One Chicago Franchise Shifts
LaRoyce Hawkins Exits Chicago P.D. After 13 Seasons Amid Broader One Chicago Franchise Changes
Key Points
Deadline confirms that LaRoyce Hawkins will wrap up Officer Atwater's arc in the first two to three episodes of Season 14, marking his exit after 13 seasons.
In Season 13, Atwater rekindled a romance with Officer Tasha Fox; Fox reveals she is pregnant with their child and moves to Miami for a new job, potentially prompting Atwater to consider following her to Florida to raise a family.
Ahead of Hawkins’ exit, Chicago P.D. added Arienne Mandi as a new series regular, portraying Officer Eva Imani for Season 13, signaling ongoing ensemble shifts within the One Chicago franchise.
Chicago Fire showrunner Andrea Newman is departing after 14 years; co-executive producer Victor Teran will take over the role, with Newman sharing a heartfelt reflection on the experience and the family-like nature of the team.
LaRoyce Hawkins is leaving Chicago P.D. after 13 seasons, ending his run as Officer Kevin Atwater in the first two to three episodes of Season 14, according to Deadline. Hawkins has been with the show since its 2014 premiere, making him one of its last remaining original cast members.
The exit is part of a broader shake-up across the One Chicago franchise. Chicago Fire is also losing its showrunner, and the P.D. cast has seen major departures in recent seasons. US Magazine called it a "shocking" exit for a series that has already lost several key players.
Atwater's Final Arc Leads Him Toward Miami
Hawkins' exit was set up through Season 13 storylines. His character, Officer Kevin Atwater, rekindled a romance with Officer Tasha Fox. Fox then revealed she was pregnant with their child and took a new job in Miami. The storyline left open the door for Atwater to follow her to Florida to raise a family.
Just Jared confirmed Hawkins will return briefly in Season 14 to wrap up that arc before leaving the show. The clean storyline exit gives fans closure rather than an abrupt departure, which is notable given how some past One Chicago exits have played out.
Chicago P.D. Casts a New 'Agent of Chaos'
The show is not standing still. Ahead of Hawkins' full departure, Chicago P.D. already added Arienne Mandi as a new series regular in Season 13. She plays Officer Eva Imani. Now the show is casting again, searching for another new series regular described as a Black cop who is an agent of chaos.
The new character description signals a sharp tonal shift for the Intelligence Unit. Atwater was known for being a moral anchor on the team. Replacing him with someone described as chaotic suggests the writers want to shake up the unit's dynamic in a significant way.
Chicago P.D. Has Lost Several Stars in Recent Years
Hawkins is not the first major exit from the show. Jesse Lee Soffer, who played Detective Jay Halstead, left in Season 10. Tracy Spiridakos, who played Detective Hailey Upton, also departed. Toya Turner left ahead of Season 13. Each exit forced the writers to rebuild parts of the Intelligence Unit from scratch.
Hawkins' departure stings more than most. He has been on the show since Episode 1 in 2014. That is 13 full seasons. Yahoo Style noted his status as a long-time One Chicago star, underlining just how rare this kind of tenure is in modern network television.
Chicago Fire Also Loses Its Longtime Showrunner
The upheaval is not limited to Chicago P.D. Chicago Fire showrunner Andrea Newman is stepping down after 14 years. Co-executive producer Victor Teran will take over. Newman shared a heartfelt statement about the show, calling the team family-like after more than a decade working together.
The back-to-back leadership and cast changes across both shows point to a franchise in transition. Wolf Entertainment and Universal Television appear to be actively reshaping the One Chicago universe heading into the next phase of its run on NBC.
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