'Chicago P.D.': Atwater finds solace in new love interest; Q&A with LaRoyce Hawkins

Behind the Screens with Joshua Maloni

@joshuamaloni

For 12 seasons, “Chicago P.D.” intelligence unit officer Kevin Atwater has been the model for good police work, community advocacy and family togetherness. A real pillar of human virtue.

So, why is his creator desperate to take this character in another direction?

For LaRoyce Hawkins, the rationale is representativeness.

“I don't want to create a story that feels right, nor do I want to create a story that feels wrong. I want to create a story that feels relatable, that feels real, that feels understandable, either way,” Hawkins said in an interview on Thursday.

While Atwater is the moral and ethical bar by which his unit mates are judged, Hawkins said this character – like any person, let alone a first responder working in one of the country’s largest cities – has flaws. And even when Atwater does the right thing, there’s oftentimes a cost – be it personal or professional.

Hawkins and showrunner Gwen Sigan brainstormed ways in which Atwater could show his struggles, find some relief, and continue to demonstrate what it means to be a human – not a saint.

To that end, in this week’s episode, Atwater will meet a woman who has keen insight into his occupation and presentation. Someone who has a unique skill to help him heal.

He meets “Val” (Natalee Linez) at a “cop bar,” and the two quickly find chemistry. When Atwater gets a call, he leaves – regretfully without getting Val’s number – but, much to his surprise, he finds her again – as part of the crime investigation. Sensing a witness might be suffering from PTSD, Sgt. Hank Voight (Jason Beghe) opts to call in a specialist: Forensic psychologist Valeria Soto.

Natalee Linez as Val Soto. (NBC photo by Elizabeth Sisson)

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Hawkins shared more in this edited Q&A.

“Chicago P.D.” airs at 10 p.m. Wednesdays on NBC (WGRZ-TV Channel 2).

BTS: I always look forward to a good Atwater episode. This one sounds intriguing, to say the least. What can you tell us about this story we're heading into?

LaRoyce Hawkins: Man, I can tell you that, hopefully, it's a very realistic representation of what it feels like to just navigate more than one nuance at the same time.

Atwater is responsible for a few things, as a big brother, as a son, as a landlord, and as a partner to one of the most prolific units in Chicago. So, it was like we finally see all of his gifts, from the bag that he was offered, competing with each other. And he struggles with finding collaboration between it all, among it all.

Historically, as I've just been watching the character grow, one of the things that I noticed is that, in certain circumstances where Atwater’s empathy is extremely unique, you know, his sensitivity towards certain witnesses is like special – and just like a big, soft teddy bear; and that's his approach to getting information. He needs to have people feel comfortable around him.

And this time, I did my best to explore a different approach. Like, it almost feels like your favorite trainer in the gym that knows what you need to do to get the results you want to see in your body. But he's not going to let you slack, not going to let you be lazy, going to push you to the limit to make sure that you get the best results possible. And we see that being Atwater’s approach with his witness, where he's not as soft. He's a little bit more firm, while also being fair. And then we see that approach clash with the approach of the young lady he meets, who’s a psychiatrist and a love interest in one, which is which is a pretty dope dynamic.

“Chicago P.D.”: LaRoyce Hawkins as officer Kevin Atwater. (NBC photo by Parrish Lewis)

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BTS: It's interesting hearing you say that. When we chatted last, you were sort of considering how to embrace Atwater’s imperfections, because you said that sometimes the artist can make the mistake of wanting him to be perfect.

We've talked about Atwater being the moral compass for this team; Atwater being the one who sort of is the gold standard, as far as what you would want a police officer to be, what you would want someone to be who's active in the community. But, particularly with what we saw last season – we know Atwater had some challenges; there was obviously a robbery with a man who was killed in an entryway – do you feel like you are accomplishing your goal of humanizing Atwater, as opposed to having him just be on a pedestal?

