After 13 Seasons, Original ‘Chicago P.D.’ Star Exits NBC Series as Major Cast Shake-Up Hits

After 13 seasons on NBC’s ‘Chicago P.D.’, longtime fan-favorite LaRoyce Hawkins is set to step away as a series regular, marking a major shift for the police drama.

According to reporting from Deadline, Hawkins, who has played Officer Kevin Atwater since the show premiered in 2014, will no longer appear as a full-time cast member going into Season 14. However, the exit will not be immediate. Sources say he is expected to return for the first two or three episodes of the new season in order to properly conclude Atwater’s storyline.

The news marks the end of an era for the character, who has been one of the most consistent and grounded presences in the ‘Chicago P.D.’ ensemble for more than a decade. Hawkins’ departure also continues a pattern of cast changes across the long-running One Chicago franchise, which has regularly rotated and refreshed its main lineup over the years.

Alongside the exit news, the show is also reportedly casting a new series regular, described as a Black police officer with an unpredictable and chaotic personality. No further details about the character have been officially confirmed yet, and NBC has not commented on the casting or Hawkins’ departure.

A representative for Wolf Entertainment, the production company behind the series, declined to comment when contacted by Deadline. Hawkins has been a central part of ‘Chicago P.D.’ since day one, portraying Kevin Atwater as a steady member of Hank Voight’s Intelligence Unit. Over the years, the character has built a reputation among fans for being loyal, principled, and deeply connected to the moral struggles that often define the series.

His personal life has also been a major focus in recent seasons. In Season 13, Atwater reconnects with Officer Tasha Fox, played by Karen Obilom, a storyline that quickly evolves from friendship into a complicated romance. Their relationship becomes even more emotional when Tasha returns later in the season revealing she is pregnant, adding new tension and uncertainty to Atwater’s future.

That development has led to speculation among viewers about whether Atwater could eventually leave Chicago himself, especially as the character is faced with major personal decisions heading into the next chapter of the show.

Hawkins joins a growing list of notable departures from the franchise, including Jesse Lee Soffer and Tracy Spiridakos, who also stepped away in recent seasons. Despite these exits, the series has continued to introduce new characters and storylines to keep the Intelligence Unit evolving.

As ‘Chicago P.D.’ prepares for Season 14, fans are now left waiting to see how Atwater’s final episodes will play out and what his departure means for the future of the team.

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