Chicago PD likes to move the focus around more often than its One Chicago peers. It's a strength of the show, in that we get different perspectives and different dynamics from week to week, but it also means that it can be a while before the show gets around to your favorite character.
Kevin Atwater (LaRoyce Hawkins) has suffered from this system in season 12. The character has been present for major events like the fall finale and the One Chicago crossover, but he has been almost exclusively background. That's going to change in the second half of the season.
Kevin Atwater will be the focus of "Street Jesus"
The synopsis for the upcoming Chicago PD episode, "Street Jesus," will focus on Atwater and his conflict of interest in the field. The officer has been working hard to get a community center off the ground, but a burgeoning gang war will pose a threat to this goal.
The promo confirms that Atwater will try to downplay the severity of the gang war in an effort to maintain the rollout for the community center. His poker face doesn't prove as effective as he would want, though, as he's immediately pressed by Adam Ruzek (Patrick John Flueger) and asked what's wrong.
It's a dicey situation, but one that will give Atwater (and by extension, Hawkins, plenty of screen time to shine). The good news is that the Atwater content doesn't stop there. PD showrunner Gwen Sigan confirmed that the veteran officer will get more stories involving his recent love interest, Val (Natalee Linez).
The character's love life will also resurface
"We get to see that relationship and what that looks like and how it morphs," Sigan told TV Line. She also noted that the relationship is going to transform from more of a casual set up to something that could give the Burzek romance a run for its money.
"Now the question is, 'Can that sustain? Is that the most long-term situation?," the showrunner said. "So we get to see that relationship morph quite a bit over the next few episodes for Atwater. " Plus, it will give Atwater a chance for some in-depth conversations with Kim Burgess (Marina Squerciati).
The two officers have always been close, and Gwen Sigan describes Burgess as his "confidante" as he attempts to navigate unfamiliar waters. "He’s not being too open with everyone else on the team about what’s going on," the showrunner noted. "But she is pressing him to be, so he ends up opening up to her."
Atwater fans rejoice, because you are going to thoroughly entertained by what's to come.