Local actress appearing on NBC5's Chicago P.D.

Medford, Ore. — A new episode of Chicago P.D. airs Wednesday night at 10 p.m. right here on NBC5, and among the names starring in the hit series is one of Medford’s own. Heather Petersen-Chrisler graduated from North Medford High School in 2005 and has been chasing her acting dreams ever since. Now, one of those dreams is coming true as she makes her television debut.

Thomas and Laurie Petersen are proud parents. From the arsenal of pictures on their laptop computer to the impressive display of play posters in the hallway, they knew their daughter Heather, had something special.

“Parents say you have to be a nurse, you have to be an accountant, you have to be something where you can support yourself,” Thomas Petersen says, “but she loved this, so she did it from the very beginning.”

A 2005 graduate of North Medford High School, Heather continued her education at the University of Portland, before snagging a number of lead roles in theatre productions. Wednesday night, she’ll star in one of her most exciting roles yet, playing Tawny Darrens, in NBC5’s Chicago P.D.

“She’s got a few tricks up her sleeve,” Heather Chrisler says, “I won’t spoil it for you but she’s not what she appears at first.”

Heather spent 1 week on the set, acting alongside some pretty big names like Jon Seda and Sophia Bush. She’s most anxious to see the final product.

“In theatre you have control over the performance,” Chrisler adds, “in film you do 4 or 5 or 10 takes and the editor decides what your final performance looks like.”

If her parents have anything to say about it, the show will have its highest ratings yet.

“Oh yeah, oh we tell everyone, they’re probably sick of us telling them,” Laurie Petersen says.