Series star LaRoyce Hawkins also pays tribute to the director and EP: “I miss him already.”
Warning: This article contains spoilers for Wednesday’s episode ofChicago P.D., “Protect and Serve.”
“I think we’re in good shape, and the show will continue just fine.
LaRoyce Hawkins, Michael Rispoli, and Patrick John Flueger in ‘Chicago P.D.'.Matt Dinerstein/NBC
The person I trained to replace me understands the importance of having balance for good objective storytelling.
I’m proud of the stories we got to tell together.”
“I would jokingly call Eriq La Salle my real father,” Hawkins says.
Eriq La Salle attending press day for the ‘Chicago’ shows in 2019.KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images
“I always wanted to make him proud.
He’s taught me so much.
I miss him already.”
For La Salle, it was the perfect story to tell as his farewell.
“That’s how we tell our stories, from that point of view.”
Is he defined by 30 years, or are you defined by one second of an action?
Was he suffering from PTSD?
I’m not overly simplifying or romanticizing Wheelan.
I’m simply saying these are the types of questions a good storyteller asks.
He’s attuned to Atwater’s feelings as both men carry the weight of their community on their shoulders.
“I do feel that, but I transfer it to Atwater,” he says.
“Both LaRoyce and Atwater have developed this really cool rhythm with each other.
He’s a Black man first, before he’s an officer.
Just like LaRoyce is a Black man before he’s an artist.
Whatever pressure Atwater feels as an officer is the same pressure I feel as a performer.
I’m proud to have been able to facilitate that with a level of authenticity and realness.”
“I’m currently averaging four hours of sleep.
There just wasn’t enough hours in the day to make it happen, so I gratefully declined.”
I still consider myself an actor, but my passion is writing novels and directing and executive-producing.
It’s important that we’re in those rooms having those important discussions.
Chicago P.D.airs Wednesdays on NBC.
