Winter TV Preview 2014: NBC’s Chicago P.D. [VIDEO and PHOTOS] 

Starting tonight, NBC drops another Dick Wolf production on the masses. It’s the Chicago Fire spin-off (also set in the Windy City) that zeroes its focus on a police intelligence unit. It’s called Chicago P.D. and the show tries very hard to be gritty and tough but with some heart. Yet there’s a lot of shadiness and bending of the rules and rolling around in the gray areas going on as well. The Shield and Southland it’s not, however. What I like most about this new series is the cast. That’s the hook for me.

Here’s what you need to know about…

Series Synopsis:

From multiple Emmy Award-winning executive producer Dick Wolf and the team behind the hit series “Chicago Fire,” ‘Chicago P.D.” is a riveting police drama about the men and women of the Chicago Police Department’s elite Intelligence Unit, combatting the city’s most heinous offenses — organized crime, drug trafficking, high-profile murders and beyond.

Hand-picked as the head of the unit is Voight, who has assembled a team of diverse detectives who share his passion, and commitment to keep the city safe.  They include Det. Antonio Dawson (Jon Seda), who is more level-headed and “by the book” than his counterpart; Jay Halstead (Jesse Lee Soffer), a brash young detective who previously saw active military duty in the Middle East;  Halstead’s partner Erin Lindsay (Sophia Bush), a former “bad girl” who turned her life around with Voight’s help; Alvin Olinsky (Elias Koteas), an experienced undercover detective and confidante for Voight;  and Kyle Ruzek (Patrick John Flueger), a quick-witted cadet plucked from the police academy as Olinsky’s partner.

The unit also includes two rising young uniform cops — Kevin Atwater (LaRoyce Hawkins), a charismatic patrolman who has an active social life, and Kim Burgess (Marina Squerciati), a patrol officer who strives to one day become a part of the elite Intelligence Unit. Sheldon Jin (Archie Kao) is the tech geek in charge of surveillance and tech ops.

NBC Synopsis for tonight’s Pilot “Stepping Stone”:

After a slew of brutal slayings, District 21, led by Sergeant Hank Voight (Jason Beghe) go after a Columbian drug cartel cleaning house in Chicago. They discover D’Anthony (guest star Isaac White) who proves to be an asset in the investigation. At District, complicated histories and unit rivalries surface which could end up costing them one of their own. Meanwhile, Rookie Kyle Ruzek (Patrick Flueger) is pulled from the police academy by Olinski (Elias Koteas) to join the team. Jon Seda, Sophia Bush, Jesse Lee Soffer, LaRoyce Hawkins, Marina Squerciati and Archie Kao also star. Melissa Sagemiller, David Eigenberg, Monica Raymond and Robin Weingert guest star.

Deja View — here’s where you’ve seen some of the cast before:

Jason Beghe (Sgt. Hank Voight)

The Character: You Chicago Fire fans should know this character already. In Chicago P.D., Voight is shady with a capital “S.” He’s the leader of this newbie intelligence unit. He’s done jail time so people are wondering how he earned this high-powered appointment. He doesn’t take crap from anyone and he’s going to make sure no one and nothing messes with his unit. And, not surprisingly, he isn’t always going to be a great influence on his team. A lot of drama surrounds his personal and professional lives.
The Actor: Beghe has had recurring roles on Chicago Fire and Californication. And he’s guest starred on a ton of TV shows including NCIS, Castle, Picket Fences and Chicago Hope. But I think I know him best as Matt’s military boyfriend on Melrose Place.

Jon Seda (Det. Antonio Dawson)

The Character: Look for Dawson to experience a pretty major nightmare in the first couple of episodes. He’s married and has a kid. He’s a good guy that might find it difficult to adapt to the shady ways of his new boss.
The Actor: Seda (and his character) recurred on Chicago Fire. He starred in the HBO series Treme which ended its run in 2o13. NBC fans will also recognize him from his stints on Third Watch and Homicide: Life on the Street. His recent guest star appearances include Hawaii Five-0, The Closer and Burn Notice. Plus, he was in the Band of Brothers mini-series sequel, The Pacific.

Sophia Bush (Det. Erin Lindsay)

The Character: She’s tough and no nonsense. I’d like to see her be a bit more badass but I presume that’ll be coming as the series progresses. Erin’s there for Voight and the other guys in the unit. I really enjoyed learning some of her backstory (that involves Voight) and I look forward to finding out more about this character’s history.
The Actress: It’s so crazy that glamour girl Brooke Davis from the WB/CW series One Tree Hill is now playing a cop. I love it actually. It’s great to see her try a procedural drama. Hopefully it’ll last longer than the sitcom she starred in last season on CBS called Partners. Back in 2003, Bush guest starred on three episodes of FX’s Nip/Tuck.

Elias Koteas (Det. Alvin Olinsky)

The Character: Olinsky’s mysterious and eccentric and I love this character so much. He’s one of my favorite parts of this show.
The Actor: He’s doing TV now, but Koteas is more known for his movie career. Some of his big screen credits include Crash, Shutter Island, Gattaca, Living out Loud, The Thin Red Line, Fallen, Zodiac and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

Patrick Flueger (Officer Adam Ruzek)

The Character: Ruzek is brought into this new unit in the first episode. He’s a complete newbie in every sense of the word. They actually recruited him straight out of the academy to join this unit. Only thing with him is that he’s keeping secrets from his fiance. I like the way they deal with this character. And I want to see where his journey takes him.
The Actor: I love Flueger from his days on the late great sci-fi series The 4400 that aired on USA Network from 2004 – 2007. He was awesome on that show so I hope he’ll get to shine like that on Chicago P.D.

Jesse Lee Soffer (Det. Jay Halstead)

The Character: Halstead’s got a bit of the bad boy thing going on. But he also had something tragic happen in his past. You’ll see him deal with it as the series continues. I’m excited to find out more about this character.
The Actor: Soffer is another one of my favorites. I know him best from when he was on the daytime soap As the World Turns. That’s where he played Will Munson. I love that he’s transitioned into the world of primetime. He recently had a series regular role on the FOX drama The Mob Doctor. He’s guest starred on The Mentalist and Rizzoli & Isles. He also had a role in the critically acclaimed HISTORY miniseries Hatfields & McCoys.

TV Goodness Fall Preview Ratings System
Watch Live
Watch Later on DVR
Undecided — Need to Watch Some More
Not Watching at All

Some of the action and drama was intriguing although nothing really original. I think what I stuck around for was seeing some of my favorite actors like Koteas, Bush, Soffer, Seda and Flueger. I especially liked seeing Sophia in this completely new environment. I never thought I would buy her as a cop but I do. Supernatural and Nashville fans will be happy to know Robert Wisdom has a role — at least in the first few episodes. Another character that I liked but didn’t get to know enough yet is Archie Kao‘s Det. Sheldon Jin. Plus, some Chicago Fire vets do make a drive by on their sister series. I think I’m going to give this one a Watch Later on DVR. This is a show I would probably wait until the weekend to watch.

Chicago P.D. gets underway tonight at 10/9c on NBC.

CHICAGO P.D. FIRST LOOK

CAST PHOTOS
Photo Credit for the following images: Paul Drinkwater/NBC

   

“STEPPING STONE” PHOTOS
Photo Credit for Following Images: Matt Dinerstein/NBC