Production is officially underway on Season 14 of NBC’s Chicago P.D., and while Intelligence Unit fans are celebrating the show’s return, they’re also preparing to say goodbye to one of its longest-serving officers.
Actress Marina Squerciati, who plays Detective Kim Burgess, shared a behind-the-scenes Instagram photo from the first days of filming alongside LaRoyce Hawkins (Officer Kevin Atwater) and Patrick John Flueger (Officer Adam Ruzek), giving fans their first glimpse of the trio back in action.
Captioned simply, “Back to work,” the photo shows the officers geared up for what appears to be another tactical operation, with Hawkins and Flueger carrying breaching equipment as Intelligence heads into another high-stakes case.
The image also serves as a bittersweet reminder that Hawkins’ time at the 21st District is coming to an end. LaRoyce told Reel Chicago that he expected to be done by August 15.
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Earlier this month, NBC confirmed that Hawkins will depart Chicago P.D. during Season 14 after more than a decade on the series. Rather than disappearing between seasons, Hawkins will appear in several early episodes to give Officer Kevin Atwater a proper on-screen farewell.
Introduced in the series premiere in 2014, Atwater has grown from a uniformed patrol officer into one of Intelligence’s most respected detectives. Throughout the show’s run, the character became known for tackling storylines involving race, policing, family and community while developing close friendships with Burgess and Ruzek, who both joined the series alongside him.
Season 13 may have already laid the groundwork for Atwater’s exit.
The finale revealed that his relationship with Officer Tasha Fox (Karen Obilom), who relocated to Miami, is about to take a major step forward as the couple prepares to welcome a child together. Many fans speculate Atwater could leave Chicago to raise his family, offering the character a hopeful ending rather than the tragic departures that have claimed other members of Intelligence over the years.
Whether that’s ultimately how the writers send him off remains to be seen.
One thing is certain: Hawkins leaves behind one of the most enduring legacies in the One Chicago franchise. Alongside Jason Beghe, Marina Squerciati and Patrick John Flueger, he helped define the series from its earliest days, making Atwater one of the emotional anchors of Firehouse 51’s sister show.
Season 14 premieres Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on NBC, with Hawkins expected to appear in the opening episodes before officially saying goodbye to Intelligence.
For Chicago television fans, the countdown to Atwater’s final call has officially begun.
