After 13 years, an original Chicago P.D. star is leaving for good

If you’ve kept even half an eye on Chicago P.D. since it first kicked off in 2014, you’ll know it’s morphed over the years from your standard-issue gritty cop drama into a bit of an NBC institution. But honestly, that original rough-and-ready vibe feels a world away now, especially post-mass exodus of several major cast members.

The show’s seen so many changes, it’s almost unrecognisable from the early days of Hank Voight’s no-nonsense Intelligence Unit. Remember when Jesse Lee Soffer walked in 2022—that was the start of the real shake-up, with Jay Halstead’s departure properly unsettling the group dynamic. Tracy Spiridakos following suit as Hailey Upton? That was just the next domino. Toya Turner, who popped up as Officer Kiana Cook in Season 12, is also reportedly out as a regular. And now, with thirteen series down, another major exit is incoming.

LaRoyce Hawkins Out After 13 Seasons

LaRoyce Hawkins, who’s played Officer Kevin Atwater since the beginning, is bowing out as a series regular. According to Deadline, he’ll be back for the opening two or three episodes of Season 14 just to wrap up Atwater’s arc, but after that, he’s off.

Atwater’s never been the shoutiest character in Voight’s lineup—and let’s be real, that group is not exactly shy—but he’s consistently anchored the messier personalities with a bit of much-needed level-headedness. This most recent season (that’s 13, if you’re losing count) dialled in on his relationship with Officer Tasha Fox, played by Karen Obilom. They had the whole will-they-won’t-they reconnection, Tasha did a runner to Miami, then came back with the little bombshell that she’s pregnant. Suddenly, Atwater was staring down some proper life decisions.

The Role That Changed Hawkins

Hawkins has been candid about how much Kevin Atwater’s journey shaped his own. Looking back in a 2025 chat with People, he said:

"But the longevity and the consistency that I’ve been able to create with learning from Kevin Atwater has really strengthened my confidence more than anything."

He went on about what the part actually meant to him—being the only Black cop in the core unit, and that whole 'first responder' weight. In Hawkins’ words:

"the nature of the role being a first responder, being the only Black cop in the unit, it's a combination of so many things that, honestly, really contributes to feeling very confident and grateful in my skillset over time."

Plus, he added that the sheer length of time on the series gave him the space to just 'learn and grow', so now he’s more at home on camera than ever.

Notable Departures and New Faces

With Hawkins on his way out, the show’s not just plugging the gap and hoping for the best. According to Deadline’s reporting, they’re actively casting a new series regular described as 'a Black cop who is an agent of chaos.' Subtlety is clearly not on the audition sheet for this role.

So, next season is going to have to juggle sending off Atwater in a way that actually makes sense, and at the same time, bring in this new wildcard. Life in the Intelligence Unit moves on, apparently.

NBC’s Still Backing the Franchise

For everyone worried about the state of the series following this revolving cast door, NBC isn’t wavering. The entire One Chicago line-up—Chicago P.D., Chicago Fire, Chicago Med—has already been renewed straight through the 2026-27 season, so there’s no risk of the block suddenly evaporating.

Quick Refresher: Where Chicago P.D. Stands Now

• Setting: District 21 of the Chicago Police Department, split between the uniformed beat cops on street duty and the Intelligence Unit (mostly dealing with the uglier, headline-grabbing crimes).
• Boss: Hank Voight—famously not afraid to bend, snap, or ignore the law to get results.
• Cast turnover: More than a few key players have exited over the years, often with fairly involved goodbyes.
• Unique dynamic: The street cops are always eyeing a move up to Voight’s elite unit, but only the ones who can handle his 'management style' actually last.
• Main drama: Atwater’s relationship turmoil, crossroad moments, and now his impending exit—right as the Intelligence Unit prepares for another shake-up.