One Chicago Podcast

Episode: Gwen Sigan (Showrunner for Chicago P.D.)
Host: Brian Luce
Date: October 16, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of the official One Chicago Podcast features an in-depth conversation with Gwen Sigan, Showrunner and Executive Producer of Chicago P.D.. Host Brian Luce, a former Chicago cop turned show producer, sits down with Gwen to explore the creative process behind the show, the collaborative machinery of production, key themes for the current season, and memorable moments from the first three episodes. Listeners get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Chicago P.D., with candid stories from the writers' room, production anecdotes, and Gwen’s personal touch as the series’ guiding force.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Gwen Sigan’s Journey to Showrunner

[04:55 - 08:24]

• Background & Career Path:
  • Gwen attended Columbia College in Chicago, graduating via a "Semester in LA" program.
  • She started as a writer’s assistant for Matt Olmsted, then Showrunner for both Chicago P.D. and Chicago Fire.
  • Rose through the ranks to staff writer on Season 4 of P.D., becoming Showrunner by Season 9.
• Showrunner Explained:
  • Gwen describes her role: "You're in charge of keeping the show moving, keeping the train on the wheels... making sure that we have scripts, making sure the scripts are good, keeping the writers room going, and then making sure, you know, through production, making decisions with Chad... and then working with Post to get the cuts out." [08:33]

2. The Creative Process: From Writers’ Room to Screen

[09:30 - 25:15]

• Script Development Pipeline:
  • Begins with a Beat Sheet ("First we do a beat sheet is usually the first thing that's written down." - Gwen [10:07]), moves to Outline, then Script (with many versions), and finally Production.
  • Brian’s role as a technical consultant is critical: real-life policing is woven into storylines to ensure accuracy.
• Preparatory Meetings:
  • Casting: Discusses desired character traits with Jonathan Strauss’ NY team.
  • Locations: Scouting for appropriate Chicago locations based on script needs.
  • Art & Set Dressing: Custom builds and set dressing to suit story and character; references real Chicago lore.
  • Tone Meetings: Gwen explains story arcs, themes, and emotional tone, often taking several hours.
  • Table Reads: Scripts are read aloud; dialogue and pacing are fine-tuned.

3. Collaborating with Technical Consultants

[23:36 - 25:58]

• Brian Luce’s Evolving Role:
  • Beyond technical advising, Brian acts as the 'police soul' of the show, vetting all police procedures, helping with research, facilitating ride-alongs, and ensuring authenticity on set.
  • “You are the cop voice of the show... everyone always says you’re the soul of the show.” (Gwen, [24:10])
  • "If Luch doesn't think this is accurate, we're not gonna do it." (Gwen, [24:10])

4. This Season’s Theme: "Roots"

[19:05, 32:50, 34:54]

• Selecting Themes:
  • Each season starts with an overarching theme ("roots" this year), influencing both character and crime stories.
  • "Obviously, the on the face thing of we're gonna explore each character's roots, where they came from, why they are the way they are." (Gwen, [32:53])
  • Not just about personal roots but "the root cause of crime, what causes violence in a person, the motivations behind crime, how living in a certain area, that alone, what that could do to you..." (Gwen, [32:53])
• Thematic Imagery:
  • Includes motifs of growth, rot, and intertwined roots as both character-driven and visual threads.

5. Season Story Arcs and Character Focus

[22:13 - 34:54]

• Voight’s Journey:
  • Starts the season trying to re-unify the unit, grappling with the aftermath of disciplinary actions and a reset after last season.
  • Forced into routine, confined by a beat cop role before inevitable friction leads him back into action.
• Other Character Highlights:
  • Torres’ Religion & Injury: Exploring new depths for the character.
  • Atwater’s Growth: Wrestling with newfound freedom and self-exploration after a lifetime of responsibility.
  • Burgess & Ruzek in Canaryville: Blending personal, neighborhood, and crime stories.
• Writing Approach:
  • "We try to make it as character heavy as we can. So we'll start there, and then we actually add the crime story onto the character story." (Gwen, [20:23])

