TV
LaRoyce Hawkins will leave ‘Chicago P.D.’ early in season 14, according to reports.
Chicago P.D. is saying goodbye to another beloved character. Chicago P.D. cast departures have become all too familiar lately, and this one’s hitting different for fans.
LaRoyce Hawkins is leaving the popular NBC drama early in season 14, Deadline reports. The actor, who’s been with the show since its 2014 premiere, played Officer Kevin Atwater—a character who became a fan favorite and a Chicago P.D. cast departures storyline that nobody wanted to see happen.
Hawkins brought real depth to Atwater over twelve seasons, making the character feel like someone you knew. The reactions from loyal viewers have been raw and honest—people are genuinely upset about losing him from the ensemble.
“We – all of us who are Atwater fans – are unwell,” one person commented on Instagram, saying that they “knew the day was coming” considering that the character was “absolutely underutilized.”
“I do not know what in the world the folks behind Chicago PD are thinking, but this is a ginormous loss,” they added.
“This is heartbreaking for a lot of us … Will not watch after you wrap!!!” another person chimed in.
“Had a feeling he was leaving Chicago PD,” someone else wrote. “Saw way too many signs of it as of late and it sucks definitely.”
Season 13 Paved the Way
As several fans observed, Chicago P.D. Season 13 set the stage perfectly for Atwater’s exit. Early in the season, he got involved with fellow officer Tasha Fox (Karen Obilom). She moved to Miami and extended an invitation for him to join her. The storyline kept building tension until Tasha returned with major news—she’s pregnant with Atwater’s baby. That situation gave the show a natural reason for Atwater to hand in his resignation and move to Florida to be with Tasha.
With Hawkins leaving the show, Chicago P.D. is casting for his replacement. The show is looking for “a Black cop who is an agent of chaos,” according to Deadline. It’s a high bar to follow Hawkins’ compelling portrayal of a character who evolved throughout his tenure.
Chicago P.D. Season 14 premieres Wednesday, October 7 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on NBC. Episodes stream the next day on Peacock for those who want to catch up on all the drama.
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