Chicago P.D. fans have watched Kim Burgess (played by Marina Squerciati) grow from a rookie officer to one of the series’ most compelling and resilient characters.
Burgess’s promotion to detective marks a major turning point in her character arc. Having been through intense personal challenges—including the traumatic shooting incident and the ups and downs of balancing family and her job—Burgess has proven herself to be tough, capable, and deeply committed to her work. As the first female officer in the Intelligence Unit, her elevation to detective is not only a professional milestone but also a personal victory.
Squerciati shared that Burgess’s promotion will be explored in depth in the upcoming season, and that it will bring new challenges as she adjusts to her new position. “Becoming a detective is a big deal for Kim. She’s worked incredibly hard to get to this point, and now she’s going to face new hurdles, both on the job and in her personal life,” Squerciati explained.
One of the most intriguing questions for Chicago P.D. fans is whether Burgess will step into the role of Voight’s second-in-command. Voight, as the leader of the Intelligence Unit, has always had a tight grip on the team, but he’s also demonstrated a willingness to mentor strong, trusted individuals. Over the years, Burgess has earned Voight’s respect, and she’s often been a moral anchor within the unit. But now that she’s a detective, will she take on a larger, more authoritative role by his side?
Squerciati teased that Burgess’s relationship with Voight will evolve as she navigates her new position. “Kim has always respected Voight, but her promotion is going to challenge their dynamic,” she said. “She’s no longer just the rookie or the officer who follows orders. Now she’s in a position to make more decisions, and that could create tension between them. Voight’s used to being in control, and Kim’s going to have to figure out how to assert herself while still being loyal to him.”
“There’s always been this tension between doing things Voight’s way and doing things the right way,” Squerciati noted. “Burgess has learned a lot from Voight, but now that she’s in a position of greater authority, she’ll have to make her own decisions, even if it means going against him sometimes.” As Burgess navigates her promotion, she will also have to find a way to balance her personal integrity with the demands of the job. Being a detective in the Intelligence Unit means being involved in morally gray situations, and for a character like Burgess, who holds herself to a high moral standard, it’s going to be a tightrope walk.
Squerciati shared that this inner conflict will be central to Burgess’s character moving forward. “She’s going to be in a lot of tough situations where she has to choose between doing the right thing and doing what’s necessary. It’s going to be a real test of her values and her commitment to the job.”
