LaRoyce Hawkins Spends Thanksgivings with This P.D. Co-Star's Family: "Since Day One"
The Chicago P.D. crew are family on and off-screen.
The cast of Chicago P.D. is truly like a family, and that means celebrating life milestones and holidays together. In a recent interview, star LaRoyce Hawkins, who has played Officer Kevin Atwater for 12 seasons, opened up about the strong bonds he's made with his co-workers, and the sweet memories they share.
Why LaRoyce Hawkins spends Thanksgiving in Red Wing, Minnesota
"Me and Patty [Patrick John Flueger who plays Officer Adam Ruzek] have been like brothers since day one," Hawkins revealed to The Hollywood Reporter in February 2025. "I visit the Fluegers in Red Wing on Thanksgivings and they have adopted me, saying I am their only Black child, which is dope!"
He added that he feels a special connection with another co-star with whom he's bonded over having kids. "Me and [Detective Kim] Burgess [played by Marina Squerciati] experienced parenthood around the same time. My son is only a week older than her daughter, and that’s the connection you can’t pay for," he said.
He also expressed that he's recently grown closer to Jason Beghe, who plays Sergeant Hank Voight. "I love the way we communicate now. He has been teaching me a lot. And he is hard on me too, which I appreciate. I haven’t had that kind of attention — which I think is necessary for a young brother coming up in this type of game."
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Hawkins loves living in his hometown of Chicago
Fortunately for Hawkins, he doesn't have to choose between time with his work family and time with his family-family, since he grew up in Chicago, where the show shoots. "I can still go to my grandmother’s house and touch my grandparents. I can still go to my old high school and tap into a classroom. It feels like family with my close friends all around all the time," he said, adding that he considers his co-stars just as important to him: "I don’t know a group of people who I am closer to, to be honest with you. I learn so much from all of them.
Hawkins is leaning into the darkness
Despite the close bonds on set and his love for his city, Hawkins admitted that Chicago P.D. is, well, a pretty dramatic show. Luckily, his background in comedy helps him find balance.
"What I’ve learned from the show is how to really embrace that darkness. Because that’s the only way you can appreciate the light. And I think it works vice-versa. I think the light I was naturally gifted with is what helps me recognize darkness. I appreciate the skillset from my stand-up background because of the timing...I don’t turn off my comedy brain just because I’m doing drama. I filter what I need, and you hope for the best," he explained.
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His "brother" agreed. "The funny thing is that, with all the darkness, we goof around the whole time," Flueger told The Hollywood Reporter in a different interview. "Everyone is so serious, but at the same time, we goof around. Every set says, 'We're a family, we're a family.' I'll tell you what: we are a family! Our crew works so hard; they're there for such long hours that, if we didn't goof around, I don't know how it would be survivable."
