LaRoyce Hawkins (Kevin Atwater on Chicago P.D.)

Summary

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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)

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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.

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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)

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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)

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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

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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.

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

Transcript

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[Larois Hawkins]

Growing up from where I'm from, just being who I am, my family and my friends. And so the fact that I'm able to pour into Atwater what I know has allowed Atwater to kinda light up.

[Brian Lucci]

Hey, I'm Brian Lucci, and welcome to the official One Chicago podcast. Last night, we kicked off an incredible new season of Chicago Fire, Chicago PD and Chicago Med.

[Larois Hawkins]

And.

[Brian Lucci]

And I gotta say, it feels amazing to be back. Everyone, everyone calm down. We've been working super hard getting everything ready for you fans. And last night, things went off with a ba bang over on fire. They're really feeling that heat with all those budget cuts spreading them dangerously thin. And I know you caught that kick ass runaway car stunt pulled off by our friends the Lafevers. And over on Med, they're dealing with their own little house fires. And oh, boy, let me tell you, I think we can all agree there's gonna be some lovely drama brewing over Hannah's baby. As for my squad, ipd, how excited are you that Voight got the unit back?

[Larois Hawkins]

So what?

[Brian Lucci]

He used a little blackmail to make it happen? Don't be hating on him. That's just how the Sarge rolls. But you gotta admit, he was cold hard killin it in that uniform. And I'm happier than a tick on a fat dog. We're back in action, baby. We got a bunch more where that came from, including some exciting stuff with some new characters that you met last night. Later on in the pod, I'll hook you up with one of them. Ariane Mandy. She plays Officer Eva Mani, who you just met in the PD premiere.

[Ariane Mandy]

Once you know, you get thrown in, like the deep end, right away you're like, wait. Everything else is just easy water from here on out.

[Brian Lucci]

But as we look ahead to this new season, I wanted to share a conversation I had a few weeks ago with one of my favorite coppers on pd. He's larger than life, strikingly handsome, one big cuddly bear, and I love him to pieces. This man grew up just outside the city, but he eats, sleeps and breeds Chicago. And he truly gets to the heart and soul of what makes our shows feel so real.

[Larois Hawkins]

You teach us very good how to be technical and mechanical with the guns. We're clearing rooms when it comes to, like, that cop stuff, but every cop is a human on the inside. And so the human stuff we have to pull on our own.

[Brian Lucci]

So let's get into it with the one, the only Leroy Hawkins, better known as Officer Kevin Atwater. Coming up next after a quick break. Stay with us.

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[Larois Hawkins]

Hi.

[Brian Lucci]

I'm Brian Lucci and this is the One Chicago Podcast today. I'm extremely lucky to be with my good friend Laroise Hawkins, AKA Ro.

[Larois Hawkins]

How we doing?

[Brian Lucci]

I don't want to get long winded, but I think a good way to kick this off is I remember 13 years ago you gave me a call and this was right after the pilot kicked off. You called me out of the blue and you were like, Luch, man, you think this thing's gonna go? And you told me, you know, I know you're out there in LA and you were kicking with the big people. And I'm like, yeah, but, you know, they asked me a million questions. I says, what I could tell you about Larois. Is this everything about Laroi says Chicago, hell, it screams it. He's a depiction of Chicago, you know, the south side, the north side. Like everybody that I ever grew up with, he's got this big, huge heart of gold. I'll get him there with the gun. I'll get him there searching. We'll get there. But just know, like, he's me. And what was so cool about that phone call was you weren't calling to, like, try to get information. You were calling for a much, much bigger reason. And what people don't know is you were set to be a seasoned regular on Ballers. Am I right?

[Larois Hawkins]

Right. Right.

[Brian Lucci]

So you're going to go to hbo. Brand new in this kind of business.

[Jack Daniels Announcer]

Right.

[Brian Lucci]

You had a chance to be a seasoned regular on Ballers with the Rock, and you were like, luch, man, I don't know what to do. We didn't have a lot of chips back then. God knows that. We had no money.

[Larois Hawkins]

We were rubbing nickels together for show.

[Brian Lucci]

And you turned around and you put, you put all the chips on the police horse. And here we are grinning and giggling and, you know, we did it right.

[Larois Hawkins]

You know, 13 seasons deep.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah.

[Larois Hawkins]

I think the best part about that conversation was the allure of being on Ballers with the Rock playing a football player. It was high octane kind of energy, you know what I mean? And I think my young mind was ready for that. But to be honest with you, the most important conversation you and I had was even before that call was when we met. And remember, you came through and you helped me in wheelhigh with the gun. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. Once upon a time, there was a wheel hike. Yeah, it got me. And I remember.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Larois Hawkins]

And you pulled up on both of us. And her and I had just met. We had just met you and they threw you in the room with us to, you know, give us a quick tutorial, tips for Luch, and you start unpacking these stories. And I'm from Harvey, where the average young mind growing up in that neighborhood doesn't trust the police. We just a lot more locked in with big homies on the block and our own friends and family and the police officers are opposition to us most of the time. Understandable.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah.

[Larois Hawkins]

And so, you know, I understood the unpopular decision. It would be being the police or a football player. And I didn't have experience either way. Let the records know. My grandma didn't let me play football, so I would have been really. I was acting regardless.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah.

[Larois Hawkins]

But you sold me on the heart.

[Brian Lucci]

Thank you.

[Larois Hawkins]

You sold me on the soul piece. I watched you tell us these stories, and there would be moments where tears will fall from your eyes involuntarily, and you wouldn't break stride.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah.

[Larois Hawkins]

Telling the stories about the undercover missions that you've been a part of or the young. The young people that you did your best to save and lost their lives and your protection, the parents that you had to have conversations with. You know what I mean? Just all those tough moments. And I was like, wow, this is an opportunity to really tie the knot between cultures. I'm like, 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, eventually that bridge builder would be extremely important as the seasons will progress. But that seed was planted for me to be able to do that. Because of your authenticity.

