Officer Kiana Cook, the latest member of Chicago P.D.'s Intelligence Unit, recently had the spotlight shone on her in the latest episode, "Name Image Likeness." Since her debut in Season 12, Episode 2, Cook has relatively had the least screen time compared to her team members, however, that appears to be changing as her character begins to take shape. Episode 19 gave fans a deeper look at the newest Intelligence Unit member as she worked her first case involving a confidential informant.
While the case didn't unfold as she might have hoped, it offered a chance to better understand her personality and approach to high-pressure situations. Beyond the badge, Cook's mysterious background has intrigued fans. A brief peek into her affluent background left fans eager to learn more, and now, Toya Turner, who portrays Cook, has shared when audiences can expect those details to come to light.
Bits and pieces of Cook’s backstory have been unfolding gradually over the season, with one key detail being that she was raised by her middle-class father following his separation from her wealthy mother. Though their relationship has been strained, her mother has been making efforts to reconnect and make up for lost time. However, Turner teases that Cook's reconciliation with her mother won't be a breeze as Cook needs time to let her guard down and rebuild trust. In a recent interview with ScreenRant, Turner was asked whether Season 12 would explore more of this relationship. “No,” she said, adding, “I think it's teeing up for future stories in the next season, but not this one.”
Cook's Re-connection With Her Mom Will Be a Slow-burn
Pressed for more in the interview, Turner revealed more details about Cook's background, including that she had previously sought a re-connection with her mom at the age of five, but was rebuffed. "I've been going after her since I was five. That was the time that I really, really wanted to connect with her," Turner continued. Because it didn't work out then, Turner hinted that the experience scarred a young Cook who has since been closed off regarding the reconciliation but is now beginning to yield due to her mom's unrelenting efforts.
However, Cook won't be easily seduced by her mother's wealth, with Turner further revealing that the reconciliation won't come easily. "I feel like I should just make her work for it a little bit more. It doesn't have to be five seasons from now, but I feel like there should be at least five episodes before I'm like, "Okay, you know what? Sure. Let's have dinner. Sure, let's hang out. Let me meet the rest of the family." But yeah, I do want to explore that side of the family more. I really do. There's the grandfather, and I think it'd be really fun."
Chicago P.D. Season 10 returns on May 7 with Episode 20, which, per the teaser, will put Burzek in harm's way as their highly anticipated wedding draws near.
