Behind the badge and the blue lights, the stars of Chicago P.D. lead rich personal lives filled with family, laughter, and love. While their on-screen personas often deal with danger, heartbreak, and high-stakes drama, many of the show’s actors are proud parents in real life — and a few of their kids have even followed in their footsteps. Let’s meet the adorable next generation of the Chicago P.D. family.
Jason Beghe (Hank Voight) — A Proud Dad of Two Sons
Jason Beghe, who portrays the tough-as-nails Sergeant Hank Voight, is a father first and foremost. The actor shares two sons, Bix and Bo Beghe, with his ex-wife, Angie Janu. Both of his children have grown up largely outside of the Hollywood spotlight, but Jason has occasionally shared glimpses of fatherhood and how it’s shaped him.
In interviews, he’s admitted that being a dad gives him perspective — even when he’s playing one of television’s most intimidating cops. “Voight’s intensity comes from a place of protection,” Beghe once explained. “And that’s something any parent can relate to.” Though his kids haven’t appeared on the show, Jason says they’ve visited the set and even offered their own (sometimes brutally honest) critiques of their dad’s work.
Jesse Lee Soffer (Jay Halstead) — The Actor Who Started Young
While Jesse Lee Soffer doesn’t have children of his own yet, he was once the kid on set. Long before playing Detective Jay Halstead, Soffer began acting at age six and appeared alongside his real-life stepfather, actor Stan Soffer, in small television roles. His early exposure to show business helped him understand what it means to grow up in front of the camera — something that makes him especially empathetic to young actors today.
Soffer’s early career makes him part of the rare “second-generation Hollywood” circle — someone who grew up around the industry but carved out his own path. That early start helped prepare him for the emotional range required to play Halstead, one of Chicago P.D.’s most layered and beloved characters.
Tracy Spiridakos (Hailey Upton) — A Loving Aunt Figure
Tracy Spiridakos, who plays Detective Hailey Upton, doesn’t have children of her own but is a devoted aunt and family woman. She often shares photos with her nieces and nephews, describing them as “the light of my life.”
Spiridakos’s nurturing energy often translates into her performance as Upton — strong, loyal, and fiercely protective. Off-screen, she’s the kind of person who brings warmth to the cast, which several co-stars have described as their “second family.” Her posts celebrating her loved ones remind fans that the Chicago P.D. set isn’t the only place where she plays the role of protector.
Patrick John Flueger (Adam Ruzek) — A Real-Life Family Man
Patrick John Flueger, the actor behind the charming yet complicated Officer Adam Ruzek, is one of the most private members of the cast — but his family pride shines through whenever he talks about the people closest to him.
Though Flueger doesn’t share much about his personal life publicly, fans were thrilled to learn that he comes from a close-knit Minnesota family and is deeply devoted to his siblings and nieces. “I love seeing the world through their eyes,” he said in a recent interview. That strong sense of family often seeps into his portrayal of Ruzek, especially in storylines involving Kim Burgess (Marina Squerciati) and their shared responsibility as adoptive parents to Makayla.
Marina Squerciati (Kim Burgess) — The On-Set Mom
Marina Squerciati, who brings Detective Kim Burgess to life, is a proud mother both on and off-screen. She welcomed her daughter in 2017 and often jokes that motherhood has made her a better cop — at least when it comes to juggling chaos.
Her real-life experience as a mom added extra depth to Burgess’s storyline when her character became a foster mother to Makayla. Fans quickly noticed how naturally Squerciati embodied those nurturing instincts. “It’s not just acting anymore,” she told TV Insider. “You tap into the same emotions — fear, love, and the need to protect.”
The Family Behind the Force
The Chicago P.D. cast may spend their workdays chasing criminals, but off-screen, they’re just as focused on raising their families, cherishing their loved ones, and occasionally sharing those heartwarming moments with fans.
And for one young actor who once appeared alongside his dad, the family tradition of storytelling continues — proving that behind every badge and bulletproof vest, there’s a parent, a child, and a heart that beats for something far bigger than justice.
