Marina Squerciati (Kim Burgess on Chicago P.D.) - One Chicago Podcast

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Brian Lucci (1:01)

Hey, I'm Brian Lucci, and this is the official one Chicago Podcast.

Marina Squarciati (1:13)

Action.

Brian Lucci (1:17)

We had an incredible season over here on Chicago pd and I can't believe how fast the final stretch of episodes came up. Damn, this season flew by faster than a New Year's diet. I'm always thinking about what makes PD such a special place to work. And there's one person who really stands out to me. An og. Been there since day one. One of the best of the best, Marina Squarciati, AKA my detective, Kim Burgess. So I sat her down to learn more about the incredible way she approaches her craft, how she shows up as a leader on set, and how Chicago PD has changed her life for the better.

Marina Squarciati (2:02)

I was at my day job as a paralegal and I got a call from my agent being like, I think your life's about to change. And I was like in the middle of like, filing, and I was like, do I leave right now? And I'd just like burn into the ground and be like, I'm out. Maybe like two days later, I went to Chicago to train to be a cop.

Brian Lucci (2:18)

So let's get into it with the one, the only Marina Squarciati, better known as Detective Kim Burgess. That's coming up next. After a quick break. Don't go anywhere.

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Summary

One Chicago Podcast
Episode: Marina Squerciati (Kim Burgess on Chicago P.D.)
Host: Brian Luce
Date: April 9, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode of the One Chicago Podcast, host and former Chicago cop-turned-producer Brian Luce takes listeners behind the scenes with Marina Squerciati, who has played Detective Kim Burgess on Chicago P.D. since the show's inception. The conversation explores Marina’s journey from paralegal to TV star, her unique approach to her character and the craft of acting, the camaraderie and challenges on set, and personal reflections on her 13-year run on the series. Fans get a revealing, heartfelt, and often humorous deep dive into the making of a beloved TV detective—and the remarkable woman behind her.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Marina’s Origin Story & The Wolf Universe

Landing the Role of Kim Burgess
- Marina was working as a paralegal when she got the call: “I think your life’s about to change.” (02:02)
- Auditioned with a unique, brash take—using a thick New York accent for a Chicago cop:
  
  “Don’t you talk to me like that!” (06:05)
  - She immediately stood out and landed the role.
- Had previously guest starred on Law and Order: Criminal Intent and SVU, part of the “rite of passage” for NYC actors. (04:51)
Coming Up as an Actor
- Started as a ballet dancer but didn’t feel fulfilled: “I hated ballet… it didn’t feel like enough.” (07:14)
- Shifted to sports, then theater.
- Attended Northwestern for acting, intentionally choosing the Midwest:
  
  “I figured… I want to be an actress, I’ll be working in LA or New York my whole life. I’ll go to Northwestern and get a taste of the Midwest. And I’ve been back here for 13 years.” (07:36–08:03)

Crafting Burgess: From Patrol to Detective

Physical Craft and Preparation
- Her dance training was fundamental: “I think training to be a dancer is one of the greatest things you can do as an actor because you’re really in your body.” (08:10)
- Strong movement skills earned her real-world praise from actual police officers. (08:24)
Partnerships on Set
- Close working and personal relationship with Patrick John Flueger (Ruzek)—they “move in tandem” and understand each other intuitively (08:44):
  
  “It’s disgusting how well we know each other… it means we can dance and clear a room really well together.” (08:44)
Keeping It Fresh
- The challenge after 13 years: “Trying to find something new in every script… in one episode recently, I took some Advil as people were talking in the interrogation room, just to keep things fresh.” (09:16)
- Approach to script work: She maps her emotional and narrative arc “like an XY graph,” always ensuring trajectory. (10:51)
- Respect for writers, but is selective about requesting changes: “It’s my job to figure out how to say it. It’s not my job to figure out how to change it.” (11:36)

Iconic and Defining Moments

Transformative Scenes & Method
- Brian praises her for “melting into the set”—notably a diner scene where she internalized the crime’s trauma (12:15).
- Marina on giving 100%:
  
  “There’s a part of me that wishes I could just be like, ‘What day is it? Give me my lines, let’s go.’ But I work hard to give the best performance every time.” (12:47)
Evolution of Burgess
- Early patrol days were “some of the greatest.”
- Burgess’ arc parallels Marina’s own:
  
  “I was not trying to make it quite yet… I was the odd man out, which is sort of Burgess in the beginning.”
  - Now, both feel “formidable.” (13:34)
Personalizing the Set
- Requested to “Burgess-ize” her desk with pink pens and a small airplane: “I feel like I’m a woman and I’m really powerful and I like pink. Why do I have to be so dour?” (14:33)
Becoming a Detective
- Memorable mentorship:
  
  “You’re a detective now. You don’t run—others run.” (16:05)
  - Joke: “That was a lie. I’m running all the time.” (16:37)

Favorite Episodes & Scenes

Gripping Storylines and Performances
- Burgess going undercover and mentoring a rookie cop was a highlight:
  
  “It was great. I did things I’d never done before—bonding with another woman on the show, went undercover, ate popcorn. I loved it.” (17:18–17:48)
- Episode about being shot: a grueling, continuous one-take scene:
  
  “Afterwards there was this silence and I was like, maybe this will be my last season. And then I heard the Lucci clap, which means you did a good job.” (25:00)
Behind-the-Scenes Camaraderie
- “Women’s club” on set and tequila tastings at Marina’s house (34:05).
- Cast often chips in together to host celebrations for the crew (34:32).

