Benjamin Levy Aguilar on the Joy of Reuniting with Arienne Mandi on Chicago P.D.: “It Feels Like Fate”
For Chicago P.D. star Benjamin Levy Aguilar, working on the new season hasn’t just been exciting professionally — it’s also been deeply personal. When Arienne Mandi joined the cast as newcomer Eva Imani in Season 13, it wasn’t just a fresh storyline for fans. For Aguilar, it was the return of an old friend and the beginning of something truly special behind the scenes.
In a recent behind-the-scenes photo shared by NBC’s official One Chicago Instagram, Aguilar and Mandi appear so in sync — and so alike — that fans couldn’t help but comment: “They look like siblings!” Aguilar himself reposted the photo, laughingly admitting, “We look like siblings,” a sweet nod to the bond they share off-camera.
And that bond runs deeper than viewers might expect. Aguilar shared that the two first met back in 2020 at a jiu-jitsu class in Los Angeles — long before either of them ever stepped onto the set of Chicago P.D.. “We were training in L.A. at the time,” Aguilar recalled. “It was a tough year for the world, but in that class, I met someone with the same drive, humor, and energy I had.”
That someone was Arienne Mandi.
“We clicked right away,” he said. “It was one of those rare connections — we just got each other. We started training together, working on self-tapes, and just supporting each other however we could. We became incredibly close.”
When Mandi was cast as Eva Imani and walked onto the Chicago P.D. set, it was like a full-circle moment. “It honestly feels like fate,” Aguilar said with a smile. “You never know how life is going to unfold, but to be here — in this amazing city, on this show I love — working with someone I’ve admired and cared about for years… it’s a gift.”
Fans have already noticed the easy chemistry between Torres and Imani on-screen, and Aguilar confirms it comes naturally. “What you’re seeing on screen is just an extension of a real-life connection. We trust each other, we challenge each other, and we have so much fun.”
Beyond the lights and cameras, Aguilar hopes fans can feel that authenticity. “This show means a lot to me, and having Arienne here just adds to the joy. It’s been one of the most fulfilling parts of this season so far.”
As Chicago P.D. heads into what’s already shaping up to be an unforgettable season, Aguilar is feeling grateful — not just for the role, but for the people it’s brought into his life. “The friendships we make in this industry… they’re the real win. And this one, it feels like it was always meant to be.”
