The Intelligence Unit is back for Season 13 of NBC’s hard-hitting procedural, Chicago P.D. Following a tumultuous and politically charged Season 12 that ended with the Intelligence Unit under immense scrutiny, the new season promises a return to form, focusing on the team’s relentless pursuit of justice under the often-unconventional leadership of Sergeant Hank Voight (Jason Beghe).
The great news for loyal viewers is that the core ensemble cast has overwhelmingly returned. Voight, Burgess, Atwater, Torres, and Platt are all back on the case, ready to pick up the pieces following the explosive events of the previous finale.
However, Firehouse 51 isn’t the only place undergoing a shakeup. This season introduces a significant new face to the roster: actress Arienne Mandi as a series regular. Her character, a “fearless outsider” with a military background, arrives precisely when Voight’s rules are being questioned, promising to throw a wrench into the fragile stability of the 21st District.
🛡️ The Core Returns: Stability for the Intelligence Unit
Despite the revolving door of cast members in recent years (most notably the departures of Jesse Lee Soffer as Jay Halstead and Tracy Spiridakos as Hailey Upton), the foundation of Intelligence remains strong heading into Season 13.
The Returning Veterans
Fans will be relieved to see the return of their favorite mainstays, all of whom have deeply personal and professional reckonings ahead:
- Sergeant Hank Voight (Jason Beghe): Voight remains the unwavering anchor of the unit. After the high-stakes political battles of the last season, Voight will be tasked with rebuilding trust within the department and regaining full operational freedom for his team. His dark journey to bring a disbanded team back together will form the central spine of the new season.
- Detective Kim Burgess (Marina Squerciati): After officially becoming a detective and tying the knot with Adam Ruzek in the Season 12 finale, Burgess is navigating the complex balance of newlywed life and the relentless demands of Intelligence. Squerciati has teased that Burgess will be focused on building stronger professional relationships and asserting her authority in the unit.
- Officer Kevin Atwater (LaRoyce Hawkins): Atwater continues to be the moral compass and grounding force for the squad. As the team attempts to rebuild, Atwater’s integrity and loyalty will be tested, especially as he navigates the complex relationships with the new faces and the old.
- Officer Dante Torres (Benjamin Levy Aguilar): Aguilar confirmed his return, teasing an incredibly intense arc for Torres. The officer is set to explore a “darker journey,” struggling with the guilt and loss stemming from the high-stakes violence of the previous season. His emotional depth and unique undercover experience will make him invaluable—and potentially volatile.
- Sergeant Trudy Platt (Amy Morton): Platt is the rock of the 21st District. Her dry wit and authoritative management style are essential, providing the crucial, cynical balance to the heavy emotional weight carried by the Intelligence Unit upstairs.
💔 The Ruzek Question: A Temporary Absence
While the core team is back, Season 13 does feature one planned, temporary disruption that will be felt keenly by fans: Officer Adam Ruzek (Patrick John Flueger).
Flueger is taking a short break from Chicago P.D. for personal reasons, meaning his character, Adam Ruzek, will be written out temporarily for a large portion of the season.
- Ruzek’s Absence: Ruzek’s departure comes right after his long-awaited wedding to Burgess, creating immediate dramatic tension. The show will have to explain his absence, but sources confirm that Flueger is expected to return later in the season.
- A Void to Fill: Ruzek’s fearless, impulsive energy has been a key component of Intelligence. His absence is exactly what necessitates the immediate introduction of a highly capable new member to maintain the unit’s operational effectiveness. This temporary vacuum sets the stage for the new series regular’s arrival.
💥 The Surprise New Face: Arienne Mandi as Eva Imani
Filling the operational gap—and replacing the briefly featured Officer Kiana Cook (Toya Turner), who exited after Season 12—is the highly anticipated addition of Arienne Mandi as a new series regular. Mandi will be playing Officer Eva Imani, a character whose background and personality are set to clash dramatically with Voight’s established command structure.
A “Fearless Outsider” with Military Roots
Mandi’s character description positions her as a dynamic and highly skilled, yet guarded, operative:
- Background: Imani is a former soldier and military contractor who is described as a “fearless and instinctual” outsider who keeps her emotions guarded. Her experience in private military companies means she thrives in dangerous, high-pressure situations—a perfect fit for Voight’s unconventional approach.
- The ATF Connection: Imani is being introduced as a skilled transfer from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Task Force, suggesting she will enter the narrative through a major case involving illegal weaponry or domestic terrorism.
- Voight’s New Challenge: Voight relies on absolute loyalty and trust, often built over years. Imani’s status as a “lone wolf” and a relatively unknown entity will force Voight to choose between her proven combat readiness and his gut instinct about outsiders. Her presence could be the biggest threat to the “us vs. them” mentality that has always defined the Intelligence Unit.
Impact on the Team
The ensemble cast has already commented on Mandi’s dynamic addition:
- Patrick John Flueger (Ruzek) described her as having “a lot of spunk” and an “I-don’t-give-a-damn attitude.”
- Amy Morton (Platt) noted her as “kind of a lone wolf.”
- Jason Beghe (Voight) offered high praise, calling Mandi “Talented. Great to be around. New best friend,” suggesting a surprisingly quick integration into the tight-knit cast, even if her character takes longer to integrate into the team.
🔑 Conclusion: Rebuilding Amidst New Chaos
Chicago P.D. Season 13 is shaping up to be a compelling study in resilience and change. The return of the core cast—Voight, Burgess, Atwater, Torres, and Platt—provides the necessary stability following the major departures of previous seasons and the dramatic, political chaos of the last finale.
However, the addition of Arienne Mandi as Officer Eva Imani ensures the season will not be a quiet one. Her military contractor background and “fearless outsider” ethos are guaranteed to clash with the Intelligence Unit’s established (and often questionable) rules. As Voight struggles to rebuild his team’s reputation, Imani represents a new, powerful wild card—a necessary, but potentially dangerous, addition that could either secure the unit’s future or expose its darkest secrets.
