, and one of the brightest stars of the series is Christopher Herrmann. He is one of the veteran firefighters of Firehouse 51 and is one of the longest-serving characters in the series. Hermann has comedic elements to him, such as his entrepreneurial foibles, although one, a bar named Molly’s, introduced in Season 1, Episode 14, “A Little Taste,” proves successful. However, Herrmann’s more serious storylines are where this character shines.

Herrmann’s long duration as a firefighter makes him a mentor figure for the younger firefighters in the series. He may have a brusque nature, but the compassion he holds for others is undeniable and one of his best attributes. Herrmann has helped some of the Chicago Fire’s most popular characters, such as Firefighters Gabi Dawson and Darren Ritter, grow in confidence and skill as firefighters. Herrmann’s role as a mentor makes him an essential addition to the Firehouse 51 team, but it can wholly encompass his character and cause his own personality to be lost,

6. Colin Donnell, as Dr. Connor Rhodes is a Covertly Complex Character

When Chicago Med debuted as the third series in the One Chicago franchise, Dr. Connor Rhodes was introduced as a member of the main cast. Rhodes has an air of mystery surrounding him as he is the newest addition to the hospital. He makes a dramatic entrance in Chicago Med, Season 1, Episode 1, “Derailed,” as a member of a train crash who stitches himself up and immediately gets to work treating the victims of the same disaster he was a part of.

Dr. Rhodes is also a disruptive character. He shakes up the environment he is inserted into, especially when it comes to Dr. Will Halstead. The two men come from very different backgrounds, and this fact, paired with their Type-A personalities, causes them to butt heads. Even as Rhodes buries the hatchet with Halstead and meshes in with his new environment, he still retains his identity and popularity among the characters of Chicago Med. Dr. Connor Rhodes being involved in so many interesting plotlines, such as his family drama and his multiple romantic exploits, was a double-edged sword for his character. He was always involved in interesting drama, but this resulted in his character lacking a sense of stability.

5. Nick Gehlfuss as Dr. Will Halstead is Smart and Loyal

The introduction of Detective Jay Halstead’s brother Doctor Will Halstead into Chicago P.D. continued a trend of the One Chicago Franchise using established characters and newly introduced siblings to expand the franchise. This first began with the Dawson siblings with Chicago P.D.’s Detective Antonio Dawson being introduced by his sister, Paramedic/Firefighter Gabi Dawson, on Chicago Fire. Introducing Will Halstead was a dual-pronged success, as it fleshed out Jay Halstead’s character and added a new character with franchise potential into the mix.

Dr. Will Halstead shares the best qualities of his brother Jay but expresses them in a new way. Will is also caring, smart, and loyal to others. While Jay is a bit more forward, Will tends to take a step back and look at things more practically. However, they both share a headstrong nature that can get them into trouble. Will is the primary character that was used to launch the new hit series Chicago Med in the backdoor pilot episode and was an instrumental aspect of the series’ success due to his relatable nature. Will was one of the best characters on Chicago Med, but his character development sometimes took a back seat and was substituted with repetitive romantic plotlines with Dr. Natalie Manning.

4. Jesse Lee Soffer as Detective Jay Halstead is Headstrong On and Off The Clock

Jesse Lee Soffer was introduced to viewers of the One Chicago Franchise under surprising circumstances in Chicago Fire. He was undercover as a criminal working alongside a gangster threatening and exploiting Herrmann, Dawson, Otis, and Cruz over the proceeds of Molly’s Bar. His undercover reveal and his chemistry with Gabi Dawson provided some shocking drama for the early episodes of Chicago Fire Season 2. Jay only grew as a character when he moved to the second series and was added to the One Chicago franchise, Chicago P.D.

Jay was one of the original members of the Intelligence Unit when Chicago P.D. debuted. Jay isn’t a rookie, but he is one of the younger members of the team and can sometimes get ahead of himself. He proved himself over time, and his strength is undeniable and pairs well with his wisecracks and deadpan snark he takes with suspects and team members alike. Jay’s loyalty is also one of his strong suits, which is seen in Chicago P.D. Season 3, Episode 3, “Actual Physical Violence,” where he was prepared to go in against regulations to take down the man holding his friend Mouse hostage. Jay’s character growth was a great addition to Chicago P.D. and helped uplift several different storylines. Despite this, his impulsiveness led him to make some frustrating decisions, such as divorcing his wife by mail after he moved to Bolivia to help a military task force.

3. Miranda Rae Mayo as Firefighter Stella Kidd is a True Leader

Stella Kidd was introduced in Season 4 of Chicago Fire and has been on the rise ever since. Kidd is one of the most popular characters of the series despite being a newer character compared to some of the other characters on the series who originated in the pilot. Kidd has risen through the ranks and is being mentored by Chief Boden, who has stated he sees great leadership potential in her. Her fiery personality and skills come together to make her both interesting and capable, which is the combination needed to stand out against an ensemble cast laden with big personalities.

Stella Kidd has overcome great personal hardships in her life, such as an abusive relationship and a lack of biological family bonds. Despite all that Kidd has endured, she has demonstrated great inner strength and survived her harsh past. This strength comes into play during every rescue she works on and helps her save lives. Stella also goes out of her way to help others in her community, even starting a community group to help raise awareness of firefighting as a career option for young girls. There is no doubt that Stella Kidd is the future of Chicago Fire.

2. Jason Beghe as Sergeant Hank Voight is an Incredibly Complex and Engrossing Character

Sergeant Hank Voight has had one of the most interesting character arcs in the One Chicago franchise. Voight began as an antagonist on Chicago Fire who made an enemy of Firefighter Matt Casey after launching a harassment campaign on him and his loved ones after Casey refused to alter evidence from Voight’s son’s drunk driving incident, which resulted in a dangerous accident. Voight was eventually imprisoned before striking a deal with Internal Affairs, which led to his promotion to Sergeant and the formation of the Intelligence Unit that Chicago P.D. is based around.

Hank Voight may have a clear mission of justice, but his unpredictable nature gives every episode of Chicago P.D. an air of intrigue. He is unafraid to be vicious in order to put criminals in jail, such as in Chicago P.D., Season 4, Episode 19, “Last Minute Violation,” where he threatens a criminal to leave town after his actions influenced the rape of an Officer’s sister. Voight colors outside the lines regularly, which gives him enemies both on the right and wrong side of the law. With Hank Voight in the role of leader, every episode of Chicago P.D. has no limits on what is possible. This unpredictable nature and flexible yet correctly aimed moral code make Voight a complex and entertaining character.

1. Eamonn Walker as Chief Wallace Boden is a Leader and a Mentor

The best character in the One Chicago franchise comes from the original series itself, Chicago Fire. Chief Wallace Boden leads Firehouse 51 and takes his responsibility as a leader incredibly seriously. Boden has faced many obstacles as a leader, including false accusations of assault that were levied against him by arsonist Roger Maddox to discredit Boden before he testified at his trial. Despite opposition from criminals, politicians, and fellow firefighters, there was never any doubt in Boden’s devotion to his firefighters and paramedics.

Boden steps up for his people in more than just workplace matters. He supported his people through personal loss and heartbreak and was always there as a resource. In more wholesome moments, he could also be found supporting his people. Recently, he stepped up to walk Stella Kidd down the aisle in her wedding to Kelly Severide in Season 10, Season 22, “The Magnificent City of Chicago,” to which he was visibly emotional and honored to be asked. Boden is an incredibly well-rounded character who is not only the best character on Chicago Fire but also in the franchise overall.