Gwen Sigan and Arienne Mandi Discuss the Emotional Season 13 Finale of ‘Chicago P.D.’ and What’s Next

SPOILER ALERT: The following reveals major plot points from NBC’s Chicago P.D. Season 13 finale.

The Season 13 finale of Chicago P.D. revolved around Officer Eva Imani (Arienne Mandi) as she sought to reunite with her sister, Shari (Selin Çuhadaroğlu), who had been abducted at the age of six. While a happy resolution seemed unlikely, the episode explored complex emotions and difficult realities.

As the reunion unfolded, Shari appeared to be open to the idea that Imani was her long-lost sister. However, years of separation had forged divergent paths; Imani had become a dedicated detective, while Shari was suspected of murder. The sisters found themselves on opposing sides of the law, complicating any potential reconciliation.

Despite initial warmth, Shari ultimately betrayed Imani, choosing to side with Kirby, the man who had kidnapped her and later became her husband. Once united, Shari and Kirby turned on Imani, with Kirby urging Shari to attack her sister, recalling that Imani had discovered the body of Shari’s friend, whom she had killed. Shari confessed to the murder, further complicating the situation.

In a dramatic twist, the police squad intervened just in time to save Imani while Sergeant Hank Voight (Jason Beghe) pursued Kirby in the building. Voight ensured that Kirby would never pose a threat again.

The finale concluded with Imani discovering Shari had attempted self-harm. As Shari stabilized and began her recovery, Imani and Voight discussed her sister’s implications in the murder case and what her future might hold, raising questions about a potential trial and incarceration. The episode left viewers pondering whether Imani would persuade Voight to keep Shari out of the legal system, presenting a heartbreaking dilemma as Imani grappled with the duality of her sister’s identity.

Showrunner Gwen Sigan and Mandi reflected on the complex nature of the finale during a recent conversation.

DEADLINE: Gwen, this story was never going to get a happy ending. What was your approach to writing the conclusion?

GWEN SIGAN: What was so exciting about the story was that there’s so much juice in it. There’s so much that can be done within a story like this. With Imani, we established early on that she has defined herself by the search for her sister, and it’s really molded her whole life and who she is.

We always wanted to give it to her, but by getting it, it wouldn’t be what she wanted or expected. So we knew we wanted to take it in the most complicated way we could. So that became what our conversations in the room were about: what would be the most heartbreaking thing? Would it be that her sister doesn’t remember her? Would it be that her sister betrays her? There were so many things, and as you can tell in the finale, we went with a lot of them.

DEADLINE: Her sister survives, though, and with her captor dead, there’s at least some hope left that whatever time they have left, they could make a positive connection, right?

SIGAN: There is hope in the fact that we see this little moment between them, of this memory of the two of them when they were children. I think that does live inside of Shari and provides a certain level of love and protection. If she could ever get any of that back, I think there’s a lot of hope for her and Imani. It’s bittersweet, right? We get what we want, but it’s not what we expected.

DEADLINE: Was Shari’s reaction genuine, or was she making it all up to take advantage of Imani?

SIGAN: It’s a little bit up to the audience to interpret. By the end of the episode, you still don’t really know completely what her intentions are. Both things were true. I think she was at war with herself in that scene, and that there were moments that, whether she remembered them or not, I think she believed in the validity of what she was seeing.

DEADLINE: Imani and Voight have developed trust. How will their relationship evolve after this?

ARIENNE MANDI: They’re stronger towards the end of the episode. We are left with the cliffhanger of whether Shari will be charged with murder. It becomes clear that Voight and Imani share similar instincts and characteristics, leading them to do whatever needs to be done. So, while they end up stronger, the question remains: do they conceal what’s happened, or does he bring it to light?

DEADLINE: What do you hope to explore as an actor in Imani’s journey moving forward?

ARIENNE MANDI: The search for her sister has been her life’s purpose for 22 years. What happens now that there is a shred of closure?

DEADLINE: With Imani having found her sister, could there be a trial or jail sentence in the upcoming season?

SIGAN: Both options are on the table. We’ll explore the aftermath and how it will affect both characters and Shari’s character as well. What will her life look like? Is it a journey of rehabilitation and self-discovery? All possibilities remain open.