One Chicago Podcast: In-Depth with LaRoyce Hawkins (Kevin Atwater, Chicago P.D.)
Episode Date: January 29, 2026
Host: Brian Lucci (former Chicago cop, producer on Chicago P.D.)
Guest: LaRoyce Hawkins (Kevin Atwater on Chicago P.D.)
Episode Overview
This episode of the One Chicago Podcast takes listeners behind the scenes of Chicago P.D. with LaRoyce Hawkins, who brings Kevin Atwater to life. Centered on the show’s recent dramatic episode, "On the Way" (S13E11), Brian and LaRoyce unpack the action, emotional depth, and creative process underpinning one of the season’s most ambitious story arcs. From shut-downs on Lakeshore Drive to personal growth—both of the character and the actor—this candid conversation shines with warmth, humor, and heartfelt appreciation for the entire Chicago P.D. team.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Making of Episode “On the Way” — The Biggest Yet
- Ambitious Scenes: The cast and crew went all-in for episode 1311, pulling off complex stunts, a downtown street takeover, and even borrowing a Lamborghini.
"We got to visit the candy shop, borrow a custom Lamborghini, and do some amazing card tricks… takeover the downtown streets of Chicago, which looked so real that the actual copper showed."
— Brian Lucci (01:24)
- Real Police Response: The production was so lifelike that it confused real Chicago cops, who arrived ready to break up what they thought was a genuine illegal street takeover.
"I remember that boy they pulled out and I felt like I was back in Harvey and the jump out boys was in the pocket... it was hilarious."
— LaRoyce Hawkins (01:54; 38:49)
Atwater’s Standout Moments this Season
- Character-Arcing Episodes: LaRoyce discusses his character’s development across "Miami" (Ep. 1305) and "On the Way" (Ep. 1311), expressing gratitude toward the writing and directing teams.
"To be honest with you, I didn’t know it can get any better than Miami. And then On the Way pulled up, and I was like, Jesus Christ, this can be something special."
— LaRoyce Hawkins (05:40)
- Crew Appreciation Rituals: Every Wednesday, the cast celebrates a crew member—boosting morale and bonding the set.
"Every hump day, we pick a different… crew member gets nominated to be celebrated for the day."
— LaRoyce Hawkins (06:18)
The Collaborative Power of Storytelling
- Personal Connections: LaRoyce shares how his real life often serendipitously intersects with storylines—such as the “Duke” character (also the name of his childhood pet duck) and the poetic phrase, "If you’re not in the way, you on the way," which echoes his own poetry.
"There’s two types of people in this world... People who are in the way. People are on the way."
— LaRoyce Hawkins (09:48)
- Bringing Emotion to Crime Drama: The actors discuss the difficulty and fulfillment of portraying real trauma, including scenes of loss and police work’s toll on characters and those who play them.
"You told him that was one of the best deaths that you... In 250 episodes, I had never seen that in my life... the life came out of that kid."
— Brian Lucci (17:08)
"You never know what you're going to connect to… what connected me was when you told me that the job isn't done... Now the job actually starts."
— LaRoyce Hawkins (21:03)
Growth, Challenges, and ‘Keeping it Real’
- Learning Through Discomfort: Trusting writers, directors, and one another—even in moments of uncertainty—became central to LaRoyce’s evolution as Atwater.
"You finally get uncomfortable enough to where you comfortable being uncomfortable."
— LaRoyce Hawkins (14:23)
- Mentorship and Collaboration: The influence of Eric LaSalle (EP/director) and Jesse Lee Soffer helped the cast focus on authenticity.
"We don't believe in what's right. We don't believe in what's wrong. We believe in what's real."
— LaRoyce Hawkins (24:19)
- Finding Truth in Every Role: Small coaching moments, like telling an officer-actor to "just be good police" or adapting advice for fellow cast members, underscore the organic, lived-in performances the show strives for.
"None of this is on the page… Just really go there and do your best to be good police."
— LaRoyce Hawkins (26:05)
Behind the Action: Cars, Stunts, and Iconic Scenes
- Car as Character: The role of the ‘Bullet’ Mustang—both as a plot device and a symbol of Atwater’s personal journey—is celebrated.
"I always wanted DaBaby nickname to be Bullet."
— LaRoyce Hawkins (33:12)
- Teamwork in Massive Scenes: The episode’s epic Buckingham Fountain sequence required extensive collaboration with the city and multiple departments, making everyone—down to the water department—part of the story’s DNA.
