One Chicago Podcast: Amy Morton (Trudy Platt on Chicago P.D.)

Date: January 15, 2026
Host: Brian Lucci
Guest: Amy Morton (Sergeant Trudy Platt)

Overview of the Episode

This episode centers around Amy Morton and her beloved Chicago P.D. character, Sergeant Trudy Platt, coinciding with the airing of a rare, Platt-focused episode ("Heroes," Season 13, Episode 9). Host and former Chicago cop/producer Brian Lucci and Morton have a candid, heartfelt conversation discussing Platt’s evolution, memorable moments, the power and challenges of depicting police suicide, and the importance of authenticity and roots in a long-running character. The episode is rich with behind-the-scenes insights, reflections on the emotional weight of sensitive stories, and the camaraderie that defines the “One Chicago” cast.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Amy Morton’s Origin Story as Trudy Platt

• Landing the Role: Morton recalls auditioning for a different part, taping herself in a rustic Wisconsin cottage ([07:19]), then getting the call she landed Platt.
  • "Had to bring all the lamps into one room so I could be lit... did my audition there and sent it in and got the job. I was shocked." – Amy Morton ([08:13])
• Behind the Casting: Mark Tinker (producer) was instrumental, having seen Morton perform in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and a previous TV role ([08:35]).

Early Days & Show Evolution

• Old School Fun: Reminiscing about Platt’s antagonistic dynamic with Burgess and Atwater when Platt manned the front desk, always imparting a lesson ([09:12]).
  • "I made their lives living hell." – Amy Morton ([09:46])
• Character Shifts: Platt initially provided comic relief; as the show’s tone darkened under new leadership (Eric LaSalle), she became more serious, finding a happy "medium" over time ([13:08]–[14:33]).
  • “So now the pendulum has swung more towards the middle again, where I'm not quite so serious all the time.” – Amy Morton ([13:45])

Navigating Character Consistency & Authenticity

• Maintaining Platt’s Identity: Morton describes balancing sarcasm (“smartassery”) and purpose, resistant to giving in to “mama bear” stereotypes or direction that didn’t ring true ([15:54]).
  • “I’m not a mama bear. I’m not here to coddle them. We all know our characters better than most of the directors.” – Amy Morton ([16:21])
• Leaning on Brian Lucci: Morton credits Lucci for helping ground her performance in policing authenticity, especially procedural details and the emotional composure required under pressure ([17:06]).
  • “You're real good at telling me where I can emotionally connect and where—hey, cry later. You got a job to do.” – Amy Morton ([17:33])

Memorable Scenes & Defining Moments

• Quiet Power: Morton picks a subtle favorite moment with Burgess after Mikayla’s kidnapping, showing tenderness beneath Platt’s exterior ([20:10]).
  • “I just look at her. We look at each other, and I just really quietly grab her hand and say, come on, come on, let's go.” – Amy Morton ([20:23])
• Standout Episodes: Lucci highlights Platt’s emotional resonance—her face and mannerisms—in pivotal scenes, like comforting a colleague’s daughter or dealing with loss ([10:54], [21:53]).
• Platt’s Roots: The episode returns to Platt’s backstory—her time as a beat cop, her shooting (“got shot in the ass”) moving her to the front desk, and the tenacity foundational to her character ([44:03]–[44:20]).

“Heroes”: Tackling Suicide in Policing

• Why the Episode Matters: Both share the real-world emotional impact of portraying suicide within policing, offering a raw look at denial, grief, and survivor’s guilt ([26:26]–[30:05]).
  • “She got this wrong, from the very beginning. She got this wrong, and I don't think that's happened to her, at least for a very long time...” – Amy Morton ([26:30])
  • “Cops are the best liars in the world. And the only better liars are…? Their wives.” – Amy Morton and Brian Lucci ([27:22])
• Production & Emotional Challenges: Shooting out of order made it harder for Morton to maintain the story’s emotional throughline ([30:38]).
• Behind The Scenes: Scenes like Platt insisting on a police escort for a fallen officer, despite suicide, underscore debates within law enforcement on dignity and honor for the deceased ([28:57]–[38:17]).
  • “He will have a police escort. We will have an officer down detail.” – Brian Lucci, recalling Platt’s insistence ([37:44])

Teamwork, Relationships, and Fan Questions

• On-set Partnerships: Morton fondly recalls working with Matt Blum (the officer who died by suicide in “Heroes”) and her long-running connection with Marina (Burgess) ([31:14]–[32:33]).
• Family vs. “Mother Figure”: She pushes back against calling Platt a mother figure, preferring “empathy”—firmness and care shown regardless of gender ([44:49]–[46:22]).
  • “If it was a man doing this job exactly the same way I do, I don't think anybody would say father figure.” – Amy Morton ([45:04])
• Plouch, the Chicago PD/Fire Couple: Morton relishes her on- and off-screen friendship with Christian Stolte (Mouch), joking about a spinoff detective agency ([49:31]).

Rapid Fire (Rapid PD)

• Crossover Guest Dream: "Epatha Merkerson [from Chicago Med]...I've always wanted a juicy, big ass scene with Epatha." ([50:28])
• Top Combat Partners: “Atwater and Burgess...I want Ruzik too.” ([50:55])
• Interrogation Pick: “Mariska Hargitay. Does her character ever have any fun?” ([51:28])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Platt’s Empathy:
  “I think she is not afraid to be empathetic about somebody's situation. It never lasts real long, which I think is important.” – Amy Morton ([13:14], [46:22])

• Navigating Loss:
  “A solution for a policeman is always strapped on his side.” – Key line from “Heroes” ([32:58])

• Industry Reality:
  “In the business, we call it pumpkining...there's no sleep. You're sleeping three, four hours, right?” – Brian Lucci ([25:04])

• Platt’s Toughness:
  “I bark once. And then I bite.” – Amy Morton ([37:06])

• Bridging Comedy and Drama:
  “He can easily go from being, like, being really serious to all of a sudden, he just lightens up, really. So he's bendy that way.” – Amy Morton, about Christian Stolte ([49:41])

• Airing Heavy Truths:
  "The suicide rate of Chicago cops is really high.” – Amy Morton ([30:16])
  “If you or someone you know are in crisis, call or text 988 or text TALK to 741741.” – Brian Lucci ([33:28])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [07:19] Amy’s audition story & landing Platt
• [13:08] Platt’s original role & shift over the years
• [15:54] Character approach, avoiding clichés
• [17:33] Morton on learning policing authenticity from Lucci
• [20:23] Morton’s favorite emotional scene with Burgess
• [26:26] Shooting “Heroes”—Platt’s crisis & self-doubt
• [28:57] Depicting the aftermath and protocol around police suicide
• [31:14] Favorite co-stars, discussing the impact of shooting order
• [37:06] “I bark once and then I bite.”—favorite Platt line
• [44:03] Platt’s roots and evolution
• [45:04] Gender and “mother hen” stereotypes in law enforcement
• [49:31] The "Plouch" dynamic and love for Stolte
• [51:28] Rapid PD: Dream crossovers & team-up picks
• [52:06] Sign-off

Episode Tone & Takeaways

The conversation oscillates between warmth, candor, and deep respect for Chicago’s policing and for the emotional realities that actors tackle on screen. Morton and Lucci have an easy camaraderie, full of in-jokes and hard truths about both police work and television production. Listeners come away with a richer appreciation for the sensitive depiction of issues like police suicide, the fun and heart behind Platt’s acerbic wit, and the nuanced understanding required to embody tough, beloved characters over so many years.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or text TALK to 741741.

Listen to new episodes of the One Chicago Podcast every Thursday.