Photo by: Matt Dinerstein/NBC

TV Tango: In your opinion, what sets CHICAGO P.D. apart from other police dramas?

Sophia Bush: The intention behind the show from the creative standpoint is very different than most police dramas. They wanted to make a hybrid show, rather than just a very black-and-white procedural, where there’s case, investigation, case solved in an hour. When I sat down with [executive producers] Dick Wolf and Matt Olmstead before I decided to sign on, they said, “We really want this to feel more like a cable show.” So yes, there will be a crime every week, but we’re really going to delve into who these characters are, how they’re connected, where they come from, what informs each of them, and what makes them tick, so that rather than just watching a case that you’re not really attached to, you have a really deep involvement with these characters. You want them to make it home at the end of the night. So we affectionately call our show a “hybrid.” You want to care; you want to have story arcs that continue throughout a season. It’s an important thing for investment and for empathy.

TV Tango: How has this role impacted your perception of real police officers?

Sophia Bush: Night and day. I always knew that police worked hard, but I’m in awe of all the men and women out there who’ve followed their calling to serve us and who have devoted their lives to keeping us safe. We’re blissfully unaware of how hard they work and the stakes that they live under every day.

Jesse Lee Soffer: I have nothing but respect for our first responders all across the country. Paramedics, fire department, police department -- they have one of the toughest jobs in the world. And lately there’s been a lot of backlash and flak going their way, because we’re seeing mistakes and problems. And maybe there are deep issues, but it’s such a small percentage of what we’re seeing in the media. Every cop that I know who has trained us on the show, all of our technical advisors -- they LOVE their city. They love what they do. They chose that profession to protect people. To do good. And I honestly believe in them and what they do. It’s an honor to portray them in a positive light.

TV Tango: How does the dynamic change on set during crossover episodes with CHICAGO FIRE?

Sophia Bush: It’s a lot of fun. It’s one big fraternity house. It’s like your friends are coming over for a play date. We goof around a lot. And we take it seriously when we have to. But it’s really just exciting.

A two-night CHICAGO FIRE/PD event begins tonight (Tuesday, February 3, 2015) at 10pm ET/PT on NBC. In this new episode of CHICAGO FIRE, "Three Bells," more clues surface surrounding the fire that killed Shay, leading Severide (Taylor Kinney) to a most unexpected source who may be able to provide pertinent information. Meanwhile, Shay’s sister Megan (guest star Ellen Woglom) comes to town, prompting members of the firehouse to remember Shay’s life. Elsewhere, Cruz (Joe Minoso) is in for a surprise when Otis’s (Yuri Sardarov) grandmother moves into their apartment, while Boden finds a way to help his dying father (guest star Richard Roundtree) make the most of his last few weeks. CHICAGO PD's Jon Seda, Marina Squerciati, and Brian Geraghty guest star along with William Smillie, Edwin Hodge, Robert Knepper, and Randy Flagler.

Then, tomorrow (Wednesday, February 4, 2015) at 10pm ET/PT, NBC premieres the "A Little Devil Complex" episode of CHICAGO PD. In the conclusion of this two-part crossover, Antonio (Jon Seda) and his sister Gabriela (guest star Monica Raymund) go to the office of Elliot Gish (guest star Robert Knepper), the man they believe started the fire that killed Shay. Intelligence along with patrol officers Burgess (Marina Squerciati) and Roman (Brian Geraghty) put pressure on Gish to try and make him confess. Lindsay (Sophia Bush) approaches Voight (Jason Beghe) about returning to Intelligence when she realizes that the task force isn’t what she thought it would be. At the same time Desk Sgt. Platt (Amy Morton) is acting strange and has everyone curious as to why she’s being overly cheery, friendly and nice. Also starring Jesse Lee Soffer, Patrick Flueger, Elias Koteas, and LaRoyce Hawkins. Eamonn Walker, Charlie Barnett and Markie Post guest star.

TV Tango: What can you divulge about what will happen with Erin and Jay’s relationship?

Sophia Bush: There’s been chemistry from the beginning. There was a scene in the initial episode where they’re driving and bantering in the car, and Jay’s saying that he feels like a househusband because Lindsay won’t let him drive. The stage direction for the scene was, “there’s heat between these two,” which of course became a running joke that is still going on our set. [Co-star] Elias Koteas will very often, in his mumbly voice go, “Ooh what? Oooh, what’s that? Oh yeah, that’s heat between these two.” It’s that quintessential experience of longing for something that you don’t know if you should have. They both tried to see other people, it didn’t work out, and now I think they’re finally giving in to their feelings. It’s a big step for each of them because they’re very career-oriented characters. Jay’s very disciplined from the army; Lindsay’s very strict about her policing because of the way she grew up. At the end of the day, you can only prolong the inevitable so much. They have such a great rapport as partners, so it’s going to be interesting to see how that translates when they go home.

Jesse Lee Soffer: It’s been fun to see the fans’ reactions to it. Linstead’s been a big thing since episode one: will they or won’t they? It’s going to be exciting to play out with Voight in terms of what his response will be. He’s probably going to want to kick Halstead’s ass. But we don’t know anything right now. I think it will be a secret and Voight’s going to catch wind of it at some point.

TV Tango: What’s more challenging: the mental or physical aspect of this role?

Sophia Bush: I consider myself to be and have been told that I am a deeply empathetic person. I’m really sensitive, so the emotional subject matter resonates with me, but the physical aspect is the hardest. We do 16-hour days every day; we work in minus 20 and minus 30 degree temperatures. Rain, snow, shine - it doesn’t matter. We’re closing in on double digits in our number of ER visits from seasons one to two. It’s risky and it’s grueling, but it’s also so rewarding because it’s the reason the show feels gritty and raw and honest - because it’s a gritty experience making it.

TV Tango: Did the ONE TREE HILL storyline of Brooke learning self-defense and getting her revenge on Xavier after he attacked her help you get into the headspace of Erin Lindsay?

Sophia Bush: Not at all. I’ve been a marksman shooter since I was 12-years-old. I’ve had a concealed weapons permit for close to a decade. All of that was my own. The writers on ONE TREE HILL thought, “Sophia’s this badass chick who loves martial arts and knives and guns, and it’s so funny because she’s also this fashionista, and Brooke is a fashionista, so why not use a little bit of that in the show and let her have some fun?” So, I informed all of that stuff and now I further inform Erin.

TV Tango: How is Season 2 different from the show's first season?

Jesse Lee Soffer: There’s a lot more action [in Season 2 than in Season 1]. We go even deeper into the relationships. We have Burzek (Burgess and Ruzek) getting together, and Linstead is happening, and we’re seeing some drama between Voight and Lindsay and Lindsay’s mom unfold. So all of those relationship dynamics will be exciting for the fans to watch.

Next week (Wednesday, February 11, 2015) at 10pm ET/PT, NBC will premiere the "Erin's Mom" episode of CHICAGO FIRE. In this new episode, Bunny (guest star Markie Post) comes to Lindsay (Sophia Bush) concerned about a suspicious repeat customer at her husband’s rental company. This lead brings Intelligence into a case which robbery-homicide has been working for months. Detective Gina Gawronski (guest star Angelique Cabral) downloads their intel to the team, she also happens to be Antonio’s (Jon Seda) former co-worker from Vice. Voight (Jason Beghe) doesn’t trust Bunny’s motives for the tip. Also starring Jesse Lee Soffer, Patrick Flueger, Elias Koteas, Marina Squerciati, LaRoyce Hawkins, Amy Morton and Brian Geraghty. Stella Maeve and Michael Filipowich guest star.