The Chicago franchise, including Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago PD, has become a staple in primetime television, delivering compelling storylines, dramatic moments, and unforgettable characters. While many of the main characters consistently get the spotlight, there are several supporting characters in each of the series who deserve a little more love from the writers. These characters have shown potential, made lasting impacts on the stories, and have proven to be fan favorites who deserve their moment to shine.
1. Joe Cruz – Chicago Fire
Joe Cruz, portrayed by the talented Joe Minoso, has been a fan favorite on Chicago Fire for years, but there’s still so much more to explore about this firefighter’s character. Cruz has proven time and again that he is a loyal, dedicated, and incredibly skilled member of Firehouse 51. While we’ve seen his personal life evolve, including his marriage to Chloe and the birth of his son, his professional journey feels like it’s often overshadowed by the drama surrounding other characters. Joe deserves more attention when it comes to his role within the firehouse and the complexities of his relationship with his team. A deeper exploration of his motivations and struggles could add so much depth to the show.
2. Maggie Lockwood – Chicago Med
Maggie Lockwood, played by the incredible Marlyne Barrett, has become an integral part of Chicago Med. As the head nurse, Maggie is always the voice of reason, offering a calm and nurturing presence to both patients and staff. However, despite her importance within the hospital, Maggie’s backstory and personal life often take a backseat to other characters. Her battle with cancer and her personal struggles have been huge moments in her arc, but there’s still so much more of Maggie’s character to uncover. She deserves more storylines that focus on her growth as both a professional and a woman, as well as a deeper dive into her relationships outside of her work.
3. Trudy Platt – Chicago PD
Trudy Platt, played by the amazing Amy Morton, is a standout character on Chicago PD. While she has been a supporting character within the Intelligence Unit, her role as a desk sergeant deserves more attention. Platt has a dry wit, no-nonsense attitude, and fierce loyalty to her colleagues, which makes her a fan favorite. Yet, she often gets sidelined in favor of the main detectives. Platt’s potential as a character is immense—she has so much untapped depth that could add a unique dynamic to the series. A deeper exploration of her personal life, her past, and her ambitions within the force could give her the attention she truly deserves.
4. Sylvie Brett – Chicago Fire
While Sylvie Brett, played by Kara Killmer, has had her moments in the spotlight, her character still hasn’t been fully explored in comparison to her peers on Chicago Fire. Brett has evolved from being the newest paramedic at Firehouse 51 to becoming an integral part of the team. Despite her importance, her character often takes a backseat to others, especially in the more recent seasons. The writers have touched on her personal life, particularly her relationship with Matthew Casey, but there is so much more to Brett’s story. It would be refreshing to see more of her individual growth and her journey within the department, exploring her personal ambitions and challenges beyond her relationships.
5. Dr. Ethan Choi – Chicago Med
Dr. Ethan Choi, played by Brian Tee, is one of Chicago Med’s most dedicated and morally driven characters. As an ER doctor and former military officer, Ethan’s character has shown tremendous potential, but much of his storylines revolve around his romantic relationships or struggles in his professional life. While these moments are important, it would be great to see more focus on his growth as a doctor and his experiences as a leader in the emergency room. Ethan’s character arc could benefit from more exploration of his background in the military and how that impacts his decision-making in the hospital. His unique perspective and approach to medicine could provide fascinating storylines.
6. Kevin Atwater – Chicago PD
Kevin Atwater, portrayed by LaRoyce Hawkins, is a loyal and hard-working cop on Chicago PD whose personal life and professional challenges often remain in the background. While Atwater is integral to the Intelligence Unit, his storylines often feel underdeveloped in comparison to some of the other characters. His journey as an African American officer in a predominantly white department is one that could be explored in much greater depth. Atwater has so much untapped potential, and it would be amazing to see the writers give him more prominent storylines that showcase his personal and professional growth. Fans would love to see more of Atwater’s struggles, triumphs, and relationships as they evolve over time.
In Conclusion:
While the main characters in Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago PD will always remain central to the stories, there is a wealth of supporting characters who deserve more attention and development from the writers. Joe Cruz, Maggie Lockwood, Trudy Platt, Sylvie Brett, Dr. Ethan Choi, and Kevin Atwater have all shown immense potential, and deeper exploration of their backgrounds, personal lives, and struggles would make these shows even richer. As fans continue to watch the Chicago franchise unfold, it’s clear that these characters could offer even more depth, drama, and heart if given the love and attention they truly deserve.