LaRoyce Hawkins: I think so. Once I realized how important it is for our characters to tell stories that are understandable, right, relatable. We relate to mistakes. We relate to, really, sometimes, like you said – and thank you for reminding me – of the imperfections. And I don't want to create a story that feels right, nor do I want to create a story that feels wrong. I want to create a story that feels relatable, that feels real, that feels understandable, either way.

I think we're achieving that. We're definitely on our way. What helps me out, obviously, is, as we feel the stories, you know, I do my best to try to go against everything that I've taught myself, right?

I think season 12 is going to be, for all of us as characters – and you'll notice this from us – you'll see us going against the grain in a direction that really grows the characters, collectively. Like, we're all so dialed in right now, and it's because we're not playing our instruments the same way. We’re finding ways to surprise ourselves with these instruments. And we're creating music that feels like the same song, but there's a better version of the same song – which has been our goal as a unit, collectively.

Pictured, from left, “Chicago P.D.” stars Patrick John Flueger as officer Adam Ruzek, Jason Beghe as Sgt. Hank Voight, Marina Squerciati as officer Kim Burgess, and LaRoyce Hawkins as officer Kevin Atwater. (NBC photo by Elizabeth Sisson)

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BTS: I remember, oh, it's probably five years ago, being at a #OneChicagoDay, and having you, and back then it was Lisseth Chavez (officer Vanessa Rojas), come over to the table, and we were talking maybe that would be the relationship that sticks. Obviously it didn't, and Atwater has been through a couple more since then.

You can't tell us if Val is going to be around for one episode, two episodes, 100 episodes – we know that. But, as fans, should we be more optimistic that this romance might last for a little while?

LaRoyce Hawkins: You know, as fans, I would ask us to take our time, and really try to see, authentically, what kind of seed is planted and what direction it grows.

It's hard to say how long it’s going to stick around, but what I am grateful for is the skillset that Atwater might be able to learn from the relationship, or from the rhythm in the relationship.

You know, he hasn't always had a woman in his life that understands exactly what's going on, from a mental or physical and spiritual perspective, right? Just, like, hasn't always understood it. He's had situations where a woman that's been on the opposite side of the law, and obviously wouldn't understand exactly what it means to be a cop. He's had women in this life who don't like cops at all, and so he's had to even hide a major part of himself, which was uncomfortable.

And so now, I think we get the opportunity to see a woman who understands it all, and has a certain amount of patience towards it. Got a front-row ticket to see how Atwater navigated all these nuances at once. Saw him drop the ball a little bit, but also watched him pick it up.

So, it's like, this one is going to be a little unique, because I think it surprises both of them, especially Atwater.

And what I've been asking for, as a storyteller, as me and Gwen talk, and never asked for a love interest as much as I asked for a release. You know, Atwater has been through so much, is holding on to so much at the same time. And I wanted to show a first responder that had the self-awareness of knowing that he needed some help. I thought that would be a great example to show our audience, especially from his character.

And Gwen was creative and cool enough to (achieve that) in this character (of Val). So, it's like, not only do I get the release, but also a little romance at the same time.

And so, we'll see what happens.

"Chicago P.D.": LaRoyce Hawkins as officer Kevin Atwater. (NBC photo by Lori Allen)

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BTS: We've talked about Atwater. We know that LaRoyce is a stand-up guy in real life. What can you tell me about the actress playing Val, and what was it like to work with her in this episode?

LaRoyce Hawkins: Man, she was great. She was beautiful. She came with an energy that everybody loved right away.

You know, sometimes I’ve seen, depending on what we're doing or who's in it, it can be a little intimidating for somebody just walking into a show that's been doing what we've been doing for so long. But the way she pulled up and didn't flinch at all, you know what I mean, really had the sense of humor that it takes, I think, to handle some of this heavy material. Got along with everybody extremely well. And, you know, once she won over the old man, you won over the whole room. Voight thought she was amazing.

I'm looking forward to continuing to explore with her.