Exclusive: LaRoyce Hawkins Reveals His Thoughts on Burgess and Ruzek's Future! Will He Officiate Their TV Wedding?

LaRoyce Hawkins, the actor from Illinois who portrays Kevin Atwater on the NBC series, shares our enthusiasm for the potential union of Kim Burgess and Adam Ruzek on Chicago P.D. He expressed his strong support for their happily ever after in season 11.

“You can imagine Atwater is probably exhausted from listening to both of them constantly talk about each other,” shared Hawkins, 35, during his endorsement of SimpliSafe for the brand’s 24/7 Live Guard Protection and Smart Alarm Indoor Camera launch.

LaRoyce Hawkins plays Kevin Atwater, Marina Squerciati portrays Kim Burgess, and Patrick John Flueger brings Adam Ruzek to life in the TV series. In a hypothetical scenario, the actor who originated from the South Side imagined his character from "P.D." saying, "You two seriously need to find a room and start living your lives together!" (In season 10, Burgess and Ruzek rekindled their romantic relationship after previously being engaged, breaking up, and cohabitating in previous seasons.)

Hawkins, on the other hand, has a specific role in mind for Atwater in case Burgess and Ruzek decide to get married on the show.

“Not many people know this about me... I am certified to officiate weddings,” he revealed to Us, mentioning that he has already performed a few weddings for his family in the past two years. “I see Burgess and Ruzek as family, and I believe Atwater should have the opportunity to officiate their wedding. That's what we hope for.”

Squerciati exclusively shared with Us in March 2022 her vision for a future Burzek wedding. She imagined inviting Voight to officiate their ceremony, followed by a casual celebration with some chips. After that, they would move forward without bringing up the topic again, simply content with being together. Squerciati believed they would opt for something unconventional, emphasizing the strong bond between them as best friends who are already like a married couple.

LaRoyce Hawkins, courtesy of LaRoyce Hawkins/Instagram, expressed his desire for Atwater's storyline in season 11 to include a love interest.

"I believe these elements contribute to creating fully fleshed out characters. The ability to experience the highs and lows of romance, heartbreak, and redemption is crucial. There is so much depth to be explored in these emotions, and it is an enjoyable endeavor," he expressed. "Therefore, I am eagerly anticipating the opportunity to delve into these aspects as well. I cannot definitively say whether I will or will not, but I am prepared for either outcome." The Fevah actor is also excited for audiences to witness further developments in the relationship between Atwater and his father, Lew (portrayed by Erik LaRay Harvey), who reentered his life during season 10.

Hawkins reflected on the struggles faced by the characters in the previous season, specifically in their relationship, rhythm, and communication. He believes that these struggles portrayed a relatable human response to personal problems. Hawkins also mentioned the progress made by Atwater and his father towards improving their dynamic, expressing excitement about further exploring that aspect of their relationship in the future. He believes that fans would find it intriguing. Although Chicago P.D. won't be back until fall 2023, Hawkins is keeping his cop-like instincts sharp this summer with the assistance of SimpliSafe.

The Hands Up star joined forces with the company on Monday to launch its latest innovations: the 24/7 Live Guard Protection and the Smart Alarm Indoor Camera. (The Live Guard Protection enables agents to capture evidence and deter intruders around the clock by determining in real time if the threat is valid. With the addition of the Smart Alarm Indoor Camera, which utilizes an alarm and live agent voice intervention, SimpliSafe is effectively preventing crime as soon as a break-in occurs.)

"I've been portraying a first responder on a TV show for about 10 seasons now, so I understand the challenges," Hawkins expressed to Us. "I believe the significant gap between incidents or issues at home and the timely response from actual first responders is quite concerning. I also come from a neighborhood where protecting your loved ones is highly important. It's crucial for our peace of mind to ensure that they are in safe hands."

He stated, "The way SimpliSafe simplifies the distinction between comfort and safety, as well as its user-friendly nature, made me decide to join. The products are easy to understand, and with our new product launch, it will be available 24/7. It's a perfect combination."

The premiere date for season 11 of Chicago P.D. has not been announced, but it typically airs on NBC Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET. Click here for more information on SimpliSafe.

With reporting by Johnni Macke