[Brian Lucci]

For those people that aren't from Chicago, we talk about Harvey a lot, which is Laroise. You're born and raised there, right?

[Larois Hawkins]

Born and raised in Harvey.

[Brian Lucci]

Born and raised in Harvey. That's on the south side of Chicago. And how far up. How far up do we go?

[Larois Hawkins]

It. It's about 159th. 167. 150.

[Brian Lucci]

967. So suburb of Chicago.

[Larois Hawkins]

Yep, Yep. Suburb.

[Brian Lucci]

Down on the tips, there's nicknames. The low end for the, like, the low numbers in Chicago. There's the wild hundreds, and then there's Harvey, where you're from.

[Larois Hawkins]

But.

[Brian Lucci]

But you spend most of your time. I mean, you grew up in Harvey, but a lot of your time's in Chicago too.

[Larois Hawkins]

Yeah, now it is. Ever since I've been on the show.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah.

[Larois Hawkins]

You know, I moved outta Harvey probably around season two. And I never forget having that conversation with Big Bro, who you met and we all love. And Big Bro said, well, if you go on road, you can't come back. Really? He said, you can't come back. So make sure you ready to go when you leave, because you can always come home. Right.

[Brian Lucci]

Right about you.

[Larois Hawkins]

But as you growing and progressing. And so I'll never forget that conversation with Big Bro. And he's made sure that we've been able to maintain as a family. And so when I go back, it's naturally by choice, so that we can take care of people, so that we can make sure that everybody's good. My grandma is still there. Naturally, dad still lives in the area. But, yeah, yeah, that was a big day for me to move out of Harvey. Because the whole first season, whatever little couple dollars I was getting, I was throwing them on hotels for a couple weeks at a time. And my homies were like, yo, bro, why don't you just move downtown? And to me, it was almost like a foreign thought. You know what I mean? It's like you never thought about moving. I guess I could move downtown, you know what I'm saying? But couldn't come back.

[Brian Lucci]

All right, you've been on PD since the very beginning. Can you take us back to first joining the show? And what was it like getting the.

[Larois Hawkins]

Call at that time? It was almost like prayers had been answered. Cause prior to getting the call, I felt something. I felt like something was on the way. I think I had just turned 25.

[Brian Lucci]

Ooh, wow.

[Larois Hawkins]

Like, every night I would go to sleep, and I have this feeling like tomorrow might be the day.

[Brian Lucci]

And were there auditions that you were doing before that?

[Larois Hawkins]

It was auditions I was doing. I was gigging. You know, I started in stand up, so I was doing a lot of comedy. I was doing a lot of poetry. I was hosting random stuff. Bachelorette parties, baby showers. I was just doing whatever I could to find an audience and to perfect my craft. I'm just an entertainer. Obviously, I had some acting chops, but it wasn't until Chicago PD Where I would really learn how to act at a high level. Thank God for this cast, because I've been able to learn so much from them. And then we have certain directors that have pulled up and taught us so much. I've watched you learn it too. Oh, man. We both kind of learned the business.

[Brian Lucci]

I didn't know nothing.

[Larois Hawkins]

My grandfather's still alive. Grappa John and Grappa John. For years, I've watched him just take care of the family. You know what I'm saying? Emergencies. He's the first one that we know is gonna pull up, and he's gonna save the day. Not just financially, but also emotionally. He's so stable, right. And so grounded, and I think I was looking for that. When I got that call, I saw myself as the new Grappa John in my family. I was like, I have the opportunity now to earn a living and ground myself so that I can protect my family.

[Brian Lucci]

And not just monetarily, either.

[Larois Hawkins]

Right. I knew that I would have the opportunity to be an example to my family and my community of what hard work looks like, of how doing the right thing when nobody's looking can pay off. You know what I mean?

[Brian Lucci]

And being a good person. Okay, here's a question. Is it cool to be working in your hometown of Chicago or is it kind of a pain in the ass because people are messing with you?

[Larois Hawkins]

This is a little bit of both. But it's mostly cool. It's mostly cool.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Larois Hawkins]

Because this is where I feel the most comfortable. This is where I feel, you know, protected. I still got a lot of loved ones here. They take the character personally, you know what I mean? And that kind of care and comfort I don't think you can get anywhere else. You know, I wouldn't feel as protected and thoughtful. Plus, kind of tucked up, the business can get interesting. And so being at home and just being. Having. There's lovers and haters, it's lovers and haters, but it's mostly lovers at home, you know what I mean? And the fact that I can go to my grandma's house, have a home cooked meal after a long day of shooting, you know what I'm saying?

[Brian Lucci]

That goes so far, I know, with me, you know, being the police, like sometimes they'll be like, oh, man, you didn't get it right this time. Living in Chicago and working, like I'm not an actor, but like, I'm trying, you know, So I have all these state attorneys that I respect and judges that I respect and coppers that are respected, but they'll hand me my ass when I get it wrong. I was just wondering, like you said, being an African American guy playing the police and then playing the police in Chicago, they're right here to let you know.

[Larois Hawkins]

But that's the best part too. That's the other side of it, is the character that I play, it's not just working at a high level at home, but to be a black cop, you know what I mean? And for me to be able to still be tapped in with certain people who I grew up with who went a different direction, you know what I mean?

[Brian Lucci]

For whatever reason.

[Larois Hawkins]

For whatever reason. Yeah, yeah. But the role has been able to inspire those people. I went to school with some people who ended up getting locked up. And I see them on the way out and they like, man, man, you really inspired me when I was inside. And sometimes that's a greater compliment than from the cops who say, you really inspired me on the outside. But I have Some friends who made some bad decisions had to do that time. And they were like. While I was in there, to be.

[Brian Lucci]

Able to see you, they were walking.

[Larois Hawkins]

And, man, not only were they watching, they had the whole penitentiary watching everything. Slow down with Chicago pd. Come on, we gotta watch my boy. Think about what this white man did and how the next black kid is gonna look at you the next time you go out there. I know, I know. But I'm not doing this with you right now. Why not?

