One Chicago Podcast – Benjamin Levy Aguilar (Dante Torres on Chicago P.D.)

Host: Brian Lucci
Guest: Benjamin Levy Aguilar
Date: November 6, 2025

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode of the One Chicago Podcast shines a spotlight on Benjamin Levy Aguilar, who plays Officer Dante Torres on Chicago P.D. Host Brian Lucci—a former cop and current producer—leads an in-depth, heartfelt conversation exploring Benjamin’s unique journey from Guatemala to Hollywood, his connection to his character, the real-life experiences he brings to the role, and revealing insights into the craft and culture behind the scenes of Chicago P.D.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Benjamin’s Path to Acting and Hollywood

• Shared Upbringing with His Character (03:55, 07:36)
  • Benjamin opens up about growing up with a single mother in Guatemala, mirroring Torres' own backstory.
    • “I grew up with a single mother just like Torres, and I think there's like a bond where you're... more than just the son. You take on different roles.” (01:09, 15:38)
• "Invisible Hollywood": Arrival in LA (10:06)
  • He describes the surreal transition from Guatemala to LA with just two garbage bags, finding a hostel, and immediate immersion into acting classes.
  • “It was January 1st, a red eye to Los Angeles.”
• Serendipity & Support
  • Benjamin’s mother’s pivotal encouragement highlighted as a turning point:
    • “She was like, you like movies? ...So why don't you just do that?...She literally told me. She was like, you go take a one way ticket. You don't come back until you make it, and we'll just put it on the credit card.” (08:39)

2. Crafting Officer Dante Torres: Authenticity and Growth

• Practical Training and ‘Unlearning’ for TV (04:15-05:27)
  • With a background in Israeli martial arts, Krav Maga, evasive driving, and tactical shooting, Benjamin had to “untrain” for TV realism.
    • "Every time we were filming, Mr. Torres would pull his gun quickly, rack his slide... I'd be like, Benny, we don't do that." – Brian Lucci (05:01)
• Experiencing Being an Extra to Leading Roles (05:40-07:11)
  • Benjamin shares his leap from being an overlooked extra to being the lead in a show—his gratitude and emotion are palpable:
    • “I was the lead of the show and there was, like, 500 extras cheering for me...It was surreal.” (06:26)
• The Unexpected Route onto Chicago P.D. (12:31)
  • Started as a “bad guy,” then was remembered by Jason Beghe and the producers for the key role of Torres.
    • “He said, ‘What's your name, kid?’ And I told him, and he said, ‘I'm going to remember you.’” (14:11)
    • “If you shave your head and you're in Chicago by Wednesday, the role is yours.” (14:50)

3. Personal Experience Fueling Performance

• Channeling Real-Life Trauma (16:34-18:36)
  • Benjamin candidly discusses how personal trauma and emotional triggers inform his acting, but also his process for self-care and separating from the darkness:
    • “At the beginning, I would feel like it would cost me to go to those places...Make sure you go back to Benjamin. When you go back home, don't bring the character home with you.” (16:34)
    • Meditation, music, shows like “Friends”—tools to “wash off the character.”
• Collaboration on Set (20:33-21:24)
  • The authenticity of the show arises from passionate debate and collective striving for truth:
    • “That's the beauty. It's different points of views, strong points of views...with no ego or as little as possible.” (20:33)

4. Behind the Badge: Transforming into Torres

• Krav Maga’s Lasting Impact (24:01-25:44)
  • His martial arts training impacted every aspect of Torres—body language, street smarts, and the ability to “move well.”
    • “It became how I walk, it became how I talk, it became everything I do as Torres…” (24:01)
• Learning Policing from the Pros (26:27)
  • Benjamin credits Brian for molding him into a believable cop:
    • “The cop part, I had none of that. That I learned from you.” (26:27)

5. Emotional Depth and Character Torture

• Enjoying Dramatic Storylines (28:30)
  • Benjamin relishes Torres' “dramatic torture” and the addictive intensity of emotionally charged performances:
    • “I love feeling so intensely. I've always wanted to go deeper in life...I feel so alive, man.” (28:32)
• Favorite Scenes and Relationships (30:26, 30:39)
  • He gets joy in both action sequences and emotionally complex love stories, finding inspiration from scene partners:
    • “...those moments with that. Those storylines have actually been really fun because they go so deep...two amazing actresses that I’ve been so fortunate to work with.” (30:39)

