Chicago PD Stars Reunite with Real-Life Friendship
In the high-stakes world of Chicago PD, where tense investigations and adrenaline-fueled criminal takedowns are the norm, a heartwarming real-life friendship has blossomed between two key cast members. Dante Torres, played by Benjamin Levy Aguilar, and Eva Imani, portrayed by Arienne Mandi, bring not just their characters' chemistry to the screen but also a bond forged long before they joined the NBC series.
A Friendship Born in Los Angeles
The story of Aguilar and Mandi’s friendship begins in Los Angeles, where they first connected during a 2020 Jiu-Jitsu class. Aguilar, known for his late arrivals, found a kindred spirit in Mandi, who shared his passion for both acting and fitness. Their bond quickly grew, leading them to train together and support each other’s acting careers, from helping with self-tapes to sharing industry insights.
The Fateful First Meeting
“I’d been there a few times prior to him joining, and he joined, and he was late,” Mandi recalled. “He was late every single time. Then we became training partners, and we both realized that we were both actors, and we loved working out. So, we joined basically every gym in Los Angeles. And, yeah, just became the best of friends.”
From Training Partners to TV Stars
What started as a shared interest in Jiu-Jitsu evolved into a deep friendship, with Aguilar and Mandi becoming each other’s biggest supporters. Aguilar’s move to Chicago to join Chicago PD Season 9 was a turning point, but the two remained close, dreaming of the day they might share the screen. Their wish came true in Season 13, when Mandi’s character, Eva Imani, joined the Intelligence Unit.
On-Screen Chemistry Rooted in Reality
The transition from real-life friends to on-screen colleagues has been seamless. In Season 13’s episode “Faith,” Torres and Imani’s teamwork shines as they tackle a cold-case murder, with Imani’s fresh perspective helping Torres track down a murderous cop. Their natural rapport brings authenticity to their interactions, making their partnership feel genuine and dynamic.
Behind the Scenes: A Bond That Shines Through
Even when filming intense scenes, Aguilar and Mandi struggle to maintain a straight face, a testament to their playful dynamic. “The first time we did a scene together, we couldn’t lock eyes because it was, like, chaos,” Aguilar admitted. “We can barely keep a straight face right now, so you can imagine us in a scene together?” Mandi added, laughing.
Supporting Each Other’s Careers
Before Aguilar landed his role as Torres, Mandi remembered the excitement in his voice when he shared the news. “I remember when he booked the show, and he gave me the news, and he was so excited,” she said. “He’s like, ‘I’m moving to Chicago, it’s so crazy!’ And, you know, as friends, you always say, ‘One day we’ll work together.’ And it sort of just happened for real. Which was nuts.”
A Shared Sense of Humor and Drive
Mandi describes Aguilar as one of her “closest” friends, highlighting their shared sense of humor and mutual support. “We realized we have the same sense of humor, and obviously, we were both actors, so we started hanging out, helping each other with self-tapes, training a lot,” she revealed. “We were kind of just very kindred spirits. I guess you could say we just had a blast together and became the closest of friends.”
The Impact on Chicago PD
The addition of Eva Imani to the Intelligence Unit has not only introduced a fresh dynamic to Chicago PD but also brought a new layer of authenticity to the series. Torres and Imani’s partnership, grounded in Aguilar and Mandi’s real-life friendship, adds emotional depth to the show’s action-packed narrative.
A Glimpse into the Future
As Season 13 continues, fans can expect more compelling interactions between Torres and Imani, both on and off the screen. Their friendship is a reminder of the real-life connections that fuel the magic of television, making Chicago PD not just a thrilling drama but also a heartfelt story of camaraderie.
For viewers tuning into Chicago PD Wednesdays at 10/9c on NBC or next-day streaming on Peacock, the bond between Torres and Imani is a highlight that elevates the series to new heights.
