Fans know her as Officer Kim Burgess — tough, resilient, and fearless on Chicago P.D. But behind the badge and bulletproof vest, Marina Squerciati has a softer, deeply personal side that she rarely shares with the world. That’s why fans were left absolutely smitten when the actress surprised everyone by posting a super rare photo of her infant son on social media, offering a tender peek into her life as a mother. In an industry where celebrities often draw a thick line between their public personas and their private lives, Squerciati’s post was a gentle reminder that even the strongest characters on screen are real people off camera — complete with diaper duty, sleepless nights, and heart-melting cuddles.
Marina Squerciati is notoriously private when it comes to her family. Since giving birth in 2017, she has shared only fleeting glimpses of her son — never revealing his full face and almost never including him in public content. But in a recent Instagram post that quickly went viral among One Chicago fans, the actress uploaded a photo that stopped hearts across the fandom.
The picture shows her cradling her baby boy in her arms, his tiny hand wrapped around her finger. Although his face is turned away from the camera, the intimacy of the moment is undeniable. Squerciati captioned the image with a simple yet touching message:
“My reason. My world. 💙”
Being a lead character on a high-octane drama like Chicago P.D. isn’t exactly a 9-to-5 job. Filming schedules are grueling, often requiring long hours, night shoots, and physically demanding scenes. For Squerciati, managing that on top of motherhood has been a journey of growth, challenge, and unconditional love. In previous interviews, she’s hinted at the struggle of balancing work and motherhood. “There are days when I go from chasing bad guys on set to chasing Cheerios across the kitchen floor,” she joked in a 2022 interview. “But I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Though she rarely speaks in detail about her son — even keeping his name out of the spotlight — Marina has been vocal about the profound impact motherhood has had on her. “He’s taught me how to be present,” she said. “On set, we prepare for scenes. We analyze, we rehearse. But with a child? It’s all about the moment. And that’s been the most beautiful lesson.”
Fans have often praised Marina’s performance in those emotionally intense episodes, noting the authenticity she brings to the role of a mother navigating trauma and fierce protectiveness. “When you see the way Burgess fights for Makayla, you feel like it’s coming from somewhere real,” said one fan on Reddit. “Now knowing that Marina is a mom herself, it just makes sense. You can feel it in every scene.” Squerciati has confirmed that those storylines have resonated deeply with her. “Playing a mother on screen while being one in real life is a unique experience,” she said. “It forces you to draw from your rawest emotions.”
Unlike many Hollywood parents who post daily updates and monetize their family life, Marina Squerciati has taken a different route — and fans respect her for it. She’s kept her son shielded from the chaos of fame, opting instead for rare, meaningful glimpses that highlight moments rather than trends. In a world where privacy is increasingly rare, Squerciati’s decision to keep her family out of the spotlight feels grounded, intentional, and deeply protective. “I want him to grow up knowing he was loved, not liked on Instagram,” she said in a 2021 interview. “That’s what matters.”
With Chicago P.D. recently wrapping up Season 12 with one of the most talked-about finales in the series’ history — including Torres’ long-awaited return and questions around Voight’s fate — fans are already buzzing about what Season 13 will hold for Kim Burgess. But for Marina Squerciati, between crime scenes and emotional arcs, there’s another role that will always come first: mom. And while she may return to set, run into burning buildings, or chase criminals through the streets of Chicago, fans now have a deeper appreciation of the woman who does it all — and then goes home to a snuggly baby in footie pajamas.
