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Why You Recognize Toya Turner, The New Star of Chicago P.D.
The actress — who plays Officer Kiana Cook — has appeared in the One Chicago universe, not once, but twice before!
The Intelligence Unit is getting another member. In the wake of Detective Hailey Upton's (Tracy Spiridakos) departure, there's a new cop in town: Patrol officer Kiana Cook, played by Toya Turner.
Turner is joining the cast of Chicago P.D. for Season 12 as a series regular, debuting in Episode 2's "Blood Bleeds Blue" on October 2. As the fresh face on the force, Cook loves the excitement of her work and is no stranger to hectic or dangerous situations. Read on to find out more about the new cast member.
RELATED: The Chicago P.D. Cast Didn't Forget Tracy Spiridakos After 1st Episode without Upton
Toya Turner's previous One Chicago roles
Officer Kiana Cook may be new, but Turner's no stranger to the One Chicago family. In 2014, she played Peaches the Prostitute on an episode of Chicago Fire (Season 2, Episode 14, "Tonight's The Night"), and in 2016, she appeared on an episode of Chicago Med (Season 2, Episode 1, "Soul Care") as Jayna Miles. Joining the cast of Chicago P.D. officially completes her journey through the One Chicago trifecta.
A fun fact? Turner is the native of Windy City herself, so something tells us she'll fit right into the team.
Where you've seen Toya Turner before
The Jamaican-American actress is best known for her role on Warrior Nun and her stint on NBC medical drama New Amsterdam, where she played Gabrielle across seven episodes.
Gabrielle was a travel nurse who was unafraid to speak her mind. In her very first episode, she snapped, "Dr. Reynolds, I have worked on four continents in six countries and 27 different cities, and I can say without a doubt that you are the worst patient I've ever encountered." Later, she and Reynolds (Jocko Sims) strike up a romance.
What we know about Chicago P.D. Season 12
Turner's first turn as Cook comes in extremely intense circumstances. She's introduced during "Blood Bleeds Blue," which takes place in the aftermath of the shocking fatal shooting of Detective Emily Martel. The episode is a Ruzek-centered hour.
NBC's synopsis reads, "After tragedy strikes Intelligence, the unit must persevere during an adrenalized manhunt across the city."
Showrunner Gwen Sigan opened up to NBC Insider about what to expect in these early episodes.
RELATED: You'll Definitely Notice Ruzek's New Blonde Hair in the Chicago P.D. Premiere (PICS)
"We’re exploring death for two episodes this season, and it is sort of the catalyst for the theme of this season, which is crisis of self and identity and so much of that, you know, has to do with the fact that we all know it’s gonna end," she said. "For us it was like, 'OK, well then we need to articulate that and show a death that is just so shocking and just reminds each of our characters that it can all be gone tomorrow... I think important to remind the audience and remind ourselves as writers and the cast, and the characters of this show, that they are police officers. And so every single day there is a threat."
Chicago P.D. Season 12 airs ever Wednesday at 10/9c on NBC.
Originally published Aug 1, 2024.
