EXCLUSIVE: Jason Beghe and Jon Seda Talk ‘Chicago P.D.’

Two of the legendary stars of the hit NBC cop drama share their takes on playing cops in Chicago.

They might not be real members of the Chicago P.D., but they certainly live and breathe the roles. From their altogether rugged and tough demeanor to their rough and strong voices, they definitely fit the part. However, once they get talking, they are incredibly nice to speak with. Jon Seda even had a smile on his face for most of the interview. From the moment he sat down, he seemed to be drawing from a well of joy somewhere deep below. Jason Beghe on the other hand, while delightful, was incredibly insightful, giving the vibe of an ex cop who is now a professor.

We got a chance to discuss the show and the city of Chicago with them. We got to learn from Jason what makes playing a cop in Chicago indelibly unique to the city and what it takes to play one. Jon gave his thoughts on why he thinks cop procedurals have become a staple of television as we know it. The most interesting part was how they “recharge” or stay energized throughout the day, especially after long tiring hours stretching past 14 hours. They are both incredibly intelligent individuals who are in tuned with the city of Chicago and the show. Check out our interviews with them below.

Jason Beghe and Jon Seda

When you think about your character’s progress, what has been most rewarding, as far as his journey so far? Has there been a particular plot or arc that you enjoyed doing over the past five seasons?

Jason: I really don’t haven an answer for that! I’m sorry! Voight is so in this moment so he doesn’t really think in terms of past and future. He’s very present. That requires some kind of reflection and he doesn’t have a lot of regrets cause he’s not in the past, he doesn’t have a lot of anxiety cause he’s not in the future. I guess that’s why I shouldn’t be able to answer that. I took on his viewpoint, he’d be here right now just listening and answering. That’s how he approaches things.

How much of your own personality is embedded in Voight?

Jason: All of it. It all comes through me, but that’s what’s kind of cool about acting. You learn things about yourself and other people. They have to come from, it’s gotta come from me, I don’t know where it’d come from.

What’s one unique thing about playing a cop in Chicago versus any other city?

Jason: Uniquely a Chicago cop? One of the interesting things and we’re really kind of addressing it is that there’s a lot of stuff about police abuse, over stepping their power limits, taking advantage, all these kinds of things, and no city more than Chicago is under scrutiny. As reform is being introduced, it’s interesting because there are people out there who do bad things. One could argue Voight, does bad things, because he certainly breaks the rules. What’s interesting is that it’s not so that he can sock away some money so he can get a boat, he’s trying to do the right thing. I don’t ever want to give Jason’s opinion about that. What I want to do is to never have just a bad guy and a good guy. It’s just guys, just like life, and if we could understand why somebody does something, whether you agree with it or not, then you become a little bit closer to love and understanding and maybe some peace. That’s how I’m hoping the show could be used for. You don’t have to like somebody or agree with somebody, but if you can understand them, you will love them.

What was one of your favorite moment from filming last season?

Jason: There’s so many. It’s like we have a nice, wonderful crew, a great cast, then there’s sometimes a scene with him (Jon Seda). Like there was a scene with him (Jon Seda), and it was as much fun as I could have. I tell you what, we had a long, very hard day, and when we got to this scene, I mean I could barely walk or talk I was so tired, and it was a Friday night I think also, and we only had a certain amount of time and to do a scene with Jon, who’s my favorite actor to work with, not just on this show, but really. I remember after we talked on the phone or texted and it was like I was ready for another hundred thousand miles. So, it’s, when you can just listen and answer and just be there in the moment and not be interesting but interested and who cares, I’m tired, I’m not, I’m Voight with Antonio in this moment and to kind of discover what’s happening because every take is different because he does this and I go like this and it’s fun and we paint a picture. So when you’re in that moment, there’s no time. That’s the great thing. People like to do drugs or get drunk or whatever, but there’s no better escape than being lost in now and not knowing what’s going to happen.

Are you surprised by what you see on film sometimes?

Jason: I’m surprised, yea! I always think of myself as 27 then I see and I’m like what the f- who the hell is that old man! Oh my god, get him a walker.

Why do you think cop shows make such good TV fodder? People love cop shows.

Jon: I think it kind of goes back to that whole thing when you’re kids and you’re cowboys and Indians and you think like law and sheriff. I think it’s so ingrained in our minds, and not in a bad way. It’s just part of our growing up and there’s that sense of oh, there’s law, and that’s good and there’s criminals and that’s bad, it seems like it’s so cut and dry, but that’s what I love about the show, especially this year, because we’re showing it’s not that cut and dry and what’s going in society right now, you don’t always get to see the different perspectives being in the media, in the news. In here, the police aren’t just one dimensional. Here’s a police officer and that’s who it is, that’s a bad guy, that’s who that is. How do they get to who they are? There are so many different ways so it’s not so cut and dry as good and bad.