Introduction

Sara Bues is an American actress and theater performer who has gained attention for her strong and natural acting style. Many viewers know her from the NBC crime drama Chicago P.D., where she plays the role of Nina Chapman, an ambitious Assistant State’s Attorney.

Contents

Before becoming known on television, Sara built her career slowly through theater work and smaller TV roles. She focused on training, education, and stage experience, which helped her develop strong acting skills over time.

Her journey is a good example of how patience, practice, and dedication can lead to success in the entertainment industry.

Quick Bio

Detail	Information
Full Name	Sara Bues
Date of Birth	August 1, 1985
Birthplace	Brooklyn / Long Island, New York, USA
Nationality	American
Education	BFA, Syracuse University; Acting Studio Chicago; School of Steppenwolf
Profession	Actress, Theater Performer
Known For	Nina Chapman in Chicago P.D.
Other TV Shows	Law and Order: SVU, FBI, City on a Hill
Theater Credits	Tiny House, East of Eden, The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window, Falling Away
Instagram	@buesical
Estimated Net Worth	$500,000

Who Is Sara Bues?

If you have been watching Chicago P.D. on NBC, you have probably noticed a sharp and confident legal character named Nina Chapman. The actress behind that role is Sara Bues, an American actress and theater performer who has been building her career one step at a time.

Sara is not the type of actress who became famous overnight. She spent years working in theater, taking small screen roles, and improving her skills before getting her big break on one of America’s most popular crime dramas. Her story is a great example of how hard work and patience can lead to real success in the entertainment world.

In this article, we will take a close look at Sara Bues, her early life, her education, her career in TV and theater, and some fun facts that fans would love to know.

Early Life and Family Background

Sara Bues grew up in Long Island, New York, and comes from a close and loving family. Her father’s name is Tom Bues, and she has a sister named Jessica Forbes, who works as a professional entrepreneur.

Sara was surrounded by the arts from a very young age. Living in New York gave her access to a rich cultural world full of theater, music, and live performances. These early experiences played a big role in pushing her toward a career in acting. She was the kind of kid who did not just want to watch shows, she wanted to be in them.

Her family supported her dreams, and that support made a huge difference. Sara has occasionally shared sweet moments with her family on social media, including birthday wishes for her father, showing that even as a busy actress, she keeps her family close to her heart.

Education and Training

Sara Bues took her education very seriously. She did not just want to act. She wanted to truly understand the craft.

Sara holds a BFA from Syracuse University and has studied with the School of Steppenwolf, one of the most respected theater training programs in the United States.

She also lived in Chicago for a time, where she trained at the Acting Studio Chicago, a well known center that offers acting classes for young people and adults alike.

This combination of formal university education and hands-on training at prestigious acting schools gave Sara a very strong base. She understood character development, emotional depth, and how to carry a scene both on stage and on screen. This background is one of the main reasons she handles complex roles so well.

Theater Career: Where It All Began

Before Sara appeared on any TV screen, she was already doing great work in theater. The stage was her first home, and it remains a huge part of who she is as a performer.

On stage, Sara originated the role of Sam in Tiny House at Westport Country Playhouse. Off-Broadway, she appeared in Falling Away, a new play by Christopher Shinn at Ensemble Studio Theatre. Other notable theater work includes East of Eden at Steppenwolf Theatre and The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window at the Goodman Theatre.

In 2021, Sara starred in Tiny House, a play from Westport Country Playhouse that was rehearsed over Zoom and performed virtually, which was a unique experience during the pandemic period.

These theater roles show that Sara is not just a TV actress. She is a complete performer who can handle demanding material and big stages. Her theater experience also helped her bring a certain depth and naturalness to her on-screen roles.

Television Career: From Small Roles to Big Recognition

Sara’s move from theater to television was careful and steady. She did not rush into it. Instead, she built her screen experience slowly, taking roles that helped her grow.

Law and Order: Special Victims Unit (2018)

Sara appeared in Law and Order: Special Victims Unit during Season 20, opposite Mariska Hargitay. She played a waitress named Bethany Fisher, who had been sexually assaulted, in Episode 8 titled “Hell’s Kitchen.”

This was a difficult and emotional role, and Sara handled it with great skill. Her performance caught the attention of casting directors and helped her move forward in her television career.

FBI (2020)

Sara Bues also appeared on CBS’s FBI, where she portrayed the character Gayle Dixon. This guest role added another crime drama to her resume and showed that she could work well within different TV universes.

City on a Hill

Sara also appeared in the Showtime series City on a Hill, where she played the character Tess Freda. This added another strong credit to her growing list of screen work.

Chicago P.D. (2022 Onward): The Role That Changed Everything

The role that truly put Sara Bues on the map for a wider audience came in 2022, when she joined the cast of Chicago P.D.

Sara Bues plays Chicago P.D.’s ambitious Assistant State Attorney Nina Chapman. The show is a spin-off of Chicago Fire and is an NBC police drama that follows the officers and intelligence unit of the 21st District of the Chicago Police Department.