[Lowe's Announcer]

Why not?

[Larois Hawkins]

We here, we might as well. We done been shot at, chased down, all while protecting the white cop that killed the black kid. And I gotta live with that. Why not you? I gotta be angry. Why not you?

[Brian Lucci]

Earlier we were talking about, like, there's only so much like, I can give each actor. And I know when I could only go to where I could go. But I always. I coined the phrase, you know, I'm rich in friendship, working police, real police could call anywhere and have some guys. And with you, I knew in my heart, like, I don't know what it's like to be a black policeman, to work in a white community, or being in a black policeman working a black community. But mostly it was because you asked me. You were like, luch, you got to hook me up, man. And the guys I've hooked you up with are guys that are like kind of legends on the job that are. That are good policemen. And there's assholes, you know, there's jerk policemen gonna get a rotten egg and a dozen, you know? Yeah, yeah, yeah. So those guys that you hooked up with, did you go on ride alongs?

[Larois Hawkins]

Yeah, early, early on. Early, early, early, you know, before anybody could recognize me. It's hard to do a ride along now.

[Brian Lucci]

Right, right, right. They know you.

[Larois Hawkins]

But once upon a time, you could do a ride along easy. And I never forget doing this undercover drug bust once upon a time, you know, I said shotgun. And I saw everything firsthand. And it was cold. And me and that officer, I won't say his name. Cause he works at undercover complex, right? We still tight? And what's funny is, like, I'm like a little brother to him. And we might see each other on the street. I can still call him. I've had to call him and have him, you know, check my six a few times just in case. And he's always pulled up. But it was one particular time. It was love this. It was. Honestly, it was like after work. And there was this wine shop at this house I used to live on in the West Loop. So I go to the wine shop, and I see him in there, or.

[Brian Lucci]

He may be working.

[Larois Hawkins]

I see him in there, and he in there with some brothers that's, you know, some tough talking, you know what I'm saying? From around the way. And I could just tell by their energy, they from the west side, and they just got these chips on their shoulders. But he in there fellowshipping with them. And I walk in and he noticed me and we dapped up. And I'll never forget when all of a sudden, he got a call, he had to leave. So I text him, I'm still there with the homies.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah, he was straight.

[Larois Hawkins]

And I text him, I'm like, yo, I got your six. If you need anything, I'm gonna be right here. He was like, bro, what you talking about? I was like, I know, I know, I know. You can't say much and you don't gotta tell me anything. Just understand that if you working, however you need me, I'm in the pocket. Cause you done taught me a lot, you know what I'm saying? Plus, I'm fresh off work, so I'm still in mold. Yeah, you got mold in you, so I'm in there. So I started working them before I know it. Now, me and these brothers are extra tight. They support me coming onto my shows. You know, I see their kids off of prom. You know what I'm saying? But by the time we all unpacked everything and how we all know each other, everybody was rolling. Cause now it's hilarious.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Larois Hawkins]

Because I wasn't sure if he was working them. You were going to work, you know what I'm saying? I went in to work with him, man. So we have those moments sometimes, and it's cool, but it only builds to your point. Community. It only enhances the community.

[Brian Lucci]

You see what you said, you walked in with this premise that these guys were these tough guys from the west side. He ended up being home teams with you. They become friends. You've seen the beauty in them.

[Larois Hawkins]

Yeah.

[Brian Lucci]

You know what I mean? I remember the first time I seen Eric la. I was like, man, look at this guy. He looks like a mean prick now. I love him. I kiss him on the cheek. I was on the phone with him.

[Larois Hawkins]

Today for an hour. You know what I mean?

[Brian Lucci]

Like, that's my guy. But when I first seen him, man.

[Larois Hawkins]

Sometimes it's hard to say.

[Brian Lucci]

He don't look nothing like. Like, nice. And you were ready to do some undercover work?

[Larois Hawkins]

Yeah. Yep, yep. And so when you find yourself on the Battlefield with people at any capacity, whether you're working or you working. You know what I mean? Yeah, yeah. You get to know people for who they are. And that's one of my favorite things about this job. Because like I said, I didn't grow up respecting cops or wanting to get to know cops. And I see cops doing their jobs and doing their best. You know that there's actually a real person in there. It's one of the coldest things you ever told me is that everybody wants to go home at night.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Larois Hawkins]

But it was only my personal experience that made me think what I thought. That makes me a little hesitant. Once upon a time when I almost could have. You know, when we were thinking about this role that I'll never forget. I was a junior in high school, and I wasn't up to no good, but I was a little silly, I think. My little sister just had a birthday party, and the balloons were still on the ceiling from the helium. But me and my little brother, we wiped out the helium from the balloons so we can sing the Temptations like the Chipmunks. You know what I'm saying? So we singing the Temptations like the Chipmunks, enjoying ourselves. All of a sudden, my mama wants me to take out the garb. So I'm like, all right, cool. I'll take out the garbage on my way back in the house. Had to be the helium. Her little sister's bike. Started talking to me, said, ride me. Just get on and ride me. Take me for a ride. I'm like, no, you. My little sister's bike. I can't get over you. I can't do that. I get on the bike. I'm in Chuck Taylor's leopard print smiley face drawers and a tall white tee. I get on that bike, and I'm enjoying the breeze. My best partner at the time, name was Bobblehead. He was outside. Bobblehead. Bobblehead. We called him Bobblehead cause he had a long neck, big head. He ran track. It was a thing. So Bobblehead's outside, and he sees me, and he like, bro, what you doing on the bike? I'm like, man, bro. Something told me to just get on, bro, but I'm enjoying myself. We talked for a little bit, but the bike was slowing me down. I realized I'd been outside for too long. So I'm like, bro, let me leave the bike here. I pick it up on the way to school in the morning. I'm just about to run home. So I run home all of a Sudden, the paddy wagon come out of nowhere, flashing the lights. Harvey police come out. Get down, get down, get down. Luch. I have no reason to believe they weren't gonna shoot me. Right?

