What Happened to Ruzek? John Patrick Flueger’s ‘Chicago P.D.’ Absence, Explained

Chicago P.D. is down an officer. 

Longtime cast member John Patrick Flueger is taking a break from the Dick Wolf drama, Deadline reports. The actor’s unexpected time off is forcing the show’s writers to rework scripts to explain the absence of his character, Officer Adam Ruzek, in upcoming season 13 episodes. 

John Patrick Fluger takes break from ‘Chicago P.D.’ 

What prompted Flueger to step away from filming? Sources told Deadline that he is dealing with a number of personal issues, including an incident of alcohol use on the set of the NBC procedural. 

This is not the first time that the One Chicago shows have had to accommodate a cast member’s temporary exit. In early 2023, Kelly Severide actor Taylor Kinney took time off from Chicago Fire for personal reasons. He later returned to the show. 

How will the NBC show explain Adam Ruzek’s absence?

Fans will have to wait and see how Chicago P.D. explains why Ruzek is missing from the show. But there are a couple of potential avenues. A temporary reassignment or undercover gig are possible options, though the show will need to address how that affects Ruzek’s wife, fellow officer Kim Burgess (Marina Squerciati) – whom he married in the season 12 finale – and their daughter Makayla (Ramona Edith Williams). 

Like Flueger, Ruzek might also need to take time off for personal reasons. We learned last season that his father has Alzheimer’s, so it would not be unexpected for him to need to take a leave of absence from the Chicago PD to care for his dad. 

Chicago P.D. Season 13 airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on NBC. Episodes stream the next day on Peacock.

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