If there’s anyone who knows how beautifully chaotic the city of Chicago can be, it’s Chicago P.D. star LaRoyce Hawkins, who has kicked criminal butt all over the Windy City as One Chicago fan favorite Kevin Atwater.
For more than 13 seasons and counting, Hawkins’ Officer Atwater and the rest of the steadfast Intelligence Unit have kept Chihards captivated with the winding investigations and blood-pumping criminal takedowns. Whether it’s a criminal pursuit across the Windy City rooftops or an action-packed car chase along Chicago’s iconic Magnificent Mile on Michigan Avenue, the Chicago P.D. cast is familiar with the hectic day-to-day of filming on the Chicago streets, and they hold mighty respect for the city they get to bring to vivid life.
NBC Insider recently spoke with P.D. star Hawkins, who had nothing but praise for the city of Chicago for allowing the One Chicago cast and crew to bring these heartwarming stories of heroism to life. “You would also be surprised how integral the city of Chicago is and how they have to really allow us to do everything that we’re doing,” Hawkins said.
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“I had a moment this season where I felt like Beyoncé, and I’ll explain why, because when Beyoncé got a concert at Soldier Field, traffic on Lakeshore Drive gets carried away,” Hawkins shared before recalling a cherished memory in which he felt like the ultimate V.I.P during a P.D. shoot.
LaRoyce Hawkins felt like a pop star after P.D. shut down a major Chicago street
Chicago’s ability to attract powerhouse performers and must-see tours has long led to standstill traffic near its iconic performance venues. But it’s not just A-listers and pop stars who hold that kind of sway over inner-city traffic. The One Chicago franchise films on the lively city streets, occasionally leading standstills on major Windy City roadways. Hawkins explaines to us that one instance in particular had him feelin’ himself like Queen Bey herself.
“I’m pretty sure I caused powerful traffic jams on Lakewood Drive,” he recalled. “Because it was two, three in the morning, and the city of Chicago allowed us to shoot in front of Buckingham Fountain, on Balboa, and we blocked off Lake Shore Drive for as many hours as it took to shoot a scene.”
Translation for readers outside of the Windy City who may be unfamiliar: P.D. production shut down the portion of Chicago’s downtown expressway that residents use day in and day out, boasting traffic on even the slowest of days.
Hawkins teased that it was one of “those moments where you don’t understand why traffic is traffic sometimes, you know what I’m saying? It’s not Beyoncé sometim
After fondly recalling another similar scenario when the P.D. cast shut down the ever-busy Michigan Avenue for a scene, Hawkins gave kudos to the city of Chicago for helping the One Chicago stars shine a light on the amazing city.
“We need that cooperation from the city, otherwise we can’t really do what we got to do, but that’s what makes, in my humble opinion, Chicago the greatest character in the one Chicago universe,” Hawkins said. “Because if we weren’t really able to bend some rules and get that cooperation, you wouldn’t really see the city as lit as it is on our show.”
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