What to Know About Chicago P.D. Season 14 and Atwater’s Exit

The NBC police drama begins its 14th season with a major cast departure and unresolved storylines from its previous finale.

TV, Film & CultureOctober 7, 20263 min readHow Sureno writes this

The short version

Chicago P.D. is a police drama about patrol officers and the Intelligence Unit at Chicago's 21st District; season 14 returns October 7, 2026, on NBC. ²⁴
LaRoyce Hawkins’s Kevin Atwater is leaving during an early season 14 episode, but the exact episode date has not been announced. ¹
The season picks up several unresolved storylines, including Hank Voight’s situation and Atwater’s news that he is expecting a baby. ³
For viewers, the immediate question is how the show will handle Atwater’s departure and what changes in the team mean for the season’s stories.

What is Chicago P.D.?

Chicago P.D. is an NBC police drama created as part of the Chicago television franchise. It follows uniformed patrol officers and the Intelligence Unit, a group of investigators working from the fictional 21st District as they pursue serious crimes. ⁴

The series has aired since 2014. Its stories combine investigations with the officers’ relationships and decisions at work. ⁴

When does Chicago P.D. season 14 return?

Season 14 is scheduled to premiere on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 10 p.m. Eastern and Pacific time on NBC. The reported lineup places Chicago Med at 8 p.m., Chicago Fire at 9 p.m., and Chicago P.D. last in the evening’s sequence. ²

That is useful for viewers planning to watch live. Streaming availability can depend on the service and location, so check NBC or the relevant platform for current options.

Is LaRoyce Hawkins leaving Chicago P.D.?

Yes. LaRoyce Hawkins is set to leave the show as Officer Kevin Atwater in an early season 14 episode. The season premiere is the last premiere that will feature Hawkins in the role, but the exact episode of Atwater’s departure has not been announced. ¹

Showrunner Gwen Sigan said the production wanted the character’s departure to feel natural and optimistic, and to give Atwater some agency in the choice. Those comments describe the creative intent, not the specific events of the episode. ¹

Why are people talking about the new season?

The cast departure is one reason. Season 13 also left several storylines open: a homicide case raised questions for the team, Burgess and Ruzek moved away with their daughter, Eva Imani’s effort to reconnect with her sister did not succeed, and Atwater learned he had a baby on the way. ³

Jason Beghe, who plays Sergeant Hank Voight, has teased changes ahead. The available report does not spell out exactly what those changes will be or how they will affect the team. ³

What does this mean for an ordinary viewer?

If you already watch the show, expect the new season to continue stories left unresolved while preparing to say goodbye to a long-standing character. The departure is planned for early in the season, but viewers do not yet have a confirmed episode date from the sources available here. ¹³

If you are new to the series, the basic setup is a police drama centered on the 21st District’s patrol officers and investigators. Knowing the previous season’s developments may help explain the opening storylines, but the sources do not establish that a new viewer must watch every earlier season.

What we don't know yet

The episode date and full story details for Kevin Atwater’s departure have not been announced in the cited reporting. ¹
The sources do not explain exactly what Jason Beghe means by “real change” or how Voight’s dilemma will be resolved. ³
The available reports do not provide a complete, confirmed account of every cast member and storyline for the season.

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Questions people ask

What day does Chicago P.D. season 14 start?

The season is scheduled to premiere Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 10 p.m. Eastern and Pacific time on NBC. ²

Is Kevin Atwater leaving Chicago P.D.?

Yes. LaRoyce Hawkins is set to leave as Kevin Atwater in an early season 14 episode. The exact episode date has not been announced in the cited report. ¹

Why is LaRoyce Hawkins leaving the show?

The cited reporting confirms that Hawkins is departing but does not give a reason for his decision. Showrunner Gwen Sigan discussed the aim of making Atwater’s exit feel natural and positive for the character. ¹

What happened at the end of Chicago P.D. season 13?

The finale left a homicide case unresolved for several characters. Burgess and Ruzek moved away with their daughter, Eva Imani’s attempt to reconnect with her sister did not work out, and Atwater learned he had a baby on the way. ³

What is Chicago P.D. about?

It is a police procedural drama following uniformed patrol officers and the Intelligence Unit of the fictional 21st District as they investigate serious crimes. ⁴

Sources

'Chicago P.D.' Boss Previews LaRoyce Hawkins' Exit: 'We Wanted to Give the Best Sendoff That We Could' — TV Insider, 2026-10-06
'Chicago P.D.' Season 14 Release Date, Plot, Cast and Trailer for Voight's Dilemma and a Painful Goodbye — Comic Basics, 2026-10-06
Jason Beghe Hints at "Real Change" in Upcoming Season of Chicago P.D. (EXCLUSIVE) — Yahoo Entertainment
Chicago P.D. (TV series) — Wikipedia

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