[Brian Lucci]

Right.

[Larois Hawkins]

I was running. It's dark. And we in Harvey. I'm black. My whole life flashed before my eyes. I get straight to the ground and I'm doing everything they told me to do. They asking me all kind of questions. We where your pants at?

[Brian Lucci]

Where you coming from?

[Larois Hawkins]

What was you doing outside? And I'm trying to answer as quickly as I can. Everybody asks me a question at the same time. I'm just nervous. I'm like, just don't shoot me. Whatever you do, don't shoot me.

[Brian Lucci]

Don't shoot me.

[Larois Hawkins]

Take me wherever you want, but don't shoot me. I can explain myself later. They handcuff me, put me in a paddy wagon. I'm in there by myself, just a whole paddy wagon, just to myself. And they drive up a block. I don't know what's going on or what happened. Police officers, out of nowhere, they start flashing their lights on the inside. I can hear em laughing. Cause like I said, I'm in my drawers.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah, you're in your drawers.

[Larois Hawkins]

But they laughing. I can hear em back there talking. They'll open the door every now and then, ask me some questions.

[Brian Lucci]

How old are you at the time?

[Larois Hawkins]

I'm a junior in high school.

[Experian Announcer]

Oh, my God.

[Larois Hawkins]

So all of a sudden, a little homie of mine, who was my little brother's friend, they open the door and I see him, and he looks at me, basically identifies me, said, no, that's Lamar's brother. It wasn't him. His house had just been robbed.

[Brian Lucci]

So they thought you were running away?

[Larois Hawkins]

They thought I was running away. And so by the time we had cleared everything up, you know what I'm saying? Extra relief.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah.

[Larois Hawkins]

Yeah. So the cops, they turn around, my house ain't that far. And I just asked the police officer if he can walk me to my mom's door and let my mama know what's been going on. At this point, it's way past midnight. He said, no problem. He dropped me off right there in the middle of my lawn. He said, I'm about to go get some paperwork and I'll meet you at the door. Gets in, the cop pulls off, does a U turn. Never seen him again in my life.

[Brian Lucci]

Oh, that was a rat move.

[Larois Hawkins]

Yeah. And at that point, I was like, damn, I can't trust cops.

[Brian Lucci]

No. All he has to do, he didn't say Sorry.

[Larois Hawkins]

He didn't say sorry. Oh, he didn't say.

[Brian Lucci]

No, listen, we had a. Yeah, we. This guy was running. We thought who he was. We're sorry.

[Larois Hawkins]

And I gotta explain my whereabouts to my mom. And the only thing that made her believe me was the fact that my wrist was still kinda. You know what I'm saying? Shaved up from the handcuffs. My little brother actually did notice the police lights. Man, I'm almost getting chills right now thinking about that moment. You know, those are the real references that I have from my experience. And you taught us as a cast how to take those references from our imaginations and from our experiences and just throw them into this world. You teach us. Very good. How to be technical and mechanical with the guns. We're clearing rooms. Cop stuff. But every cop is a human on the inside. And so the human stuff we have to pull on our own. And you do a great job of allowing us to be able to find that.

[Brian Lucci]

But I remember an episode and I talked about it before with you because it just. It rocked me. You and Ruse are the best love relationship we have. And that may sound whatever, but I.

[Larois Hawkins]

Know in a manly way. Bromance.

[Brian Lucci]

You appreciate the bro. Man, I just love it. And people like to joke about it stuff. But I remember there was a scene in the projects. We walked into a courtway and there was an African American there. And you both had guns drawn. And Rusck said, get down on your knees. And this African American black guy, he was with his kid. He was with his kid. And you knew that man couldn't and you knew that man wouldn't and you knew exactly why. But we didn't. But you did. It's the boy from the child. Get on your knees. Keep your hands where I can see him.

[Larois Hawkins]

I'm not getting on my knees for you or for nobody.

[Brian Lucci]

Do not reach in your pocket.

[Larois Hawkins]

It's a phone. I want my son to record this.

[Brian Lucci]

Sir, do not reach in your pocket. A what?

[Larois Hawkins]

You going to shoot me? Kill me in front of my son over a phone? I'm not going to ask you again.

[Brian Lucci]

And it wasn't that scene. It was a scene that was just after that. And I don't know if you remember it, but it was so well shot. I remember everything just stopped. So you go over the squad cars, you walk up, there's this moment of silence. And it just felt so right.

[Larois Hawkins]

Sorry.

[Brian Lucci]

And it felt so true because in that moment I seen like disrespect that we were trying to find for each other and this love of trying to get it right and to be better humans in the scene. Ruse had this incredible understanding, which he didn't have at first, but you told it all through your eyes. Why the guy couldn't go down. But we didn't have to say it.

[Larois Hawkins]

Mm.

[Brian Lucci]

Look at this, man. Look at the stories we're telling, you know? And that is the love affair. And that. That is something so beautiful. And it was because. Because we took the time. Because the show takes the time to do that, you know? And that set the stage to me.

[Larois Hawkins]

It established the cloth that we cut from and the chemistry, you know what I'm saying? That we create and it makes us closer to the community. It makes us closer to the community. When they're able to watch that and they can see the respect and the understanding that we do our best to find as black and white partners. It brought me and Patty closer together. I think it brought black people closer to the show. You know what I'm saying?

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Larois Hawkins]

Like, because I'm reminded of that moment when fans of the show pull up on me. They always want to recall scenes and they always want to tell you what you said and what you did. And I'm reminded of that more often than I am of most scenes. And that's what helped them fall in love with the show. I think that's what helps even protect the show, you know what I'm saying? From any other cop shows. A lot of cop shows out here, and once upon a time, cop shows are getting canceled.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah, yeah.

[Larois Hawkins]

Because they got rid of Paw patrol. You know what I'm saying?

