Chicago P.D. Season 12, LaRoyce Hawkins, who portrays Officer Kevin Atwater, opens up about his character’s budding romance with forensic psychologist Val Soto (played by Natalee Linez).
As the season progresses, viewers get a glimpse of Atwater navigating the complexities of both his professional and personal life. The introduction of Val marks a significant shift for Atwater, who has long struggled to maintain balance amidst his many responsibilities.
Hawkins explains that Val enters Atwater’s life at a critical juncture, offering him something he’s long needed—a way to “turn off” the constant pressures weighing him down. Their relationship begins in a casual encounter but soon becomes a space where Atwater can explore a different side of himself. Val’s understanding nature, rooted in her profession, allows her to perceive the emotional toll Atwater’s life has taken, and she helps him find a new rhythm in balancing work, family, and love.
This potential for growth is what makes their relationship so intriguing. According to Hawkins, Atwater is in a place where he’s allowing himself to let go of certain boundaries and see where this relationship leads. Whether or not this turns into something long-term, Val represents an important step in Atwater’s personal evolution. Hawkins teases that their relationship could serve as a learning experience for Atwater, teaching him to harmonize different parts of his life, something he desperately needs after years of being weighed down by responsibility.
