Summary (tl;dr)

LaRoyce Hawkins, a long-standing original cast member of NBC's police procedural "Chicago P.D.," is confirmed to be exiting the series during its upcoming 14th season, concluding his role as Officer Kevin Atwater.

Essential Background

"Chicago P.D." is an American police procedural television series, created by Dick Wolf, and is the second installment of the "One Chicago" franchise, which also includes "Chicago Fire" and "Chicago Med". The show follows the uniformed patrol officers and the Intelligence Unit of the 21st District of the Chicago Police Department as they combat major street offenses in the city. LaRoyce Hawkins has portrayed Officer Kevin Atwater since the show's debut in 2014, making him one of its original cast members. His character has been a significant presence across all three "One Chicago" shows.

The Full Story

News broke on July 2, 2026, that LaRoyce Hawkins will depart from "Chicago P.D." as a series regular after 13 seasons. He is expected to appear in the first two or three episodes of Season 14 to wrap up Officer Kevin Atwater's storyline. This exit marks a significant cast change for the long-running drama, leaving only a few original members remaining. Following Hawkins' departure, the show is reportedly casting a new series regular: a Black police officer described as an "agent of chaos."

Why It Matters

The departure of LaRoyce Hawkins is a major event for "Chicago P.D." and its dedicated fanbase, as Kevin Atwater is a deeply established and recognizable character within the "One Chicago" universe. Fans have followed Atwater's complex storylines, including a recent development in Season 13 where his former police academy colleague, Officer Tasha Fox, returned to Chicago pregnant with his child. This personal storyline suggests a potential reason for Atwater's exit from Chicago, possibly to raise his family, which deeply impacts the narrative direction of the show. His exit continues a trend of original cast member departures from the series in recent seasons, leading to significant shifts in the show's core ensemble.

Geographic Location

• Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States (primary filming location and setting of "Chicago P.D." series)