Chicago P.D.’’s Sergeant Hank Voight has consistently upheld a strict policy against workplace romances, but actor Jason Beghe revealed that he is making a notable exception for Kim Burgess and Adam Ruzek.
“Voight is supportive of their relationship, and he genuinely cares for both of them, but it does present potential complications,” Beghe, 65, shared in an exclusive discussion with Us Weekly ahead of the season 13 premiere of Chicago P.D., pointing out his character’s mixed feelings about Burgess (Marina Squerciati) and Ruzek (Patrick Flueger) now that they are married together.
He explained that while Voight has to accept the reality of two team members living together, as their supervisor, he must “manage assignments to minimize any overlap as much as possible.”
The challenge of integrating Burgess and Ruzek’s relationship into case-related tasks this season is not lost on the actor.
“It could result in poor choices and errors, but that’s the reality they’re in,” Beghe joked. “Voight will support them and go to bat for them—he would give everything he has to keep them safe. They’re family now, including their daughter Makayla; she is part of Voight’s family.”
Burgess and Ruzek were engaged three times before finally tying the knot in the season 12 finale last May.
“As I walk down the aisle, I see Voight, and I give him this huge smile, and he just nods at me, and I think, ‘Yep, that’s just classic Voight,’” Squerciati, 41, shared exclusively with Us in May, reminiscing on a heartwarming moment from their wedding.
While Beghe hinted that Burgess and Ruzek’s relationship may influence the dynamic within the Intelligence Team, showrunner Gwen Sigan revealed to Us in May that season 13 promises to be more “wholesome” for the newlyweds.
“With the newfound stability at home, we’re exploring how that affects their work life,” Sigan explained. “We’re excited to delve into their narratives.”
According to her, the writers are enthusiastic about crafting storylines for the married couple, emphasizing that there’s “a large scope for exploration” with their characters.
This upcoming season, beyond focusing on Burgess and Ruzek’s evolving dynamics, will also portray the rebuilding efforts within the Intelligence Unit. In the dramatic season 12 finale, Deputy Chief Charlie Reid (Shawn Hatosy) was tragically killed just as Voight was preparing for an important meeting regarding team misconduct.
In the season 13 premiere that aired on October 1, Voight’s squad remained dismantled, but by the episode’s conclusion, he managed to leverage a little blackmail to reinstate them.
“Voight doesn’t dwell on past mistakes; he lives in the moment. While he has made errors, he deals with them as they come,” Beghe shared with Us last month, discussing his character’s outlook for this season. “Life happens, and sometimes things are positive, and other times they’re not.”
Sigan hinted that the upcoming episodes will clarify that Voight’s efforts to clear his team “aren’t simply a neat resolution; it’s deeper and involves new dynamics for the unit going forward.”
Chicago P.D. airs on NBC on Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET.
