Chicago PD fans are perplexed by Patrick John Flueger's new hair color

Adam Ruzek has a lot on his plate. The character was forced to stand by and watch while his peer, Emily Martel (Victoria Cartagena), was gunned down in the line of duty. He was also forced to learn that his fiancee, Kim Burgess (Marina Squerciati), risked her career to protect another IU member.

The main thing that has Chicago PD fans perplexed about Ruzek, though, is his hair. The character has been a brunette for the entirety of the show, and yet, he showed up in the season 12 premiere rocking a dirty blond look. What gives? There hasn't been any mention of the how and why of it all, despite it being a notable change.

Adam Ruzek debuted a blond look in season 12

Flueger may have been a brunette for the first decade plus of Chicago PD, but the actor was actually blond for most of his youth. The actor's early screen roles showcase a dirty blond look. You can see for yourself in films like The World's Fastest Indian (2005) opposite Anthony Hopkins and Footloose (2011) opposite Kenny Wormald.

Flueger's blond hair actually sparked a semi viral moment on Instagram. The actor posted a photo of himself alongside his grandfather in the 1990s. He can be seen with bleach blond highlights in his hair which many followers liked to the boy band style of the era.

Flueger has also dyed his hair for roles. He made his film debut in the Disney classic The Princess Diaries (2001), and in it he played an eccentric high schooler with bright red hair. He's been through it all, but in truth, there's no narrative reason as to why his hair is blond in the current season of Chicago PD.

Patrick John Flueger was blond as a teenager

The actor's appearance has changed gradually over the years, whether it be facial hair or hair color, and based on the fact that Flueger does not have outside film/television roles to prepare for, we are inclined to believe that he simply decided to alter the color of his hair in his personal life.

Flueger's unexpected hair change was hilariously foreshadowed in a behind-the-scenes video that was recently unearthed. Flueger can be seen making the crew crack up while rocking an outlandish blond wig. Jesse Lee Soffer can be see onscreen while the actor hams it up.

We're grateful the actor didn't go the full, long haired rocker look. The real question is gonna be whether Ruzek keeps the blond look going in future seasons. Time, as always, will tell.