The police procedural Chicago P.D. has quietly arrived on Netflix, and fans are already calling it one of the greatest cop shows ever made. Created by Dick Wolf, the man behind Law & Order, the series is part of a sprawling franchise set in Chicago, alongside Chicago Fire and Chicago Med.
First airing in 2014, Chicago P.D. is the second entry in Wolf’s Chicago universe, following Chicago Fire (2012) and preceding Chicago Med (2015). The show holds a strong 8.1/10 on IMDb and is due to return for its 14th season later this year.
A gripping police drama
The series centres on the fictional 21st District, which houses both uniformed officers and the department’s elite Intelligence Unit. The synopsis says it “follows the lives of the personnel” as they work to keep Chicago, Illinois safe. The cast is led by Jason Beghe as Sergeant Hank Voight, with Jon Seda, Sophia Bush, Jesse Lee Soffer, Patrick John Flueger and Marina Squerciati among the other stars.
For viewers who enjoy Line of Duty or Blue Lights, this show is being touted as a must-watch, with some comparing it favourably to acclaimed US procedurals such as The Shield and The Wire.
What fans are saying
On IMDb, viewers have been sharing their enthusiasm. One wrote: “Easily the best cop drama I've ever seen. I love this show because it's so smartly written. There are none of those yelling at your TV moments when the cop goes in without backup or lets his guard down at the worst moment or tries to be a hero all by himself. In this show the characters act like a real cop should.”
Another agreed: “Of all the police shows, Chicago PD is the best show I've ever seen. Chicago PD captures your attention from the start and keeps you glued to the show until the end.”
A third echoed: “Excellent!! Best ever crime drama. Writing and acting are exceptional. Thank you NBC. I am totally involved…”
One fan compared it to classic series, commenting: “I put PD in the same category as Streets of San Francisco, Hill Street Blues, The Shield and The Wire to name a few. That is the best TV available.”
Mixed reactions
Not everyone is entirely won over, however. One reviewer dismissed it as “cheap entertainment”, while another complained: “It started off brilliant, but last few years it's gone down hill.”
Jason Beghe’s performance praised
Several viewers singled out Jason Beghe’s portrayal of Hank Voight. One enthused: “The best show on television to me. Jason Beghe who plays Sgt. Hank Voight is like no other. He brings the whole show together.”
Another concurred: “Best show on TV! There are many good cop shows on tv but this one never fails. It has amazing actors and always entertaining plots. Beghe is my favorite!”
Chicago P.D. is available to stream on Netflix now.