[Brian Lucci]

Cop gander.

[Larois Hawkins]

They hated the pool. I was getting jail, but Chicago PD was protected. And it has a lot to do with us taking the time to create those connections. And we do it in a real way.

[Brian Lucci]

What'd I tell you? Heart and soul, man. We gotta take a little break, but stick around. We'll be right back with my guy Atwater right after this.

[Jack Daniels Announcer]

This episode is brought to you by Jack Daniels. Jack Daniels and music are made for each other. They share a rhythm and the craft of making something timeless while being a part of legendary nights. From backyard jams to sold out arenas, there's a song in every toast. Please drink responsibly. Responsibility.org, jack Daniels and Old no. 7 are registered trademarks. Tennessee whiskey, 40% alcohol by volume. Jack Daniel Distillery, Lynchburg, Tennessee.

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[Brian Lucci]

We'Re back talking with the big hearted and talented Laroise Hawkins, AKA Kevin Atwater. More than other characters, Kevin really understands the difference between the rules of the neighborhood and the rules of policing the gray areas. You know, having street smart helps this out. There's a code of silence on both sides. Atwater clearly knows the price if a person must pay if the rules or codes are broken. This is portrayed in the episode of Street Jesus. Atwater clocked his team members making snap judgments, and Atwater also didn't want his friends to become an informant. How do you navigate that tension with the moral gray areas?

[Larois Hawkins]

As an actor, I remember reading Street Jesus for the first time. I remember bumping on the moments really that were filled with that racial tension a little bit. And I didn't understand why, because in my mind, we've had the scenes with Patty and I. We've had that moment over the roof of the car. We've also had that moment where we had to take the cop that just shot the black kid. So, you know, you know what I'm saying? So to me, initially I was like, why are we running these racial moments back? I had a conversation with Sarge because I needed help kind of navigating that. And he helped talk me off the ledge. And I'm grateful for that conversation because what we discussed was we never stop learning. If you feel like you figured it out, if you feel like racism isn't over, or if you feel like that conversation is behind us, then we can never go forward. It's about, well, now, at this point of your process as a cop, at this point of your life, how do you handle it? If you bumping on it, there's obviously something in you that you're either fighting against or there's something that you need to Grow from. And so you might just need to lean into it. You know what I'm saying? And so in that moment, Sarge talked me into leaning into it. I learned a lot in that episode.

[Brian Lucci]

Just for everybody listening. And I don't mean to interrupt you, but Sarge is Jason Beghe. His voice, like. We just call him Sarge. I call him at water. We call everybody by character because we're on a team, I think. Right. There's a lot of times I go to Sarge. Go ahead. Enemy.

[Larois Hawkins]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Brian Lucci]

I'm so happy.

[Larois Hawkins]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm so grateful for Sarge and his wisdom and his guidance. You know, I mean, a lot of what happens on screen in front of the camera between characters.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah.

[Larois Hawkins]

Happens in the exact same way, or at least very similar between humans. And I think, honestly, those moments, even though I bumped on them when I first read the script, were some of the most authentic nuances.

[Brian Lucci]

Little beeps.

[Larois Hawkins]

Yeah, little beeps within the. You know what I'm saying? Because you clock everybody not talking or talking or nonverbally. Really communicating very beautifully. And if you take those moments out now, it's flat. And I'm actually able to ID the passenger. I know him. Used to be in the game, but he's totally legit now. Does a lot of work for the community.

[Brian Lucci]

I'm confused. You know him?

[Experian Announcer]

What, you didn't recognize him before?

[Larois Hawkins]

No, I did. I did recognize him before. I just.

[Experian Announcer]

Just what?

[Larois Hawkins]

I just didn't want to jam him up. He's a big part of the community center project that I've been telling you about, and he does so much good, and he helps so many people. I just.

[Brian Lucci]

So you decided to protect him, make the case without him?

[Larois Hawkins]

Yeah, I did. I tried to help him out.

[Brian Lucci]

What do you like about Atwater and his arc over the last 12 seasons?

[Larois Hawkins]

For the most part, I just like that we stayed true to the character and allowed the character the room and the grace to grow. You know what I'm saying? That process has been amazing. Like I said. Cause as a storyteller, I've been able to learn so much because of our commitment to the character, the siblings, your father. You know what I mean? You don't get this kind of experience at this level with a wardrobe department X amount of years with an Eric lasalle. You don't get to be on the battlefield with a Jason Begay consistently and just be able to pick up what he's putting down. What I love is being a part of the growth. Atwater isn't the same when we first saw him on the beat. When you consider everything that he's been through and now he's one of the players on this elite squad that every other cop in the district respects. You know what I'm saying? You can say the same thing about LaRoyce Hawkins, who didn't know that much.

[Brian Lucci]

He was the guy on the block.

[Larois Hawkins]

Right. He was a guy on the block. But now, 13 seasons deep, the influence and the impression that I can now leave on actors from Chicago that look like me, that are on their way, the example that I can be now, that's the parallel that I enjoy the most. He's grieving. You need to be offering him help, not expelling him. What is this?

[Brian Lucci]

We have a policy. Two strikes and you're out.

[Larois Hawkins]

Well, write this down. Can you write this down? Can you give me something to write on, Aubrey? Thank you. 52784. That's my badge number, sir. Let the record show minimum punishment was recommended from Officer Atwater from Chicago pd. If anybody starts hollering about the policy, then it's my fault.

[Brian Lucci]

How much of you is in Atwater and vice versa?

[Larois Hawkins]

I think it's a lot of me in there, and I say this humbly, but I think that's what makes Atwater specialists, is because I've had a very unique experience just growing up from where I'm from, just being who I am, my family and my friends. And so the fact that I'm able to pour into Atwater what I know has allowed Atwater to kinda light up.

[Brian Lucci]

It goes back to the intro when we were first talking. I said, when they called me in LA and I was out in LA and they were asking me, I said, the best thing you could do with the character Atwater is keep as much Laroi as you can inside that guy.