Challenges & Leadership

Staying Real—On Acting & Parenting
- On being a mother, onscreen and off:
  
  “I try not to make every scene with Michaela Hallmark-y and sweet. Sometimes it’s, ‘Please put your dishes away.’” (29:15)
- Only mother with children among all the One Chicago women on any of the shows (28:22).
Advice for New Actors
- Avoid over-memorizing lines in a fixed rhythm; stay open to play and adapt on set:
  
  “Know what you want to say, know the lines, but don’t know exactly how you’re going to say it because we want to play with you.” (30:12)
Leadership and Set Culture
- Acknowledges Jason Beghe (Sergeant Voight) for his dedication, setting the tone:
  
  “To have a number one after 13 years really care about the show... that is a blessing. And that sets the tone for me.” (32:48)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

Breaking Through Vulnerability
- On comedy in a drama:
  
  “The hardest thing on the show is when you get a line that’s humorous… You can’t hit the joke the way you want in a sitcom. You need to sort of glide it in, be real, but not too funny.” (23:32)
Favorite and Most Challenging Scenes
- Burgess shot and left alone: “We did it in one take… it was so embarrassing and exposing, to just do this thing all by yourself.” (25:00)
- Kidnapping and brutality scenes: “I was sticky with blood the entire time. My nails were broken.” (25:51)
- Stunt injuries: “Ouch.” (36:13–36:34)
Bucket List & Dreams
- Wants to do Shakespeare in the Park and more period pieces.
- Dreams of being a “drunk neighbor” in a comedy—just for one day:
  
  “Just let me be funny!” (38:27)

Rapid PD (Lightning Round) (39:33)

Who Would You Bring From Wolf World?
- Stephen Weber, for his intellect and conversation. (39:51–40:48)
Who’s Your Partner in a Breach?
- “Patty [Flueger, Ruzek], every day. We just know each other.” (41:02)
Interrogation Confession Wish
- Jesse Lee Soffer (Halstead): “I’d ask him why he didn’t like me in the beginning.” (41:34)
Vacation Buddy
- Platt (for the trust fund and fun) (41:59)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

“I think your life’s about to change.” — Marina Squerciati (02:02)
“I got to go the other way… Don’t you talk to me like that!” — Marina Squerciati, on her audition (06:05)
“It’s disgusting how well we know each other [with Ruzek].” (08:44)
“Trying to find something new in every script… I work hard to make the whole thing work and not just scene by scene.” (09:16)
“It’s my job to figure out how to say it. It’s not my job to change it.” (11:36)
“Just phone it in after so many [years]? I hope the audience sees, we’re all really working hard.” (12:47)
“I feel like I’m a woman. I’m really powerful. And I like pink.” (14:33)
“You’re a detective now. You don’t run. Others run. That was a lie, I’m running all the time.” (16:05–16:37)
“The hardest thing on the show… is when you get a line that’s humorous… you need to sort of glide it in… and I was up in intelligence, I didn’t know how to hit the joke.” (23:32)
“Afterwards there was this silence and I was like, maybe this will be my last season. And then I heard the Lucci clap, which means you did a good job.” (25:00)
“I try not to make every scene with Michaela Hallmark-y and sweet.” (29:15)
“Know what you want to say, know the lines, but don’t know exactly how you’re going to say it because we want to play with you.” (30:12)
"To have a number one after 13 years really care about the show... that is a blessing" (32:48)
“The way you sound, it’s like you’re talking to Helen Mirren… I’ve done so much!” — Marina on her bucket list (37:46)
“Stop editing yourself!” — Brian, to Marina, on her leadership and contributions (31:00)
“I also just want to be the drunk neighbor on any show… just let me be funny!” (38:27)

Segment Timestamps

02:02 – Marina discusses getting the call that landed her the role
06:05 – The audition anecdote and the “flight attendant” backstory
08:44 – Dynamics with Ruzek/Patty
09:16 – Keeping the performance fresh after 13 years
10:51 – Marina’s “XY graph” method for tracking story and emotion
16:05 – The line “You’re a detective now. You don’t run. Others run.”
17:18–18:34 – Favorite episode: mentoring a rookie cop and undercover work
23:32 – Struggles with comedic beats in a police drama
25:00 – The “one-take” shot after Burgess is wounded
29:15 – On playing a parent
30:12 – Advice for guest actors: Don’t stick to a single delivery
32:48 – Importance of Jason Beghe’s example as #1 on the call sheet
34:05 – Women’s support network and tequila tasting
39:33 – “Rapid PD” lightning round
41:02 – Closest partner on the beat: Patty Flueger (Ruzek)
41:34 – Fun interrogation wish: Jesse Lee Soffer (Halstead)
42:13–43:45 – Closing mutual admiration between Brian and Marina

Tone and Takeaways

The conversation is warm, candid, and playful, full of wit and genuine care—for the work, for colleagues, and for fans. Marina’s passion for craft, humor, and motherhood shines through, as does the close-knit camaraderie of the Chicago P.D. cast and crew. Both the challenges and rewards of sustaining a character for over a decade are reflected with humility and resilience:

“What a career Dick Wolf has given me… being with this person for 13 years, he’s my best friend. I would never have had him in my life if not for this.” (26:27)

Fans and newcomers alike will leave with a deeper appreciation both for Marina Squerciati’s artistry and the ensemble spirit that keeps Chicago P.D. compelling, season after season.