Natalee Linez's Chicago P.D. role explained: Everything to know about her character

Chicago P.D., the long-running NBC crime drama in the One Chicago line, just got a bold new addition: forensic psychologist Valerie “Val” Soto. Actress Natalee Linez debuts as Val in Season 12, Episode 3 (“Off Switch”) and wastes no time making an impression. In that episode, Val works a triple-homicide scene with the Intelligence Unit and ends the night by planting a surprise passionate kiss on Officer Kevin Atwater (LaRoyce Hawkins).

That one unforgettable scene instantly cast Val as Atwater’s new love interest and had fans buzzing. In short, Linez’s Chicago P.D. role is a smart, confident psychologist who steps in and shakes up the show’s status quo.

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Who is Valerie “Val” Soto on Chicago P.D.?

At first glance, Val Soto doesn’t look like your average cop. She’s a poised forensic psychologist (played by Linez), calmly surveying a crime scene. In her Season 12 debut on Chicago P.D. (“Off Switch”), she’s immediately shown helping the Intelligence Unit with a triple-homicide case.

What really grabbed viewers’ attention, however, was what happened next. After some friendly banter with Officer Kevin Atwater, Val and Atwater end the episode with that surprise kiss. That one scene did a lot of work—it literally put Val on the map and cast her as Atwater’s new love interest, leaving fans instantly talking about the talented newcomer who “made her debut in one of the most unforgettable ways possible.”

Val’s first day on the job isn’t all romance—she earns her keep. In "Off Switch," she helps Atwater piece together a complex homicide investigation, showing she’s as sharp and useful as any detective.

Initially, Atwater even challenges her—he jokingly complains that Val went “too easy” on a suspect, leading to a tense moment. But the exchange quickly turns respectful; by the end of the scene, Atwater has come to admire her judgment. In other words, Val earns Atwater’s respect right away, proving she’s the real deal in her field.

Later in Season 12, Val pops up again in the episode “Street Jesus.” Here she briefly re-enters Atwater’s life to emphasize a key point: their fling was supposed to be “no strings attached.” Chicago P.D. showrunner Gwen Sigan has teased that viewers will see that arrangement put to the test. On-screen, Val dutifully reminds Atwater of their casual agreement and then steps back when he has a very personal case to handle. As Sigan puts it,

“It was definitely presented... as no strings attached... Now the question is, ‘Can that sustain?’”

So, fans get to watch the relationship “morph quite a bit” going forward.

"Street Jesus" underlines that Val can balance work and personal boundaries—and it leaves the audience wondering if Atwater can handle anything more than a fun date.

It turns out there is plenty more Val Soto to come. Linez’s character is not a one-off guest; she has been promoted to a recurring role on set. As actor LaRoyce Hawkins revealed,

“Atwater’s most recent love interest, Valerie Soto..., will be returning during the season’s second half.”

Hawkins even confirms “Soto is on her way back” and suggests that working with Val will force Atwater to grow. In short, Val is here to stay for a while. Her confident stance (see the image) matches her on-screen presence, and behind the scenes, everyone agrees this pairing will be deepened.

Things get intense in the Chicago P.D. episode “Transference,” which puts Val right in the center of danger. One of Val’s own patients, Nick, becomes violently obsessed with her after she tries to protect a harassment victim online. He stalks and eventually kidnaps her, leading to a high-stakes rescue. Atwater and the team break in, and tragically, Nick ends up dead in the crossfire.

Afterwards, Val shocks everyone by insisting on defending Nick’s rights—she even admits she got attached to him (they bonded over losing their mothers at the same age). It’s a messy, heartfelt scene that nearly shakes her fledgling romance. In the end, though, Val and Atwater choose to stick together—a strong hint that Val’s role will continue and their relationship remains intact.

All this shows who Val really is: a level-headed, compassionate professional who isn’t afraid of danger or tough emotions. As Looper’s recap points out,

“Even among the hard-luck denizens of Chicago P.D., [Val Soto] has coped with some uniquely ugly things.”

Fans have praised Linez’s performance, noting Val’s intelligence and empathy. (Note that Linez was just 23 years old and fresh off roles on Tell Me Lies and Siren before joining the show.) In short, Natalee Linez plays Chicago P.D.'s Val as strong and smart, which is exactly what an Intelligence Unit needs.

Val’s recurring status means we’ll see much more of her. Producers promise her character will have real staying power. In fact, the writers are following up on this story. At least one insider says viewers will see the Val-Atwater dynamic “morph quite a bit” in upcoming episodes.

So yes, Linez’s role is more than just a single plot twist—Val Soto is a new fixture on Chicago P.D., and she brings a fresh perspective to Atwater and his team.

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Chicago P.D., Atwater’s world, and the fans’ take

For years, Kevin Atwater has been one of Chicago P.D.’s most reliable good guys—devoted to family and duty, but not much of a romantic. As NBC Insider notes, before Val, he “traditionally hasn’t enjoyed more than the occasional fling in the romance department.” He adopted his little nephew, Roman, and focused on work, so this is a surprising turn for him. Naturally, Val’s arrival has ripple effects on the rest of the Intelligence Unit.

Viewers can expect to see Atwater leaning on his best friend and longtime partner, Detective Kim Burgess, as he navigates this new relationship. (Burgess has always been the one friend he can banter with, so she’ll likely have humorous advice about his dating life.) Other team members—Sgt. Voight, Jay Halstead, Adam Ruzek, etc.—will also notice a change in Atwater now that he has something personal going on.

The fanbase is buzzing about it. Right after Val’s debut, some worried the storyline would fade—one recap even wondered if Val might end up a “forgotten character” if she didn’t reappear.

Thankfully, that won’t happen. Showrunner Gwen Sigan has confirmed Val will definitely be coming back, and the writers plan to fully explore Atwater’s romance. That announcement put fans at ease and got them excited. People on social media are already coining ship names and praising Linez’s chemistry with Hawkins.

A new love story also means a bit more personal drama for the precinct. Expect more funny and touching moments from Atwater’s end of the squadroom. We already know Burgess will appear as a sounding board, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see reactions from others (maybe even a quick crossover cameo).

Key episodes to watch will be any new ones featuring Val—fans will certainly keep an eye on those. Val’s introduction has also led many to revisit past storylines (like Atwater raising Roman) to see how this fits in. Chicago P.D. thrives on fan investment in the characters, so the writers seem pleased to have stirred things up.

Overall, Val Soto’s arrival has given Chicago P.D. a fresh jolt of energy that’s fun to watch. She’s added an emotional hook to Atwater’s arc and reminded viewers how much they enjoy personal stories in a cop drama. All said, Natalee Linez’s character has become one of the season’s big talking points.

Fans are clearly on board—she’s smart, capable, and the sort of character the audience roots for. With Val confirmed to return in future episodes, Chicago P.D. viewers will be eager to see how this new chapter plays out.

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Natalee Linez’s Valerie “Val” Soto has proven herself a memorable new character on Chicago P.D.. She’s not only brilliant at her forensic job, but she also brings heart to Atwater’s story. As one insider hinted, Val might be just the person who checks all the boxes for Kevin—a partner who truly understands him.

The show has confirmed Val will continue popping up, and fans have already embraced her. In the end, Val Soto has added a fresh spark to the series, and viewers (and critics) are excited to see where her story and relationship with Atwater go next.