While Marina Squerciati is best known for her fierce and determined portrayal of Officer Kim Burgess on NBC’s Chicago P.D., off-screen she embraces a very different — and hilarious — role: that of a loving and occasionally exasperated mom. In a recent interview, the actress surprised fans by opening up about a comical moment she shared with her young daughter, offering a rare and charming glimpse into her personal life. The story, which quickly made the rounds online among Chicago P.D. fans, had people laughing out loud — and maybe even shedding a few tears of joy. Known for keeping her family life relatively private, Squerciati’s candid reveal was all the more special. With natural warmth and her signature dry wit, she recounted an everyday parenting moment that somehow managed to feel extraordinary.
“I was getting ready for work one morning,” she began, “and my daughter was in the kitchen with crayons and paper. Out of nowhere, she says, ‘Mommy, I drew you!’” Naturally, Squerciati expected a sweet, perhaps slightly scribbled portrait. What she got instead was something else entirely. “She drew this huge head, tiny legs, and gave me about 15 arms,” she said, laughing. “I looked like a cross between a spider and a balloon. I said, ‘Why do I have so many arms?’ and she said, ‘Because you’re always doing everything at once!’”
Fans couldn’t get enough of the story. Within hours of the interview clip making its way online, social media was flooded with reactions. “Marina is such a gem,” one user posted. “That story about her daughter made me laugh out loud. Kids say the wildest — and most honest — things.” Another fan wrote, “She’s out there solving crimes as Kim Burgess and getting roasted at home by a toddler. I love her even more now!” It’s easy to see why Marina’s story resonated. Her portrayal of Burgess on Chicago P.D. is marked by strength, resilience, and determination. But hearing her talk about life as a mother — the messiness, the unpredictability, and the humor — adds another layer to her persona. It’s a reminder that behind the tough cop exterior is a mom navigating spilled juice, crayon masterpieces, and questions like, “Why don’t you fly to work if you’re a superhero?”
This isn’t the first time Marina has shared snippets of her life as a mom, but it’s definitely one of the most endearing. She’s previously spoken about the challenges of balancing long filming hours with raising a child, especially during intense seasons of Chicago P.D., where the schedule can be grueling. Still, she often describes motherhood as her greatest role — one that constantly surprises and humbles her. “Acting is hard work,” she once said. “But parenting? That’s the real high-stakes drama. There’s no script, and the director is about three feet tall and likes to eat Play-Doh.”
Her down-to-earth sense of humor and unfiltered honesty are part of what fans love most about her. She doesn’t try to paint the picture of a perfect mother. Instead, she embraces the chaos — the meltdowns, the laughs, the early mornings, and the unexpected wisdom that children seem to possess in abundance. This latest story also comes at an emotional time for Chicago P.D. fans, as Season 12 continues to build toward a major finale. With big changes ahead, including Marina’s own rumored departure from the show, fans are feeling nostalgic — and perhaps more connected to the cast than ever before.
So when Squerciati shares these personal stories, it feels like a warm, genuine moment in a world that often feels scripted and staged. It reminds viewers that behind the badges and bullets, there are real lives — and real, hilarious kids — waiting at home. “I don’t know if she’ll grow up to be an artist,” Marina joked, “but if she does, I’ll be her first inspiration. The lady with fifteen arms.” As the clip of her story continues to circulate, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Parents are sharing their own funny kid-drawing stories, others are thanking Marina for being so open, and some are simply expressing their joy at seeing a different side of a beloved actress.
It’s a small story — just a crayon drawing and a mom who laughed at herself. But it’s exactly the kind of moment that sticks with people. Funny, honest, and full of heart, it shows that even the busiest, toughest people still get roasted by their kids — and still hang the picture on the fridge with pride. In the end, Marina Squerciati isn’t just Officer Kim Burgess. She’s a mom, a storyteller, and a reminder that sometimes, the best things in life come in scribbled drawings and little voices saying, “I made this for you.”