"It was so real that the Chicago Police Department has a specialized unit that reports the scenes like this. Didn’t know we were filming… It was hilarious."
— Brian Lucci (37:22; 39:11)
Undercover Work & Character Playfulness
- Breaking the Mold: Atwater’s undercover, comedic moments allowed LaRoyce to flex his stand-up roots and break from the show’s more rigid formula.
"There’s certain chops you don’t get to use all the time on Chicago PD… when I was given a little elbow room to color outside some lines, I was like, wow..."
— LaRoyce Hawkins (52:31)
The Emotional Arc: Atwater’s Fatherhood
- Anticipating Atwater as a Father: The arc of Atwater (possibly) becoming a father stands to shift his perspective and future choices, as LaRoyce parallels Atwater’s dilemmas with his own experiences as a parent and Chicago cop.
"Now that we got these bodies, we still got work to do. We gotta inform families..."
— LaRoyce Hawkins (22:29) "There’s a difference between a guy that’s solving crimes and saving lives and a guy... about to be a father soon."
— LaRoyce Hawkins (54:29)
- Real-Life Parallels: Brian and LaRoyce swap stories about what parenthood means for police officers—long hours, missed moments, and the challenge of balancing the job with family.
"When they said you're going to have a kid, I just sat down, I went, oh man, I got a whole book for this dude of the mistakes that I made that I can't get back."
— Brian Lucci (56:21)
"It's an authentic reflection of how fatherhood actually feels for me sometimes."
— LaRoyce Hawkins (57:50)
Closing with Heart: Atwater’s Message
- LaRoyce shares a text Atwater might send, blending poetry and reality:
"From the heart to the first responder. If you ask me what I want and what I really need... Bullet green. I just want to feel the power of my own dreams..."
— LaRoyce Hawkins (60:18)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)
-
On celebrating the crew:
"Every hump day, we pick a different crew... whoever was picked last week hands off the crown. You got 100 crew members going, 'Who’s it gonna be?' It's an energy booster." (06:18–08:24, Lucci/Hawkins)
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On the realism & scale of setpieces:
"When we shut down Lakeshore Drive... nobody does that but Beyoncé at Soldier Field!" (35:23, Hawkins) "Cars were spinning out, doing donuts. The takeover looked so real, the cops came with strips." (37:22, Lucci)
-
Handling tough scenes:
"I seen people die. I seen people try to die… but there's a light too. When he did that, it was tearing me up." (17:08, Lucci)
-
On being true to the character:
"You gotta always be thinking… what are you thinking about right now while you're acting? It could be a starfish… don't make it spontaneous." (24:42, Lucci referencing Jesse Lee Soffer)
-
Atwater’s poetic soul:
"If you’re not in the way, you on the way. Two types of people." (09:48, Hawkins)
-
Fatherhood and legacy:
"There's a difference between a guy that's solving crimes and saving lives, and a guy that's about to be a father soon." (54:29, Hawkins) "I'm more nervous… similar nerves to how you get when you have a son." (55:29, Hawkins)
-
The “Bullet” nickname:
"I've been dodging bullets my whole career. Couldn't dodge that one [referring to baby’s nickname]." (32:29–32:36, Hawkins/Lucci)
Important Segment Timestamps
- (02:40) LaRoyce expresses excitement and nerves over Atwater’s changing arc
- (05:40–07:58) Reflections on writing, directing, and celebrating costume/stunt departments
- (09:48–10:16) Atwater’s personal philosophy echoes in script language
- (14:23) On becoming comfortable with discomfort for character authenticity
- (17:08–18:51) Discussing the realism and impact of a significant on-screen death scene
- (21:03–24:30) Emotional resonance of finding victims and informing families
- (35:18–41:09) Bringing Buckingham Fountain scene to life; encountering real police
- (52:30–53:48) LaRoyce on bringing controlled humor to undercover scenes
- (54:29–56:21) Anticipating how fatherhood will influence Atwater’s decision-making
- (60:18–61:10) LaRoyce improvises Atwater’s heartfelt, poetic text
Final Thoughts
This episode is a masterclass in the unsung complexities of acting, collaboration, and honoring both the procedural and emotional realities of police drama. It offers rich behind-the-scenes detail, genuine camaraderie, and a glimpse of what makes Chicago P.D.—and its cast—so enduringly authentic.