
After over a decade of gripping storylines, shocking exits, and gritty street-level crime fighting, Chicago P.D. is showing no signs of slowing down. In fact, with Season 13 on the horizon, NBC’s long-running police procedural just received a major jolt of adrenaline: The Night Agent star Arienne Mandi is officially joining the cast as a series regular—and fans are already buzzing.
Mandi, known for her fierce and nuanced performance in The L Word: Generation Q and her breakout role in The Night Agent, will step into the Chicago streets as a fearless new officer whose arrival is expected to shake up the Intelligence Unit. Though exact details about her character are still under wraps, early reports describe her as “sharp, unflinching, and willing to challenge even Voight himself.”
This casting is particularly timely following the departure of Kiana Madeira, who played Officer Martina Cook and brought a fresh perspective to Season 12 before exiting the series. With Mandi’s addition, Chicago P.D. is clearly investing in strong, dynamic female characters who can hold their own in one of TV’s toughest precincts.
Fans of the show know that character introductions on Chicago P.D. are never just filler—they’re always tightly woven into major arcs. It’s expected that Mandi’s character will not only take on challenging cases but may also clash with some long-standing officers, potentially creating tension that fans will relish. Could she be the next Upton-type figure or a wildcard entirely?
Season 13 is shaping up to be a defining chapter for the show. With Tracy Spiridakos’ exit as Hailey Upton and the evolving roles of Burgess and Ruzek following their emotional arcs, the Intelligence Unit is overdue for a bold new energy. Arienne Mandi’s casting doesn’t just fill a vacancy—it signals a creative pivot that could rejuvenate the procedural and introduce compelling moral dilemmas that push the team to the brink.
Showrunner Gwen Sigan has hinted in interviews that the new season will explore themes of institutional trust, mental resilience, and shifting loyalties within the unit. A new voice—especially one with a rebellious edge—could be exactly what Voight’s squad needs as it redefines itself post-Upton.