When Chicago P.D. introduced Officer Dante Torres in Season 10, the show did more than just fill a vacancy in the Intelligence Unit. They brought in a new kind of cop — quiet, brooding, deeply observant, and unlike any character the series had previously explored.
Portrayed by Benjamin Levy Aguilar, Torres didn’t show up to replace anyone. He showed up to redefine what it means to be a part of the Intelligence Unit — especially in the morally complex world that Sergeant Hank Voight commands.
And while fans were initially unsure of what to make of the silent new recruit, it didn’t take long for Torres to prove that beneath that stoic exterior is one of the most layered and emotionally compelling characters Chicago P.D. has introduced in years.
A Mysterious Beginning
Dante Torres was first introduced in the episode titled “New Guard” (Season 9, Episode 18). Right away, viewers were struck by his silence. He didn’t talk much. He didn’t smile. He didn’t try to win anyone over. Instead, he watched, listened, and studied everything around him — including Voight, who immediately recognized something familiar in Torres’s quiet strength and raw edge.
Raised in a rough Chicago neighborhood, Torres had to grow up fast. His backstory is riddled with hardship — from caring for his sick mother to surviving gang-controlled streets. But unlike many others, he didn’t let his past define him. He used it to fuel his mission to serve and protect — his way.
Different from the Rest
What makes Torres so intriguing isn’t just his past — it’s the way he moves through the present. He’s not the cop who kicks down doors or yells across crime scenes. He doesn’t lecture suspects or seek out praise from his team. Instead, he operates with quiet precision. He watches. He waits. And when he speaks, you listen.
This subtle intensity has drawn comparisons to early Halstead, or even Voight himself — but Torres is not a copy of anyone. He’s his own man. One who believes in justice, but also understands the streets in a way few others on the team can.
That authenticity is what makes him so effective. Whether he’s handling gang members or navigating the distrust of the communities he comes from, Torres brings a unique layer of relatability and realism that grounds the show in a new way.
Torres and Voight: A Complicated Mirror
Voight sees potential in Torres — perhaps even a reflection of himself. But it’s not just admiration. It’s caution. Voight knows the cost of walking the line between justice and vengeance, and he sees the same fire in Torres’s eyes.
Their relationship is complex. Voight mentors him, but also watches him closely, knowing that Torres’s trauma could lead him down a darker path. And Torres, for his part, respects Voight but doesn’t blindly follow him. He has his own internal compass — and it doesn’t always point the same way as Voight’s.
This push and pull creates some of the most compelling scenes in recent seasons. When Torres questions a call Voight makes, it’s not disrespect — it’s growth. And Voight, for once, listens. Because he knows Torres isn’t rebelling. He’s evolving.
The Emotional Core: Trauma, Loyalty, and the Streets
One of the most moving aspects of Torres’s character is how closely he walks the line between two worlds: the badge and the block. He still lives in the same neighborhood where gang loyalty and police distrust run deep. He knows these people. He grew up with them. He understands the emotional toll of violence and systemic failure in ways that no academy training could ever teach.
There are moments when Torres hesitates — not because he’s unsure of the law, but because he understands the people. His empathy is rooted in lived experience. He doesn’t see suspects as case numbers. He sees them as human beings, sometimes just one wrong choice away from a life they never wanted. That’s what makes him so compelling: he’s a bridge between two sides that rarely understand each other.
Reception from Fans
While some longtime viewers were skeptical of a new face joining Intelligence after the departure of Jay Halstead, many quickly grew to appreciate the quiet depth that Torres brought to the team. Fan forums and social media are full of praise for Aguilar’s performance — subtle but powerful, emotionally rich, and refreshingly different.
His chemistry with the team, especially with Atwater and Upton, continues to grow. Atwater, in particular, has become something of a guiding older brother figure, helping Torres find his footing without forcing him to change who he is. And fans are eager to learn more — about his past, his values, and how he’ll grow under pressure. In a world as morally muddy as Chicago P.D., Torres’s quiet presence feels like a calm before the storm.
With Season 12 unfolding, it’s clear that Torres isn’t just a supporting player — he’s a key part of the future of Chicago P.D. Fans are already speculating about deeper arcs to come. Will his loyalty to his old neighborhood clash with his duties as a cop? Will he be pushed to cross a line he can’t return from? And what happens when his stoic exterior finally cracks?
Whatever lies ahead, one thing is clear: Dante Torres is not just “the new guy.” He’s the heart of a new generation — a cop who listens more than he talks, feels more than he shows, and fights harder than anyone expects. Dante Torres may have entered Chicago P.D. quietly, but he’s quickly become one of its loudest emotional voices. In a show filled with larger-than-life personalities, he stands out by standing still — by observing, absorbing, and choosing his moments carefully. He doesn’t need to shout to make an impact. He just needs to show up — and be himself. Because in a city where trust is rare and justice is messy, Dante Torres is exactly the kind of cop Chicago P.D. — and its fans — have been waiting for.
