Home / Arts and Entertainment / Chicago P.D. Says Goodbye to Atwater Amidst New Family Joy
Chicago P.D. Says Goodbye to Atwater Amidst New Family Joy
8 Oct
Summary
- Kevin Atwater becomes a father, a pivotal moment before his departure.
- Showrunner confirms viewers will see Atwater's newborn on screen soon.
- Jesse Lee Soffer returns to direct Atwater's emotional farewell episode.
The latest season of Chicago P.D. has centered on the departure of Kevin Atwater, a character portrayed by LaRoyce Hawkins since the series began in 2014. This season's premiere featured Atwater receiving a call that his girlfriend, Tasha Fox, was in labor. Showrunner Gwen Sigan revealed that the audience will witness Atwater meeting his newborn child and experiencing this significant life change.
Sigan further elaborated that Atwater's transition into fatherhood, especially after raising his siblings, marks a "pivotal moment." The show aims to explore both the joys and stresses of this new chapter. The decision to write Atwater off the show was described as organic, stemming from his character entering this new phase of life.
Adding to the emotional weight of Atwater's exit, former cast member Jesse Lee Soffer, who played Jay Halstead, returned to direct the farewell episode. Sigan expressed gratitude for Soffer's involvement, hoping the dedication and love put into the episode would resonate with viewers. Atwater's departure follows Tasha's decision to move to Chicago, aiming to co-parent their child.
Fellow cast member Marina Squerciati, who plays Kim Burgess, expressed her sadness over Hawkins' departure, calling him a "ride or die buddy." She noted the difficulty of losing a close-knit group on the show, emphasizing how much Atwater's presence will be missed.
