One Chicago Podcast – LaRoyce Hawkins (Kevin Atwater on Chicago P.D.)

Date: October 2, 2025
Host: Brian Luce
Guest: LaRoyce Hawkins (Kevin Atwater on Chicago P.D.), with cameo from Ariane Mandy (Officer Eva Amani)

Episode Overview

This episode of the One Chicago Podcast offers a behind-the-scenes, heartfelt, and often humorous look at LaRoyce Hawkins’ journey as Kevin Atwater on Chicago P.D. Host and former Chicago cop Brian Luce dives into thirteen years of stories, character development, the moral complexity of portraying a Black police officer, and real-life experiences that have shaped Hawkins’ performance. There’s an emphasis on authenticity, community, and the show’s unique space in the police procedural genre. The episode also introduces new cast member Ariane Mandy and explores the dynamic, supportive off-camera culture of the Chicago P.D. cast.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. LaRoyce’s Choice: Chicago P.D. over Ballers

• Backstory: LaRoyce was offered a series regular role on HBO’s Ballers but called Brian Luce for advice and ultimately picked Chicago P.D.
  • “You turned around and you put all the chips on the police horse. And here we are grinning and giggling… 13 seasons deep.” (Brian, 06:09–06:19)
• Decision’s Meaning: Staying home, betting on community, and embodying Chicago authenticity.

2. Real-Life Background & Community Ties

• Harvey, IL Roots: LaRoyce discusses growing up in Harvey, a Chicago suburb, and how it informs his portrayal of Atwater.
  • “Growing up from where I’m from, just being who I am, my family and my friends... the fact that I'm able to pour into Atwater what I know has allowed Atwater to kinda light up.” (LaRoyce, 00:32 & 34:14)
• Relatable Moments: Moving from Harvey (“I never thought about moving… I guess I could move downtown, you know what I'm saying? But couldn't come back.” (09:13–10:17)) and the influence of his family (“My grandfather's still alive… he’s so stable, right. And so grounded, and I think I was looking for that.” *(11:23))

3. Navigating Race, Policing, and Role Complexity

• Playing a Black Cop: LaRoyce was initially wary of playing police due to community distrust, but saw it as an opportunity to bridge cultures.
  • “If I can play a police officer that people can respect, that can wear blue and still be black… to be the bridge between cultures, eventually that bridge builder would be extremely important as the seasons progress.” (LaRoyce, 07:57–08:41)
• Personal Story: Shares a powerful memory of being wrongly detained by police as a teenager, highlighting the real-life emotions fueling his work.
  • “My whole life flashed before my eyes. I get straight to the ground and I’m doing everything they told me to do… Just don’t shoot me.” (20:19–20:45)

4. Authenticity and Mentorship—On and Off Set

• Technical & Emotional Training: Early on, Brian Luce supplied Hawkins with ride-alongs and technical support but emphasized that the humanity of a cop had to come from within.
  • “You teach us very good how to be technical and mechanical with the guns… But every cop is a human on the inside. And so the human stuff we have to pull on our own.” (02:43 & 22:15–23:05)
• Ride-Alongs: Before Hawkins was famous, he joined real police for undercover busts; these moments led to community relationships that extended beyond the show. (15:31–17:42)

5. Atwater’s Role and Growth in the Series

• Evolving Character: Atwater started as a guy on the block but evolved into a respected squad member and mentor.
  • “When you consider everything he’s been through and now he’s one of the players on this elite squad that every other cop in the district respects... that's the parallel that I enjoy the most.” (32:16–33:16)
• Pouring LaRoyce into Atwater: His real background shapes Atwater’s authenticity.
  • “The best thing you could do with the character Atwater is keep as much Laroi as you can inside that guy.” (34:38–34:50)

6. Key Scenes & Representation

• Defining Moments: Hawkins highlights scenes addressing racial friction and police-community relationships, especially with his partner Ruzek (“Ruse”).
  • Memorable scene: Atwater refuses to force a Black man to his knees in front of his child, knowing the deeper cultural pain it represents. (23:18–25:51)
• Why These Moments Matter: “It makes us closer to the community… brought Black people closer to the show.” (25:20–25:51)

7. Handling Moral Gray Areas and "Street Jesus"

• Portraying Conflict: Discusses working through scripts with repeated racial tension.
  • “If you feel like racism isn’t over, or if you feel like that conversation is behind us, then we can never go forward.” (29:04–30:51)
• Leaning Into Nuance: Values the show’s willingness to “run these [difficult] moments back,” and how these conversations lead to both personal and narrative growth.

