LaRoyce Hawkins, best known to television audiences as Officer Kevin Atwater on NBC’s long-running crime drama Chicago P.D., is officially entering the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The Chicago native has been cast in Disney+’s highly anticipated series Ironheart, where he will portray Gary Williams, the stepfather of teenage genius-turned-superhero Riri Williams.
The news marks a major career milestone for Hawkins, who has spent over a decade bringing heart, grit, and resilience to his role on Chicago P.D.. Now, his journey takes him from the streets of Chicago to the expansive world of Marvel superheroes. For fans who have followed him since the beginning, this casting feels like both a natural progression and a bold leap into new territory.
In Ironheart, Hawkins’ character Gary Williams will play a central role in the emotional core of Riri Williams’ story. Riri, played by Dominique Thorne, is a brilliant MIT student who builds her own advanced suit of armor, echoing Tony Stark’s legacy while forging a heroic path of her own. As her stepfather, Hawkins’ Gary provides a grounding presence, offering support, guidance, and humanity amid the chaos of a world filled with superheroes and villains.
Marvel has emphasized that Ironheart will not only showcase stunning action and groundbreaking technology but also focus deeply on family, community, and identity. Casting Hawkins as Gary ensures that the series maintains a strong emotional backbone. His track record on Chicago P.D.—where he’s portrayed Atwater as both a tough cop and a deeply empathetic friend, brother, and father figure—proves he can bring the layered humanity needed for such a role.
The series premieres June 24, 2025, with its first three episodes dropping on Disney+. Early buzz suggests that Ironheart will be a pivotal entry in the MCU’s Phase 5, expanding Marvel’s roster of young heroes while building on themes of legacy and innovation introduced in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
For Hawkins, the opportunity represents not only a new chapter in his career but also a homecoming of sorts. A Chicago native, he has long credited his hometown with shaping his values and his work ethic. That authenticity has been a hallmark of his performance in Chicago P.D. and is now being carried into one of the world’s biggest entertainment franchises. “I’m proud to represent Chicago wherever I go,” Hawkins has said in past interviews. His casting in Ironheart—a series that itself is rooted in themes of family, perseverance, and resilience—feels like a continuation of that ethos.
As Marvel fans gear up for the show’s release, the addition of LaRoyce Hawkins to the MCU adds yet another reason to watch closely. For Chicago P.D. devotees, it’s a chance to see a familiar face take on an entirely new challenge. And for Hawkins himself, it’s the moment he steps from one defining role into another, bridging the world of police procedurals with the boundless possibilities of superhero storytelling.