6. Memorable Scenes & Behind-the-Scenes Stories

Notable Quotes / Moments:

• Burgess Fight Undercover ([35:01]):

  • "I thought the Burgess fight looked incredible. Marina was so good in that scene." – Gwen [35:03]

• Voight & Amani’s Dynamic ([35:26]):

  • “I loved the Amani and Voight scenes... a few in there that I thought were really great. I liked the scene where they were just... searching the house. They weren't really looking at each other.” – Gwen
  • “There’s a scene where [Amani] runs out the back of the bar and Voight points his gun in her face... her reaction... is more so just annoyance than anything else. There’s no fear.” – Gwen [36:23]

• Torres' Mirror Moment ([37:36]):

  • “There's a scene where Torres looks into the mirror, and I don't even think it looks like Benny. I'm like, who is that? Where he suddenly... he's a different character... so stripped and raw and like, there's so much shame and pain in it.” – Gwen [37:36]

• Canaryville Episode Inspiration ([38:54 - 40:48]):

  • Focused on Mikayla’s reflections, the roots of belonging, and Ruzek’s deep Chicago identity, with thematic symbolism (pipes and roots intertwining in his basement).

7. The “Meanest” Moment in Show History

[42:31]

• Gwen identifies Olinsky’s death as the show’s “meanest” moment:
  • “I think the meanest thing our show's ever done is Olensky... That was maybe the meanest.” – Gwen [42:34]

8. Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Chicago P.D.

[43:22]

• Gwen teases "a couple episodes that will center around the Bell family, and it gets very twisted and fun... I've been hustling."
• Promises continued exploration of roots, both structurally and emotionally.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "You are the cop voice of the show... everyone always says you’re the soul of the show." – Gwen (24:10)
• "The fun part is, having been on this show so long, you would think we run out of story, but we don't." – Gwen (01:07, repeated at 19:05)
• "We try to make it as character heavy as we can. So we'll start there, and then we actually add the crime story onto the character story." – Gwen (20:23)
• "My answer will change based on who I'm currently writing for... Every single one of them is a pleasure to write for." – Gwen (41:42)
• "I loved the Amani and Voight scenes... and I really liked the ending with the two of them, too." – Gwen (35:26)

Real Chicago: Fan & Neighborhood Reflections

[44:46 - 48:36]

• Luce interviews a lifelong Canaryville resident about the show’s authenticity and neighborhood pride:
  • “Yeah, I like Void. Does it feel real? Yeah, it does feel real good. It does feel... feel real.” – Local fan (46:19)
  • Resident describes the neighborhood culture, police lore, and pride: “Blue collar, hard working, good people. Like really good Chicagoans.”

Key Timestamps for Sections

• Gwen’s Journey, Showrunner’s Role – 04:55–08:24
• Script Process & Writers’ Room – 09:30–11:07
• Prep Meetings & Tone – 12:30–18:31
• Theme & Season Building – 19:05–22:13
• Character Arcs & Episode Focus – 22:13–34:54
• Favorite Scenes & Behind-the-Scenes – 35:01–41:42
• Neighborhood Segment – 44:46–48:36

Tone & Style

• The conversation is candid, witty, and relaxed, marked by mutual respect and humor between host and guest.
• The episode echoes Chicago’s grit, humor, and real-life inspiration that powers the One Chicago shows.

Conclusion

This episode provides an illuminating behind-the-scenes glimpse at the creative and logistical engine driving Chicago P.D.. Gwen Sigan’s leadership, her deep character-first approach, and her passion for authentic storytelling shine throughout—as does the earnest commitment of the whole team to bringing Chicago’s police stories to life with heart and honesty.

Listen If You Want to Know...

• How procedural TV is built from ground up, script by script.
• How showrunners manage the creative and logistical chaos.
• How “roots”—personal and criminal—define an entire season.
• Why Chicago P.D.’s authenticity runs deeper than just dialogue.