[Larois Hawkins]

And that was a blessing. That was a blessing. When you told the producers that they made the character from Harvey.

[Brian Lucci]

Yep.

[Larois Hawkins]

I'm right.

[Brian Lucci]

He made it from Harvey.

[Larois Hawkins]

And that was the biggest blessing that you could have given me because I didn't have to rack my brain about, okay, if I'm from Roseland, what does that mean? How do I act? Or if I'm from the west side.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah. And you called me on some stuff like Luch, you know, man, I wouldn't be standing over there. Because you knew how true the character was to you, Laroise and Atwater.

[Larois Hawkins]

Yeah.

[Brian Lucci]

How many times you were playing undercover. And I'll be like, just remember, you're Leroy's playing atwater who's playing another guy. You know what I mean? Have fun with that shit, you know, get silly with it.

[Larois Hawkins]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. We, man, we done created some crazy moments, man.

[Brian Lucci]

Oh, my God.

[Larois Hawkins]

I'm grateful.

[Brian Lucci]

You ready to go a little deeper into this role?

[Larois Hawkins]

All right, let's go.

[Brian Lucci]

Which favorite TV or movie, cop or detective, inspired you?

[Larois Hawkins]

From my experience. Cause I didn't really grow up on cop shows. If I had to identify a cop, it would probably be Carl Winslow from Family Matters with Steve Urkel.

[Brian Lucci]

He was a cop.

[Larois Hawkins]

He was a cop.

[Brian Lucci]

The old man that would come home.

[Larois Hawkins]

Really? Yeah.

[Brian Lucci]

Oh, that's cool.

[Larois Hawkins]

He was a cop. And it was in the first room and come home. Right. But it was a couple episodes where he never really did cop stuff. Like, I don't think we ever saw him pull a gun out. But there were a few episodes where he had to stand up for his family, where he had to represent his community. I think it was an episode where Eddie Winslow might have gotten harassed by, like, some white cops that didn't know that his father was the police. Yeah, was the police in the way that he just stepped up and stood on business.

[Blinds.com Announcer]

If your son had just told us he was a cops kid, it would.

[Larois Hawkins]

Have been no problem.

[Brian Lucci]

So what are you saying? That you only harass black kids whose parents aren't cops?

[Shopify Announcer]

I didn't say that.

[Brian Lucci]

You didn't have to say that. Because the point is that you two harassed my son because he's black. You can't prove that. But I can file a complaint. And you can believe that I'm gonna be sure that there is an investigation.

[Larois Hawkins]

Cause, you know, that's what I was watching.

[Brian Lucci]

Right, right, right, right.

[Larois Hawkins]

You know what I'm saying? I wasn't watching a lot of cop stuff. It wasn't until later where I kinda started getting into it.

[Brian Lucci]

That's pretty neat.

[Larois Hawkins]

Yeah.

[Brian Lucci]

If you had to pick one moment from the series that defines Attwater as a character, what would you pick?

[Larois Hawkins]

This had to be season one, and we were still hanging out at Molly's. Oh, yeah. And Attwater was. He had the connection. I got a guy for that. You know what I'm saying? It was like ever since that moment, I've done my best to really kind of live in that space where, you know, you the guy that got these resources, these unique resources that everybody might not be able to find, but because you are who you are and you come from where you come from, people love you, you able to. Right. And you got great relationships. Your relationships, honestly, Outwatch relationships make him, in my humble opinion, a better cop. I throw these full package type parties, DJ games, the whole deal. Got a pretty steady crowd. They follow me. Only problem is my video venue fell through. And I'm thinking, how about Molly's? I take care of all the promotions and I provide security at the front.

[Brian Lucci]

It sounds complicated, but just give me a flat 200 and you can invite who you want.

[Larois Hawkins]

Done. And so I'll never forget that moment where Atwater was kind of like hosting that party in Molly's. And I've done my best to try to allow that to follow Atwater.

[Brian Lucci]

Okay, this is the lovey dovey part. Atwater got another love interest this past season, Valerie, or should we say Val Soto? And his fans said. Thank you, Loris. Is it fun to explore Atwater's more playful, vulnerable, sexy side?

[Larois Hawkins]

I do enjoy that. I enjoy tapping into that. Cause it's not something that happens extremely often. I thoroughly enjoy watching Burgess and Patty explore that balance and try to find the harmony within love and this dark world that we live in. Just be careful. It's a fundraiser. No, what we talked about last night.

[Ariane Mandy]

Not taking on too much work, not trying to be all things to all people.

[Larois Hawkins]

What are you, like, some kind of frank? Something like that. I'm gonna do my best.

[Brian Lucci]

What makes PD unique compared to Fire and Men?

[Larois Hawkins]

I think every show has their go to, like, fire has their chickarotes.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah.

[Larois Hawkins]

And Chick is definitely going to do his best to make sure that firefighters are respected and that we're telling great stories. And to be honest with you, I think Brian Luch for us is kind of what separates.

[Brian Lucci]

Dang.

[Larois Hawkins]

I think that's important to say. Just the way that you're able to get into everybody's head, not just the actors. But I've watched you condition directors. I've watched you condition other departments. Right. In a way that we can tell a story that respects cops and respects Chicago. Right.

[Brian Lucci]

Or the offender.

[Larois Hawkins]

Or the offender.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah.

[Larois Hawkins]

Yeah. And we all have Chicago in common. And I know we all want to be the first to respond, but I think every show's a little different because of our go to. You know what I'm saying? And the energy that they bring in respect to the field.

[Brian Lucci]

Thank you. What's your favorite thing that happens behind the scenes that fans wouldn't know about?

[Larois Hawkins]

Mm. We really care for each other. We're really there for each other personally, which I think is dope. I think if fans could really see how much we really cared and how we really show up for each other outside of the set. That'd be crazy. I'll never forget, my son was born in the middle of a scene. And as soon as I got off work, Patty and Jesse drove with me an hour and a half all the way to Rockford to see my son. And I.