6. On-Set Culture, Mentorship & Process

• Mentorship and Camaraderie (32:20-34:28)
  • Benjamin highlights Jason Beghe’s generosity and intensity, how detailed conversations with cast and crew fuel deeper performances:
    • “Jason has been such a generous person with me and such an incredible...mentor. He's so real. He's so present. It's intimidating in a good way.” (32:20)
• Acting and Self-Reflection
  • Benjamin describes the value of watching his own work objectively—patting himself on the back and improving from scene to scene:
    • “It’s very important to be able to see yourself objectively...then you can see outside of your own self and your own ego and tweak things…” (34:28)

7. Behind-the-Scenes Magic and Fun

• Tattoos & Weather (36:02-36:29)
  • Applying Torres’ signature tattoos is a lengthy process—winter shooting means fewer shirtless scenes, so less makeup time.
• Rain Episode and Production Feats (35:19-35:59)
  • The logistics and artistry behind filming a full rain episode; the rain itself became another “character.”
    • “The Rain, in that episode is a character.” (35:59)

8. Lightning Round: Rapid PD Questions (37:08)

Fun, revealing answers from Benjamin:

• Which One Chicago/Wolf Entertainment character to bring to PD?
  • Olensky (37:25)
• Who to breach a door with?
  • Jesse/Officer Halstead (37:59)
• Vacation buddy?
  • Atwater (38:21)
• Who to interrogate?
  • Voight – “I would like to maybe ask him what he's afraid of.” (38:53)
• Competition for Sexiest Cop?
  • “I think Laroi should watch out for this season. I'm gonna bring some fire.” (39:24)

9. Showrunner Perspective: Gwen Segan (40:13)

• Favorite Scene
  • “There’s a scene where Benny looks into the mirror... It's just so stripped and raw and, like, there’s so much shame and pain in it…that’s probably the one that will stick with me.” (40:13)
• Torres’ “North Star” and Emotional Arc
  • “When that is shaken, he just…had no North Star anymore...the man's lost and he’s in so much pain.” (41:12)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On vulnerability and acting:
  • “I saw someone like, really place his heart on the table. It was just so raw. And I was like, I saw something different there. It wasn’t just an accent...it was just vulnerability.” – Benjamin (01:39, 12:12)
• On using pain for performance:
  • “If I can understand my own pain and transcend my own pain or at least be able to look at it in the eye, then Hollywood disappears.” – Benjamin (12:29)
• On transformation in a fight scene:
  • “You were this quiet, beautiful soul. And then out of nowhere, this demon evolved.” – Brian (26:13)
• On losing oneself in acting:
  • “There’s no difference between Torres and Benjamin, because for me, both of them don’t exist because they’re both characters...I’m being a character because it is.” – Benjamin (17:27)
• On working with Jason Beghe (Voight):
  • “He's just so present that it really, like, I love that energy. Even when it’s a nervousness, it really makes me go even deeper.” – Benjamin (32:46)
• On Chicago, the city as a character:
  • “Just like Chicago is a character on the show. Yeah, the city of Chicago is a character.” – Benjamin (35:52)
• On addiction to intense acting:
  • “That's what I'm addicted to...I've realized that I want to do this for the rest of my life.” – Benjamin (29:47)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Segment | |----------|-------------| | 03:55–07:36 | Benjamin’s background in Guatemala, moving to LA, support from his mother | | 10:06–12:29 | Early Hollywood struggles, hostel life, finding acting community | | 12:31–14:11 | First roles on Chicago P.D., memorable introduction to Jason Beghe | | 16:34–18:36 | Handling trauma, self-care, philosophy on acting and healing | | 24:01–25:44 | Krav Maga’s impact on Torres and Benjamin personally | | 28:30–29:47 | Embracing emotional depth, the “high” of playing tortured roles | | 30:26–30:59 | Favorite scenes, working with Yara and Mia, love interests | | 32:20–34:28 | Mentorship from Jason Beghe, process, and self-reflection | | 35:19–36:29 | The rain episode, tattoo application, BTS magic | | 37:08–39:24 | Lightning round: cast hypotheticals and fun answers | | 40:13–41:38 | Gwen Segan on writing for Torres and Benny’s best scenes |

Summary

This podcast episode offers a moving and insightful look at the real person behind Chicago P.D.'s Dante Torres. Benjamin Levy Aguilar’s story is defined by resilience, passion, and sincerity—qualities that echo in his nuanced portrayal of Torres. From his raw and vulnerable insights into trauma and acting, to his gratitude for mentors and collaborators, to his unfiltered joy for the craft and the set, listeners get a full-spectrum view of an artist deeply committed to truth, collaboration, and personal growth. The supporting voices—from Brian Lucci’s playful mentorship to Gwen Segan’s creative perspective—round out a compelling portrait of how heart and hustle create television resonance beyond the screen.