‘Chicago P.D.’ Fans React to LaRoyce Hawkins Exit: ‘Ginormous Loss’ 

Chicago P.D. is losing another familiar face. 

LaRoyce Hawkins will leave the popular NBC drama early in season 14, Deadline reports. 

Hawkins has played Kevin Atwater on the Dick Wolf series since it premiered in 2014, becoming a fan-favorite character in the process. Unsurprisingly, loyal One Chicago viewers did not take the news of his looming departure well. 

“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.”

‘Chicago P.D.’ Season 13 set the stage for Atwater’s departure

As several fans observed, Chicago P.D. Season 13 set the stage for Atwater to leave the Windy City. Early in the season, he’d gotten involved with a fellow officer named Tasha Fox (Karen Obilom). She then moved to Miami, leaving Atwater with an invitation to join her in Florida. He waffled on what to do, until Tasha reappeared in Chicago with some big news: She’s pregnant with Atwater’s baby. That situation provides the perfect excuse for Atwater to hand in his resignation and move to Miami to be with Tasha. 

With Hawkins leaving the show, Chicago P.D. is on the hunt for his replacement. The show is casting for “a Black cop who is an agent of chaos,” according to Deadline. 

Chicago P.D. Season 14 premieres Wednesday, October 7 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on NBC. Episodes stream the next day on Peacock. 

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