As the crisp November air sweeps through Chicago and the final leaves fall from the trees, actress Amy Morton, known to millions for her commanding presence as Sergeant Trudy Platt on Chicago P.D., steps away from the bustle of television sets and long filming days to embrace something far more intimate: the warmth of family during Thanksgiving.
For Morton, Thanksgiving has always been a gentle pause in a busy world—an opportunity to return to the simple, grounding joys that matter most. Despite a career spanning decades in theater, film, and television, she has consistently held one truth close to her heart: family remains the foundation of everything good.
This year, Morton reflects on how grateful she feels to spend the holiday with her husband, Rob Milburn, and their extended circle of loved ones. While the actress keeps her private life intentionally quiet, she has often spoken about the deep partnership and understanding she shares with Rob—an anchor amid the demands and pressures of the entertainment industry. Thanksgiving, she says, is when the chaos fades and the beauty of everyday life becomes clearer.
“I think the holiday season has a special way of pulling us back to what’s essential,” Morton shares. “There’s something about sitting around a table, sharing food, laughter, stories, and even quiet moments… it reminds us that love and connection are what sustain us.”
In their home, Thanksgiving is never about extravagance. Instead, it’s rooted in sincerity. Morton loves the traditions: the aroma of roasted vegetables filling the house, music playing softly in the background, and the sense of calm that comes from being surrounded by familiar voices. She describes it as a kind of “reset”—a moment to breathe deeply, reflect, and appreciate the resilience and kindness that helped carry everyone through the year.
But beyond personal gratitude, Morton feels an even stronger impulse this season: to extend warmth to others. With the world facing uncertainty, tension, and constant change, she believes that small gestures of compassion can hold great power.
“Peace feels especially precious right now,” she says thoughtfully. “And I think Thanksgiving gives us the chance to not only be thankful for what we have, but to send out a little gentleness into the world. We all need that.”
As she speaks, there is the unmistakable steadiness that fans of her television character know well—yet here, it comes not from a police badge, but from a quiet, genuine heart. Morton hopes that no matter where people find themselves this year—surrounded by relatives, sharing a meal with friends, or simply spending the day in reflective solitude—they can feel a sense of hope and belonging.
“To everyone out there,” she adds with a smile, “I want to wish you a peaceful, safe, and joyful Thanksgiving. May you find comfort in the people you love, strength in the challenges you’ve overcome, and gratitude in the small miracles that often go unnoticed.”
This holiday, Amy Morton reminds us that gratitude is not only an emotion; it is a practice—one that binds people, softens hard days, and brings light to difficult times.
And as Chicago’s skyline glows against the early winter dusk, the sentiment feels especially timely:
Thanksgiving is not just a celebration—it’s a chance to reconnect, to heal, and to send a little kindness out into the world.
