Chicago P.D.’s Newest Regular Was A New Amsterdam Star First, And I Totally See Why One Chicago Is ‘So Hot’ In Comparison

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As a longtime fan of the gripping and intense world of One Chicago, I must say that the addition of Toya Turner to the cast of Chicago P.D. has been nothing short of exhilarating! Having followed her journey on New Amsterdam, it’s fascinating to see her transition from the medical field to the heart-pounding realm of police procedurals.

In the 2024 fall TV schedule, Chicago P.D. has brought on a fresh face for their Intelligence Unit in Season 12, replacing Tracy Spiridakos’ character Hailey Upton from earlier in the year. For those who have kept up with NBC’s One Chicago series, Toya Turner might be a familiar name as she appeared in the fifth and final season of New Amsterdam playing Gabrielle, the traveling nurse, alongside Jocko Sims. Turner recently shared her thoughts on transitioning from one NBC show to another, and it’s easy to see why her new project seems more exciting compared to the medical drama.

While we eagerly anticipate the return of One Chicago on our screens in 2025 with their winter premieres, memories flooded back about a conversation I had with the actress who once starred in New Amsterdam and is now part of Chicago P.D. Reminiscing about our chat and some delightful behind-the-scenes tales from her new colleagues, I inquired about her transition from a medical drama to a crime series like P.D., and she graciously shared her experiences with me.

In a nutshell, the experience is remarkably distinct. For instance, in my initial stint, I was dressed entirely in polyester and found myself sprinting down staircases, alleyways, and exploring deserted warehouses. This aspect of it is utterly dissimilar, and I’ve faced physical challenges that I’ve never encountered before in any role. Moreover, we frequently shoot on location, whereas during my time on New Amsterdam, we seldom left the hospital set for outdoor scenes. Here, I have the opportunity to explore diverse locations, which sets it apart as well.

In the second episode of Season 12, Officer Kiana Cook, portrayed by Toya Turner, made her first appearance. If you’d like to rewatch it, you can do so with a Peacock subscription. By an uncanny coincidence, she was nearby when Ruzek was pursuing the suspects responsible for shooting and killing Detective Martel. Together they worked, which eventually opened up opportunities for her within the Intelligence Unit.

For Officer Cook, the case was a nerve-wracking and potentially hazardous situation with gunshots echoing. As for Toya Turner, it was more about getting a good workout while donning polyester rather than the breathable scrubs seen on New Amsterdam. After I mused about how warm it must have been during filming for her and Patrick John Flueger in Episode 2, she chuckled and validated my thoughts, sharing that indeed, it was as hot as I had imagined.

Despite the puzzling absence of a breathable material from the designer, it turned out to be exceptionally sweltering that day, especially given it was smack in the heart of Chicago’s summer. I was layered up with long sleeves, and boy, was it hot! [laughs] However, it served its purpose as the heat aided in managing the intensity of the event. All in all, it wasn’t so bad.

After experiencing Chicago’s sweltering summer myself, it didn’t come as a shock to discover that polyester wasn’t the ideal fabric for shooting chase scenes on location in Chicago. It was certainly an uncomfortable episode, given Ruzek’s emotional turmoil following Martel’s death while still pursuing justice (with Burgess absent). As Toya Turner put it, “it all worked out.

In the upcoming fall episode, Turner’s role was intensely demanding as she had to work under constant rain, which was part of the script. This challenging situation not only strengthened the bond between Cook and Torres but also provided an exciting transition for her character from a patrol officer to an Intelligence team member. The actress shared that she found this transformation enjoyable.

Once freed from that polyester garment, I exclaimed something like, “Baby, I’ll take the rain any day! I don’t mind at all. Just let it pour as long as I can ditch this shirt!” [laughs] To be honest, I believe Kiana looks fabulous in blues, but there’s no denying that it’s more challenging and certainly more enjoyable than issuing parking tickets.

Regarding Kiana Cook’s future, it can be assumed that Toya Turner is fully supportive of any choice that spares her from having to wear polyester again, as it was quite warm! In the last two episodes of Chicago P.D.‘s autumn season, her character embarked on her first undercover operation. Despite needing some more practice, she managed fairly well, considering Gloria’s quick thinking and connection to Torres were crucial in unveiling the truth.

Fanatics will need a few more weeks until winter break concludes, yet the teaser for the winter comeback promises a thrilling scene featuring Kiana Cook.

On Wednesday, January 8th, NBC will air an episode of Chicago P.D. at its regular 10 p.m. ET time slot. This installment will continue the storyline where Chief Reid unveils himself as a villain. As usual, the night kicks off with Chicago Med at 8 p.m. ET, followed by Chicago Fire at 9 p.m. ET, and finally, P.D. at 10 p.m. ET. Moreover, the new year promises a three-part crossover event between all three One Chicago shows, which hasn’t been seen since 2019, so don’t miss it!

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2024-12-12 06:38