From the beginning, Chicago PD has always operated with a smaller core ensemble than its sister series Chicago Fire and Chicago Med by design. Like most police dramas, the series features a small but mighty core unit of officers working to keep the city they call home safe, who often are supported by recurring and guest characters popping up as part of the character-of-the-week storylines.
Because of its smaller ensemble, when changes have occurred over the years, they always feel magnified on Chicago PD. The departure of a beloved series regular or the addition of a new cast member really shakes things up on Chicago PD, as the ensemble is smaller in size, so it becomes more noticeable when a piece of the puzzle goes missing or a new ingredient is added just when the show has perfected its recipe for success. This is a sentiment that again rings true of Chicago PD season 14.
Although Chicago PD will not be undergoing cast shakeups at the same scale as its sister series, which are seeing influxes of new additions and cast departures, the smallest of the One Chicago ensembles is about to undergo some changes in the season ahead.
Chicago PD is losing an original cast member in season 14 and likely a key recurring character
Most of Chicago PD’s cast will be back for season 14, but the show is saying goodbye to original star LaRoyce Hawkins in the second episode of the season. Hawkins has been an integral part of the Chicago PD formula since the very beginning, having originated the role of Officer Kevin Atwater in the very first episode of the show.
Atwater is a fan favorite, and Hawkins is a beloved figure not only on the show but within the Chicago community, which is what makes his departure from the show hurt that much more. He’s been with the show through so many highs and lows, and his exit could not have come at a worse time, as the show had just introduced a major personal development for Atwater.
Season 13 saw Atwater reconnect with Tasha Fox, a friend from the police academy. The pair quickly hit it off after reuniting on the job and their passionate night together before Tasha’s move to Miami led to an unexpected pregnancy. While neither had prepared for their night together to lead to them becoming parents, the pair agreed there was nothing they wanted more than to have the child and raise it together. We saw the pair put a plan in place to raise the baby in Chicago, and fans were thrilled by the idea of getting to see Atwater and Tasha tackle parenting together. Sadly, though, this is a journey we will not get to see due to Hawkins’ exit, and his exit is not the only departure likely ahead.
While it has not been officially confirmed, the expectation is that Karen Obilom, who plays Tasha, will also be exiting the show timed to Hawkins’ final episode. This certainly makes sense, as we can’t imagine the show keeping Tasha around once Atwater has been written out of the show, but that doesn’t make the sting of losing Obilom in addition to Hawkins any less painful.
Who’s returning as part of the Chicago PD season 14 cast?
Although the show will be suffering a major loss with the departure of LaRoyce Hawkins, the one silver lining is that Hawkins is the only series regular exiting the show in season 14. It’s hard to celebrate this as we hate to lose Hawkins, but the good news is that the rest of the season 13 series regular cast will be returning for season 14.
The Chicago PD season 14 series regular cast includes:
- Jason Beghe as Hank Voight
- Marina Squerciati as Kim Burgess
- Patrick John Flueger as Adam Ruzek
- Amy Morton as Trudy Platt
- Benjamin Levy Aguilar as Dante Torres
- Arienne Mandi as Eva Imani
It’s expected that, in addition to the series regular cast, we will get to see some familiar recurring characters back in the mix as well, including Ramona Edith Williams as Makayla Ward and Selin Çuhadaroglu as Shari Imani.
We also know that the show is looking to bring in a new series regular to replace Hawkins, with the show reportedly casting a Black actor whose character is described as an “agent of chaos.” No casting announcements have been made, nor has it been revealed when this new character will be added to the cast, but we do know his introduction will come after Hawkins’ departure from the show.
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