For years, Marina Squerciati brought heart and grit to Officer Kim Burgess on Chicago P.D.. But when Season 11 began without her name in the opening credits, fans were left confused—and angry. Why had one of the show’s strongest leads vanished?
The answer, according to those close to her, was heartbreakingly simple: she was forced to choose between her real life and her TV life.
In early 2024, Squerciati became pregnant with her second child. She reportedly requested filming accommodations—a modified schedule, fewer night shoots, and the ability to work remotely for press. But the production timeline was tight, and deadlines were looming.
“They told her they couldn’t delay shooting,” said one source. “It was either full-time, or not at all.”
Faced with missing her child’s early milestones—or staying on the show—Squerciati walked. The decision shocked even the producers, who had planned a major arc involving Burgess confronting past trauma and facing a betrayal from within Intelligence.
Her departure required a complete script overhaul. In the final draft, Burgess is said to be “on assignment” in Washington D.C.—a vague explanation that left many fans unsatisfied.
Squerciati later posted a cryptic Instagram message: “Sometimes, being a mom means letting go of what you love most to protect what matters more.”
Fans continue to hope for her return. But for now, Burgess is gone—and with her, a piece of Chicago P.D.’s emotional core.
