One of the most powerful aspects of Kim Burgess’s character arc is how she represents the evolution of women in police procedurals — not just as emotional support characters or romantic interests, but as central figures of strength, leadership, and nuance.
Burgess isn’t written to be perfect. She breaks. She bleeds. She cries. But she gets back up — every single time. And in doing so, she reflects a kind of emotional bravery that’s often ignored in stories about law enforcement. Marina Squerciati has said in interviews that playing Burgess means stepping into a role that constantly challenges her — physically, emotionally, and psychologically. Whether she’s undergoing harrowing stunts or delivering raw, tear-streaked monologues about trauma and healing, she brings a level of depth that elevates every episode she’s in.
A Symbol for Survival: Why Fans Relate to Burgess
What makes Burgess resonate so deeply with fans isn’t just her grit — it’s her relatability. Many viewers see themselves in Kim. She’s been underestimated. She’s dealt with loss. She’s questioned her worth. She’s juggled career and motherhood with no roadmap and no guarantee that either would survive. Her trauma is never minimized, but it also never defines her.
Whether it’s coping with PTSD after being kidnapped, struggling with the weight of being a single mother, or re-establishing boundaries in a complicated relationship with Ruzek, Burgess fights internal and external battles every season. She shows up for her daughter. For her team. For the victims she protects. And for herself. That persistence — that refusal to quit — is why fans root for her. Because in a world that often demands women to be one thing at a time, Burgess is everything all at once: soft and strong, broken and brave.
Will She Stay or Go? The Unspoken Tension of Season 12
While Season 12 has shown a steadier, more emotionally grounded Burgess, there’s an unspoken tension hanging in the air: How long can she keep going? Recent interviews with Marina Squerciati have been vague but intriguing. She’s spoken about how “Kim has been through hell” and how playing her can be both “rewarding and draining.” Rumors about possible cast shake-ups have fans worried. Could Season 13 mark the end for Burgess?
From a storytelling perspective, Burgess’s arc still has room to grow. A long-awaited reunion or closure with Ruzek. A promotion. A deeper dive into her relationship with Makayla as she grows older. Or even a storyline where Burgess steps away from the badge — not because she’s weak, but because she finally allows herself to rest. Whatever happens, fans agree on one thing: Burgess deserves peace. She deserves happiness. She deserves a soft ending, after so many hard seasons.
The Future of Burzek: Will They Finally Get It Right?
Burgess and Ruzek’s relationship has been anything but stable — but that’s exactly why fans are so emotionally invested. They’ve been engaged. Broken up. Co-parents. Best friends. There’s love between them that neither time nor trauma has erased. And while they’ve both made mistakes, their growth — individually and as partners — is undeniable. Season 12 has offered glimmers of hope. Quiet moments. Lingering looks. A willingness to try again, slowly and carefully. If the writers choose to give “Burzek” a real second chance, fans are ready. And if they don’t — if they leave things complicated, bittersweet — that will be honest, too.
In many ways, Kim Burgess represents the emotional soul of Chicago P.D.. Where Voight brings the intensity and Upton brings the logic, Burgess brings the humanity. She reminds us of what’s at stake — not just in the cases they solve, but in the personal sacrifices these officers make every day. She is what happens when strength is forged in fire, when courage grows in silence, and when love refuses to die even after heartbreak. Whether or not she remains with the Intelligence Unit beyond Season 12, Kim Burgess has already left her mark — on her team, on her city, and on the hearts of every viewer who’s watched her rise, fall, and rise again.
