Chicago P.D. Season 14 is officially back in action, introducing a new challenge for the detectives of the Intelligence Unit.

While audiences may find them vital to the safety of Chicago, the sentiment isn’t shared by everyone, as the final moments of the episode introduce a new challenger for Voight, who has, up until this point, run his unit the way that he sees fit. Sure, he’s had to change up his methods a bit over the course of 14 seasons, but now, he’s been tasked with proving the unit’s an “efficient use of resources.”

And the FBI agent assigned to his team is already someone Voight has crossed paths with—and did not leave a good impression on.

Voight was understandably frustrated with how overrun and chaotic the precinct had gotten while becoming a temporary hub for hundreds of officers and agents relocated from the OCD headquarters, which was getting demolished, but he also took it out on them, including an agent that he didn’t even realize would be the one determining the fate of his unit.

Of course, maybe Voight and the rest of the squad will end up growing on him and proving that they’re essential.

After 14 seasons, the series has to find ways to keep things fresh, with characters evolving and growing with the times while keeping audiences on their feet.

This isn’t the first time Voight has butted heads with someone who could destroy his career, but he’s also never one to back down from a fight. That quality has remained consistent with the character. 

As has his “look the other way” approach, an option he offered to Imani once she found out her sister murdered someone. 

The moment at the beginning reminded viewers how Season 13 ended, as Imani finally found her younger sister, whom she’s been searching for for years.

Unfortunately, it was far from a joyful reunion.

Imani had a tough choice to make—she could bury what her sister did and let her walk free, though she’d always be looking over her shoulder.

And truthfully, it would’ve been a terrible decision that would put everyone in Intelligence in the crossfire, even though they’d surely have her back (in the same way Torres told her he’d have her back no matter what, which I believe is hinting at a possible romance between Imani and Torres. Lord knows he’s into her!). 

We’ve seen detectives who walk a similar path as Voight before, so it was refreshing to see Imani choose the “correct” path, even if it didn’t feel right at all.

Daily, Imani upholds the law, so she didn’t let Shari get a pass, instead, helping her get a solid plea deal and believing that this was the best way forward—the one that would help Shari rehabilitate after everything she’d been through. 

Because, unfortunately, Shari was a product of her kidnapping. She was doing whatever she could to survive in the only life she’d ever known. 

She didn’t have those memories of Imani and her family to hold onto, and therefore, she didn’t reciprocate the level of care and love that Imani showed for her. It was heartbreaking to see unfold, knowing how much of her life Imani gave up, fighting to find her sister. 

She did everything she could to help her, but sometimes, the best thing you can do is offer space and take a step back. Shari wasn’t used to the kind of love that Imani had for her, and it was suffocating.

In time, I imagine they’ll find a new normal that makes sense for them, as this will be the overarching storyline this season, but it’ll also come with a bit of a wake-up call for Imani that good intentions aren’t always enough. 

CHICAGO P.D. — “Demolition” Episode 1401 — Pictured: (l-r) LaRoyce Hawkins as Officer Kevin Atwater, , Marina Squerciati as Officer Kim Burgess — (Photo by: Lori Allen/NBC)

Chicago P.D. Season 14 Episode 1 Case of the Week

The procedural case pulling us back into Intelligence’s orbit paralleled Imani’s own journey and put into question whether a person could change.

The answer? Yes. But it has to come from within. And still, the world has a way of knocking out all hope from people who are doing their best to follow the straight and narrow, a reality that Chris experienced firsthand when he was accused of shooting his parole officer, Lindell, and killing another woman who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. 

All signs pointed to Chris, so everyone just assumed it was him, except for Imani, who approached it with a little more logic and compassion. She didn’t just accept what was being fed to her—she questioned the narrative at every turn. 

Chris had a clean rap sheet ever since he was paroled, so there’s no reason for him to shoot Lindell. And there were no witnesses who saw him take the shot. 

The case deepened when Chris’ friend, Fritzy, who was also Lindell’s parolee, ended up overdosing in Voight’s arms from heroin laced with a lethal amount of rat poison. Imani made the point that Chris had no reason to kill his friend, and everything became clear when they found blood and semen on the bedsheets at Fritzy’s house. 

In a heartbreaking twist, Chris confirmed that Lindell found out Fritzy was using again and promised to keep it a secret in exchange for sex; when she told him she was done, he raped her instead. Fritzy took matters into her own hands and shot Lindell while in Chris’ car, which is why it was placed at the scene, while Lindell drugged her at home to keep the truth from getting out. 

Except Imani was persistent, hoping to find justice for someone she believed in, and once they cornered Lindell, he confessed to everything before asking Voight and his officers to shoot him because he wouldn’t make it in prison.

Voight informed him he won’t be “getting the easy way out,” promising that he’ll feel “everyday” of his charges. 

The saying don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time comes to mind because Lindell was so good at manipulating in the shadows, but couldn’t stand his own when confronted with his ugly decisions. 

Atwater’s Baby Is Coming

Enough time has passed between seasons that the moment has arrived—Tasha is in labor, and Atwater is about to become a daddy.

