As the iconic bell of the 21st District rings in its 13th season, Dick Wolf’s gritty flagship procedural, Chicago P.D., is preparing for its customary cast shakeup. The Intelligence Unit, constantly navigating the morally grey landscape of Chicago crime under Sergeant Hank Voight (Jason Beghe), will welcome a formidable new face while bidding a measured farewell to one of its newest series regulars. This reset promises to inject fresh energy and conflict into the dynamics of the elite squad, ensuring the high stakes and emotional intensity that fans have come to expect remain central to the narrative.
The most notable departure heading into Season 13 is that of Toya Turner, who played Officer Kiana Cook. Turner, who only joined the Intelligence Unit as a series regular in Season 12, will not be returning to the show. Her character, a fearless officer who brought a nuanced perspective to the team, seemed to have more story to tell within the complex web of Chicago’s policing. This exit follows a recurring trend on the series where new additions to the Intelligence Unit are often short-lived, reflecting the high-stakes, high-turnover nature of the job. Her absence is expected to be addressed early in the season, likely through an off-screen explanation that allows the remaining team members to quickly adjust and focus on the immediate cases at hand. Fans should also note that Shawn Hatosy, who played the major recurring antagonist Deputy Chief Charlie Reid, is confirmed as not returning after his character’s death in the Season 12 finale.
Despite the departure, the foundation of the Intelligence Unit remains firmly anchored by six returning fan-favorites, ensuring the fundamental chemistry and established relationships that have defined Chicago P.D. for over a decade will continue to drive the action. Jason Beghe returns as the moral (or immoral) compass, Sergeant Hank Voight, who will be navigating the aftermath of the season finale and leading the new psychological battle against the incoming Big Bad. Marina Squerciati and Patrick John Flueger are both back as Officer Kim Burgess and Officer Adam Ruzek, respectively, promising a continuation of their deep character arcs and the evolving complexities of the “Burzek” dynamic as they balance career and family.
Adding to the returning veterans are LaRoyce Hawkins (Officer Kevin Atwater), who remains the crucial moral center of the unit, balancing the need for justice with the commitment to ethical policing; Benjamin Levy Aguilar (Officer Dante Torres), who will further explore his integration into the team and grapple with his personal demons and past associations; and Amy Morton (Sergeant Trudy Platt), the beloved, no-nonsense backbone of the precinct, providing essential support and grounded, veteran advice from the desk. The stability provided by this experienced sextet is crucial as the unit faces the upcoming turbulent season.
Filling the vacancy left in the Intelligence Unit is the talented Arienne Mandi, who joins as a new series regular. Mandi, best known for her roles in shows like The L Word: Generation Q and The Night Agent, will play Officer Eva Imani (or Officer Naomi Kerr in some early reports). Her character is described as a fearless and instinctual former soldier and military contractor who thrives in high-stress, dangerous situations. Imani is characterized as a “lone wolf” and a “badass,” suggesting she will not hesitate to challenge the established, often rule-bending, methods of the Intelligence Unit. Her military/contractor background will offer a distinct set of skills—expertise in security, tactical operations, or interrogation—that will immediately make her an invaluable, though potentially volatile, asset to Voight’s team.
The arrival of a “lone wolf” with such a specialized background is a strategic move by the showrunners, promising to challenge the Intelligence Unit’s long-established hierarchy and family dynamic. Officer Imani’s character is designed to create immediate friction; her military approach is bound to clash with the police structure, particularly with Voight, who appreciates results but demands unquestioning loyalty. It will be compelling to watch how she interacts with the team’s core members and how her presence influences their collective and individual decisions in the field. Furthermore, her history as a military contractor opens the door to completely new kinds of cases and complex moral dilemmas related to her past service in high-conflict zones.
Ultimately, the Season 13 casting decisions reflect the show’s ongoing commitment to balancing stability with necessary evolution. The foundation of Chicago P.D. remains strong with its returning core, providing the emotional depth that grounds the procedural action. However, the introduction of Arienne Mandi as Officer Eva Imani guarantees that the Intelligence Unit will face its new challenges with a significantly altered, and potentially explosive, dynamic. The new season is set to deliver another intense, character-driven chapter, testing the limits of loyalty, ethics, and justice in the heart of Chicago.