8. Influences, Fun Behind the Scenes, and Rapid Fire

• Cop Influences: Not a big cop-show fan growing up. Main influence: Carl Winslow from Family Matters, especially for representing family and community. (35:42–36:59)
• Defining Atwater: The “got a guy” moment at Molly’s defines Atwater’s role as a connector with deep community roots. (37:12–38:19)
• On-Screen Romance: Hawkins enjoys exploring Atwater’s romantic and vulnerable sides (“Valerie/Val Soto” storyline).
• Behind the Scenes: The cast genuinely cares for each other. Example: Co-stars drove to meet Hawkins’ son right after he was born. (40:23–40:54)

9. New Season, New Characters, and Advice to Fans

• New Additions: Brief chat with Ariane Mandy (Officer Eva Amani) about jumping into the action on her first days, training with the cast, and blending into the show’s rhythm.
  • “Once you know, you get thrown in, like the deep end, right away you’re like, wait. Everything else is just easy water...” (02:13–02:18, 48:21–48:31)
• Season Tone: Cast stresses “buckle up” – this season brings more action, new faces, and evolving stories. (48:46–48:52)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Character & Realness:

  “If I can play a police officer that people can respect, that can wear blue and still be black, to make the culture proud, but also be the bridge between the cultures...”
  – LaRoyce Hawkins (08:05)

• On Impact:

  “Sometimes that’s a greater compliment than from the cops who say, you really inspired me on the outside.”
  – LaRoyce Hawkins (13:46)

• On On-Screen Brotherhood:

  “You and Ruse are the best love relationship we have.”
  – Brian Luce (23:05)

• On Atwater’s Heart:

  “The best thing you could do with the character Atwater is keep as much Laroi as you can inside that guy.”
  – Brian Luce (34:38)

• On What Sets PD Apart:

  “The way that you’re able to get into everybody’s head…so we can tell a story that respects cops and respects Chicago… and the offender.”
  – LaRoyce Hawkins & Brian Luce (39:41–40:02)

• On Favorite Cop Character:

  “If I had to identify a cop [I looked up to], it would probably be Carl Winslow from Family Matters with Steve Urkel.”
  – LaRoyce Hawkins (35:42)

• LaRoyce’s Atwater-Inspired Poem (Open Mic Undercover):

  “To the honeys and the money, either way, we save em. Undercover Kev mode 5021 David. Copy that. Shots fired in the basement… White women making statements but black mothers make arrangements the blue lights make them all famous I pray that we could trade places...”
  (44:43–45:21)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Choosing P.D. / Early Career: 04:44–07:45
• Portrayal of a Black Cop: 07:45–08:41
• Harvey, Chicago Roots: 08:41–10:17
• Being Cast on P.D.: 10:17–12:21
• Cultural and Police Tension: 13:27–14:33
• Ride-Along Stories & Community: 15:31–18:35
• Personal Experience with Police: 20:19–22:15
• Defining Scene w/ Ruzek: 23:05–25:51
• On-screen Romance/Valerie: 38:19–39:16
• On Atwater’s Growth: 32:16–33:16
• Behind the Scenes Family: 40:23–40:54
• Ariane Mandy Interview: 46:01–48:52
• Atwater Undercover Poem: 44:43–45:21

Conclusion & Overall Tone

This conversation radiates heart, humor, authenticity, and respect – both for the city of Chicago and for the complexities of the police-community relationship. Hawkins and Luce examine the weight and opportunity in portraying a Black policeman, credit the show’s success to openness, real emotion, and the real-life connections that shape Chicago P.D.’s stories. The behind-the-scenes camaraderie and stories of growth, alongside nods to new blood like Ariane Mandy, illustrate why the series continues to resonate so deeply with fans.

For more, tune in to the One Chicago Podcast every Thursday and catch Chicago P.D. on NBC and Peacock.