[Brian Lucci]

No, I didn't know that story.

[Larois Hawkins]

Yeah. Oh, that's beautiful. You know what I'm saying?

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah. Things like that.

[Larois Hawkins]

It's things like that that people don't see that's gonna make us family forever.

[Brian Lucci]

Okay, last season and looking forward, what did you appreciate most about last season's plot and the character arcs?

[Larois Hawkins]

I love how hot we came in last season. I love the characters that were introduced into our world and then unintroduced Rabbit out of nowhere.

[Brian Lucci]

Right, right, right.

[Larois Hawkins]

You know what I'm saying? Rabbit was great.

[Brian Lucci]

Let me educate you, Mr. CPD officer. Okay. I gave EJ the address because EJ wanted to know who was responsible for his sister dying.

[Larois Hawkins]

What? That's right.

[Brian Lucci]

So you want to talk about death, you should be talking about that.

[Larois Hawkins]

And I just love how Martell was introduced and then all of a sudden, unintroduced. But we picked up cook. You know what I'm saying?

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, you're right.

[Larois Hawkins]

And we were able to carry on with cook in a way that I think really complimented the thing.

[Brian Lucci]

Cook out of the gate was the dope.

[Larois Hawkins]

Yeah, yeah. What's your first name? Kiana.

[Brian Lucci]

Kiana.

[Larois Hawkins]

Adam.

[Brian Lucci]

You know that episode, dude, it was the first time that we slowed down and it breathed, and we were in Rusyk's head, and it got quiet, and there's a little bit noise.

[Larois Hawkins]

Bedroom clear. Clear.

[Brian Lucci]

I got so many good people that came and told me how.

[Larois Hawkins]

How that.

[Brian Lucci]

Like, how that felt the realest for a cop to go through the door. And it's okay to be afraid and to grip that pistol and to feel it shaking. Man.

[Larois Hawkins]

Man, that. Man, that was hard. It was hard.

[Brian Lucci]

A couple quick Chicago questions.

[Larois Hawkins]

Yeah.

[Brian Lucci]

Favorite place to eat in Chicago?

[Larois Hawkins]

Harold's chicken. The one on Madison in the West Loop. And also they got the best burger. My favorite burger.

[Brian Lucci]

Great burger. Yeah. White Sox or Cubs fan?

[Larois Hawkins]

White socks, stop playing.

[Brian Lucci]

It's time for our lightning round of rapid fire. Okay, Laroise, if you could bring any character from any wolf entertainment show. And I'm talking Law and Order, FBI, any one of the Chicago shows. On the. Our Chicago PD show, who would you choose and why? And remember, it's quick ice tea.

[Larois Hawkins]

I'm bringing ice tea over here real quick.

[Brian Lucci]

And why?

[Larois Hawkins]

Yeah, I just think we need them over here. We need that energy. All right, beautiful.

[Brian Lucci]

Laroise, which PD character would you want on your side or holding your six as you stack at a door and you're ready to go through into a bad guy's house, who would you pick and why?

[Larois Hawkins]

I'm picking Burgess.

[Brian Lucci]

Why?

[Larois Hawkins]

She gonna hold me down?

[Brian Lucci]

She loves you, man.

[Larois Hawkins]

I know for a fact. Oh, that's beautiful.

[Brian Lucci]

Laroise, which PD character would you most want to go on vacation with and why?

[Larois Hawkins]

I want to go with Sergeant Platt because I know that we're going to find the fun.

[Brian Lucci]

Amy Morton.

[Larois Hawkins]

Amy Morton, for a fact. Trust me.

[Brian Lucci]

I can't believe it, to be honest with you. I wouldn't mind. I'd take a paper.

[Larois Hawkins]

I love a paper. That's gonna be a good time.

[Brian Lucci]

All right, Laroise, if you could trade places with one Chicago PD character for a day, who would that character be and why?

[Larois Hawkins]

Probably Ocean.

[Brian Lucci]

So you talking about Torres? Benjamin Torres.

[Larois Hawkins]

Benjamin Torres. Just so I can escape. I need practice meditating.

[Brian Lucci]

If there was a dream place to go undercover, and I mean anywhere, like your favorite place to eat or any place to do undercover or be undercover in the writer's room, where would you want to go do an undercover mission?

[Larois Hawkins]

You know what's funny? I've already imagined this moment doing this undercover mission. Imagine being undercover at an open mic.

[Brian Lucci]

Oh, you love the open mic. Yeah.

[Larois Hawkins]

Yeah. As far as. Make you put your name on the list just in case, and they actually call you up and you gotta go up there.

[Brian Lucci]

Oh, that's a good idea to throw at the.

[Larois Hawkins]

You know what I'm saying?

[Brian Lucci]

The writers.

[Larois Hawkins]

Yeah. And so it's a poetry open mic. They didn't even know that Atwater had been writing, but all of a sudden, they called his name. And to preserve his identity, he has to act like he's a poet.

[Brian Lucci]

Quick poem.

[Larois Hawkins]

So he goes up there and he says, to the honeys and the money, either way, we save em. Undercover. Kev mode 5021 David. Copy that. Shots fired in the basement. Burgess running out the back. White women making statements but black mothers make arrangements the blue lights make them all famous I pray that we could trade places Every night I close my eyes I see the same faces and I can't erase them but if he did it. I die for you Tell me the truth I'll lie for you Cross my heart and I cry for you but let the record show that I tried.

[Brian Lucci]

For you oh, my God.

[Larois Hawkins]

I love that you feel me yeah they better Cut that out. I already thought that was.

[Brian Lucci]

That's dope. 15:21 David. I love it.

[Larois Hawkins]

Yeah.

[Brian Lucci]

So I can't thank you enough for coming down here, man. It's been 12 years I've been so fortunate to be part of, so I can't thank you enough. We're probably going to pull you back in again if you'll have it. I know that you're a man who loves entertainment.