Nina Chapman is the ambitious Assistant State’s Attorney who first appeared in Chicago P.D.’s Season 9 finale titled “You and Me.” She continued to appear throughout Season 10, including Episode 16 titled “Deadlocked,” which was directed by Jesse Lee Soffer.

She and Voight have built a close and somewhat trusting professional relationship over time. In Episode 13 titled “The Ghost in You,” Chapman opened up to Voight about a personal secret connected to the case they were investigating. She revealed that she had slept with her informant, who had been murdered. Voight, determined to protect her and her reputation, worked hard to solve the case without Chapman’s secret coming to light.

The character of Nina Chapman is complex, strong, and real. She is not just a background character. She has her own story, her own struggles, and her own relationship with the main cast. Sara brings all of that to life in a very believable way.

Sara also has a personal connection to the show. She revealed on her Instagram that she knew the writer of the episode “Deadlocked,” Mateo Brown, as a friend. She wrote, “Tonight is a super special episode of Chicago P.D. because my bud Mateo Brown wrote it. How cool to be in his first official episode of TV?”

Personal Life

Sara Bues tends to keep her personal life fairly private, but she does share moments on her Instagram page that give fans a small window into who she is away from the camera.

Sara has been in a relationship with her long-time partner Gordon LaForge. They got engaged in 2023, and their relationship reflects mutual support and deep respect for each other’s careers and personal needs.

Sara and Gordon welcomed their first child, a baby boy, in October 2024. Sara has shared some of her experiences about becoming a mother, noting that it has been a period of adjustment and change, with Gordon being a steady and supportive partner throughout.

Sara is also known to support charitable causes close to her heart. She has shown support for organizations that work in areas like cancer research, mental health, and LGBTQ+ youth support.

Sara maintains a thoughtful social media presence under the username @buesical. She shares behind-the-scenes photographs, motivating thoughts, and insights into her acting career. Unlike many celebrities, she uses her platform to promote mental wellness and positive thinking.

Fans appreciate that Sara does not just post glamorous photos. She keeps things real, sharing both the exciting and the ordinary parts of her life. That kind of authenticity has helped her build a loyal and engaged following.

Net Worth

As of 2024, Sara Bues’ net worth is estimated to be between $500,000 and $1 million, which she has earned through her work in the entertainment industry, including her acting roles and production work.

As her career continues to grow, especially with her regular appearances on Chicago P.D., this number is expected to rise in the coming years.

Why Sara Bues Stands Out

What makes Sara Bues different from many other TV actresses is her background in serious theater. She did not start her career by chasing fame on social media or jumping straight into Hollywood. She trained hard, worked on stage, and built real skills over many years.

Her character Nina Chapman on Chicago P.D. reflects a lot of what Sara brings to the table: intelligence, confidence, and emotional complexity. The character feels real because the actress playing her is grounded in real craft.

Sara is also a person who values balance. She has spoken about the importance of mental wellness, staying grounded, and taking care of yourself both physically and emotionally. For fans who follow her on Instagram, she comes across as someone who genuinely enjoys her work and her life.

Final Thoughts

Sara Bues is one of those actresses who quietly does great work without needing to be the loudest person in the room. She has put in the time, done the training, and built a career that continues to grow. Whether you first noticed her in a guest role on Law and Order: SVU or discovered her through her recurring presence on Chicago P.D., one thing is clear: Sara Bues is an actress with real talent and a bright future ahead of her.

If you are not already following her journey, now is a great time to start. Her story is a reminder that steady effort and a love for the craft can take you very far in a competitive industry.

10 Frequently Asked Questions About Sara Bues

1. Who is Sara Bues?

Sara Bues is an American actress and theater performer best known for playing Assistant State’s Attorney Nina Chapman on NBC’s Chicago P.D.

2. When was Sara Bues born?

Sara Bues was born on August 1, 1985.

3. Where is Sara Bues from?

She is from Long Island, New York, USA.

4. What is Sara Bues’ role in Chicago P.D.?

She plays Nina Chapman, an ambitious Assistant State’s Attorney who works closely with Detective Voight and the Intelligence Unit.

5. When did Sara Bues join Chicago P.D.?

She made her debut in the Season 9 finale of Chicago P.D. in 2022 and has continued appearing through Season 12.

6. What other TV shows has Sara Bues appeared in?

She has appeared in Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, FBI, and City on a Hill.

7. Where did Sara Bues study acting?

She earned a BFA from Syracuse University and also trained at the Acting Studio Chicago and the School of Steppenwolf.

Yes, she is on Instagram under the handle @buesical, where she shares personal and professional updates.

9. What is Sara Bues’ estimated net worth?

Her estimated net worth is around $500,000, earned through her acting and production work.

10. Has Sara Bues done any theater work?

Yes, she has a strong theater background. Some of her notable stage credits include Tiny House at Westport Country Playhouse, East of Eden at Steppenwolf Theatre, and Falling Away at Ensemble Studio Theatre.

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