And it’s bittersweet. For 14 seasons, fans have been asking for Atwater to get more personal storylines, specifically, a love interest. He’s had a few romances here and there, but never anything serious, and they finally nailed down the right girl for him with Tasha. She’s vibrant, electric, and she challenges him, making her an incredible addition to the team.

So what does that mean? LaRoyce Hawkins is exiting the series. 

I’m personally upset that Atwater is leaving the series before we can really dive into Kevin’s new journey or even see how fatherhood will change him, becuse I’m sure it will. 

Hopefully, the sendoff gives us at least a glimpse of what could have been so we can hold onto the good moments. Atwater has gone through so much as a detective; in this new chapter, he deserves to focus on the good in the world versus constantly finding himself carrying the weight of his community.

It was fitting that Ruzek was the one to drive him to the hospital before he earned the title, but admittedly, I’ll cry my eyes out when it’s time for Atwater to say goodbye to the OG crew and move on with his life. 

Losing a core character is never easy—and fans of the One Chicago shows have been hit with many losses these past few years. It seems to be the curse and blessing of a show being around for so many seasons. 

What did you think of the premiere? Let us know in the comments! 

A major change is coming to Chicago P.D.

Ahead of Chicago P.D. Season 14, it was announced that LaRoyce Hawkins, who has played Det. Kevin Atwater since the show’s inception on NBC in 2014, will be exiting the procedural.

Deadline confirmed the announcement, noting that Hawkins will return this season for a handful of episodes to “wrap up” his character’s storyline. 

Hawkins has not addressed the report.

The outlet expressed that Wolf Entertainment declined to comment, but that the series is casting a new “Black cop who is an agent of chaos.”

Hawkins’ exit is definitely a bummer, given that his character is expecting his first child with Officer Tasha Fox. The writers could use that as an exit for Kevin, who has long wrestled with the tension between his role as a cop and his place within the Black community.

Tasha was living in Miami when she got a positive pregnancy test, so it’s possible Atwater will make the choice to move there and be there for her and the baby. 

CHICAGO P.D. — “Long Lost” Episode 1011 — Pictured: LaRoyce Hawkins as Kevin Atwater — (Photo by: Lori Allen/NBC)

However, it’s also unfortunate because not only is Hawkins one of the fan-favorite characters who consistently delivers excellent episodes with emotional and gripping storylines, but fans are finally getting what they want from the character—his romantic life explored with a serious love interest.

The situation between Fox and Atwater is definitely complicated, but there’s so much to work with. What do you mean we’re going to get cheated out of seeing Atwater become a father!? A partner in a committed relationship? All the things? 

Of course, the report notes that he will no longer be a series regular, so there’s a possibility to revisit Atwater’s storyline on a guest role basis, but it’s not the same. 

And it comes as P.D. has already lost a handful of original core cast members, following the more recent departures of Tracy Spiridakos (Haley Upton) and Jesse Lee Soffer (Jay Halstead). 

I know it’s par for the course for long-running shows like this one, but it’s a hit that’s felt by the fandom, as the Deadline social media post echoed the same message among viewers, “That’s a huge loss to show.”

“Wow. A big loss to the show. They will likely end his character by him moving to Miami with the mother of his child,” someone else suggested, as another quipped, “Just cancel the show already.”

“We finally get something good with your character storyline and you leaving??” another expressed, with others noting, “Welp, guess it won’t be a reason for me to watch the show anymore once he leaves. This is heartbreaking 💔💔💔”

Summer may have just started a few days ago, but NBC is already looking to the fall, specifically, its fall premieres. 

On Wed, June 24, the network set return dates for its fan-favorite shows, including all of the One Chicago franchises. 

When Will Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med Return for Fall 2026/2027

One Chicago will stick with its Wednesday night time slots, which is great for fans who have gotten used to the schedule.

The 2026/2027 Fall TV schedule will see all One Chicago shows returning with new seasons on Oct. 7, 2026.

Chicago Fire will return for Season 15, Chicago P.D. will kick off Season 14 and Chicago Med will be back for Season 12!

Full NBC Fall 2026/2027 Schedule

Wednesday, September 9
7-8:20 P.M. – Football Night In America
8:20-11:30 P.M. – NFL Kickoff Game (New England at Seattle)

Sunday, September 13
7-8:20 P.M. – Football Night In America
8:20-11:30 P.M. – Sunday Night Football (Dallas at N.Y. Giants)

Thursday, September 17
8-10 p.m. – THE TRAITORS: NEW BLOOD

Monday, September 21
8-10 p.m. – The Voice
10-11 p.m. – LINE OF FIRE

Tuesday, September 22
8-9 p.m. – The Voice
9-11 p.m. – America’s Got Talent

Wednesday, September 23
8-9 p.m. – The Voice
9-11 p.m. – America’s Got Talent season finale

Friday, September 25
9-11 p.m. – Dateline NBC

Wednesday, October 7
8-9 p.m. – Chicago Med
9-10 p.m. – Chicago Fire
10-11 p.m. – Chicago P.D.

Thursday, October 8
9-10 p.m. – Law & Order: SVU
10-11 p.m. – Law & Order

Friday, October 23
8-8:30 p.m. – Happy’s Place
8:30-9 p.m. – NEWLYWEDS