[Larois Hawkins]

I can't wait.

[Brian Lucci]

So when we do go behind the scenes to show these people how we make the sausage in our secret recipes, you got to be there with me. We got to rock and roll, right? Put your little cook hat on you.

[Larois Hawkins]

You feel me?

[Brian Lucci]

Thank you. Love you to death.

[Larois Hawkins]

Thank you, brother. All right, brother, from the heart.

[Brian Lucci]

Bye.

[Larois Hawkins]

Bye.

[Brian Lucci]

So you heard Larois and I talking about what an honor it is to grow and learn from this level of talent on both sides of the camera. So I decided to talk to one of our newest collaborators on one of her first days of school, Ariane Mandy, who joined PD as Officer Eva Amani. Ariane's not new to acting. She's worked on a bunch of great sets, but she got no idea what she's about to get into with our behind the scenes shenanigans. So you're coming in as this new character. Have you ever played a cop before?

[Ariane Mandy]

I've never. It's my first time playing a cop.

[Brian Lucci]

So I don't believe her. I think she's a. A straight up liar. And the reason why I think she's a straight up liar is because she moves methodically. So me and her got to go to a little location. Oh, my gosh. You remember that first day where we trained her? We went in the motor pool, we had a few people, we had guns and rocks and rolls and lights and all this other stuff.

[Ariane Mandy]

You were like, no, no, make it look like believable.

[Brian Lucci]

Like you really.

[Ariane Mandy]

You have to really stool the thing. I'm like, okay, I'm doing it.

[Brian Lucci]

So she was killing it. Like, there's line reads in this business, but there's also like physical movement reads. And I didn't want to give her one, but I'd show her one time. And she was rocking like she. Heel, toe, rolling through, clearing, wind, slice the pie, quick peaks. And I said, I'm gonna need like three or four hours with her. We did about an hour, an hour and a half. And since then all it's been is like a little bit of tweaking here and there.

[Larois Hawkins]

Yes.

[Brian Lucci]

And she's cold, hard Killing it. So can you give us a little bit about your character?

[Ariane Mandy]

So my character, Eva Imani, is ex military, used to working on her own, and she has now crossed paths with Voight and gets entangled in his world and. And, you know, we see if they work well together or not.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah. So basically, she's a Chicago cop. She's been on for a few years. She's been to detached services with the Chicago Police Department, where she goes to FBI, atf, we call it the Alphabet Police. All the federal government IT chat where she's. Wait, ultimately we run into her, as you've seen in the first episode, and Void sees this fire in her nose.

[Larois Hawkins]

Okay.

[Ariane Mandy]

We're like minded.

[Brian Lucci]

Yeah.

[Ariane Mandy]

Like, see that we work the same way, we see things the same way.

[Brian Lucci]

But what people don't know behind the scenes is you were rocking and rolling with Jason.

[Larois Hawkins]

Oh, yeah.

[Ariane Mandy]

Throw him straight in. From day one, it was like me.

[Brian Lucci]

And Jace, they never gave her a breather. I think he worked 16 days in a row. Yeah, 16 days in a row of rocking and rolling.

[Ariane Mandy]

To be fair, the good thing about that was, like, I was like, okay, from now on, we can breathe once, you know, you get thrown in like the deep end right away you're like, wait. Everything else is just like, easy, easy water from here on out. Not true.

[Brian Lucci]

Not true. What we like is when the camera. When the camera's not rolling, you got to see how she fits in perfectly. Are you looking forward to the rest of the year?

[Ariane Mandy]

I am. I'm. I'm having a blast and I'm. I'm excited to see.

[Brian Lucci]

What do you want to tell the fans? Anything. Look out for.

[Ariane Mandy]

Oh, my gosh. I want to tell the fans there's going to be so much action and so much fun this season, so buckle up and get ready.

[Brian Lucci]

That's what I'm talking about. And that was Ariane Mandy. Our newest addition to the Chicago PD family. Once Chicago airs on Wednesday night at 87 Central on NBC. And you could stream it on Peacock. The One Chicago podcast is a production of Wolf Entertainment and USG Audio. The series is hosted by me, Brian Lucci. It's executive produced by Dick Wolf, Elliot Wolf and Steven Michael at Wolf Entertainment, Josh Block at USG Audio, and John Yell Kastner at SpokMedia. Our showrunner is Derek John. Our producer is Maggie Dubrizzi, and our audio producer is Jason Mark. Video production by Bo Delmore. Coordinating production by Tess Ryan. Our production assistant is Montserrat Rodriguez, with engineering and mix by Evan Arnett and original Music by John o'. Hara this series is produced by Spoke Media and distributed by Realm Production Support for USG Audience Audio by Josh La Olaki if you'd like to watch this interview and others, take Laroise's advice, be.

[Larois Hawkins]

Sure to like and subscribe to the official One Chicago YouTube page.

[Brian Lucci]

I'm Brian Luch. Thanks for listening and we'll see you all soon. Cut.

[Experian Announcer]

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[Popeyes Announcer]

Experian.

[Larois Hawkins]

Hey, Michael.

[Brian Lucci]

Hey, Tom.

[Larois Hawkins]

Okay, so you want to tell him or you want me to tell him?

[Brian Lucci]

No, no, no.

[Larois Hawkins]

I got this.

[Brian Lucci]

People out there. People lean in. Get close, get close. Listen, here's the deal. We have big news. We got monumental news. We got snacktacular news.

[Larois Hawkins]

Yeah.

[Experian Announcer]

After a brief hiatus, my good friend.

[Brian Lucci]

Michael Ian Black and I are coming back. My good friend Tom Kavanaugh and I are coming back to do what we do best, what we were put on this earth to do. To pick a snack, to eat a snack and to rate a a snack. Scientifically, emotionally, spiritually. Mates is back. Mike and Tom Eat Snacks is back. A podcast for anyone with a mouth. With a mouth. Available wherever you get your podcasts.