While Chicago P.D. is celebrated for its high-stakes action, emotional storytelling, and gritty realism, it’s often the off-screen connections between the cast members that resonate most deeply with fans. A recent behind-the-scenes moment has sent waves of emotion through the One Chicago fandom: a deeply affectionate hug shared between LaRoyce Hawkins (Officer Kevin Atwater) and Tracy Spiridakos (Detective Hailey Upton).
This candid on-set photo, which quickly went viral, has become a powerful symbol of the close-knit bond that makes Chicago P.D. feel like more than just a police drama—it truly feels like family. The image, showing Hawkins and Spiridakos embracing warmly on the set of Season 12, comes at a particularly emotional time. Tracy Spiridakos is confirmed to be leaving the series at the end of this season, and her co-stars are clearly cherishing every last moment with her. This hug wasn’t staged or scripted; it was a genuine expression of affection and mutual respect between two actors who have shared years of professional and personal growth together.
As Spiridakos prepares for her departure, emotions are running high both on set and among the show’s global fanbase. Her portrayal of Hailey Upton—tough, loyal, and emotionally complex—has made her a standout in the One Chicago universe. Over the years, Upton has endured heartbreak, carried guilt, and made some of the series’ most difficult choices. Spiridakos brought a level of nuance to the role that resonated deeply with fans, grounding the character in emotional reality. Her exit, though not yet played out on-screen, is already being felt off-camera—and that heartfelt hug with LaRoyce Hawkins seemed to encapsulate all of it: the gratitude, the history, and the profound love.
LaRoyce Hawkins is widely admired not just for his incredible acting chops but also for his ability to uplift those around him. His character, Kevin Atwater, has become one of the emotional anchors of the series—a moral compass navigating the complicated realities of policing in America. In real life, Hawkins embodies that same empathy and wisdom, often mentoring younger actors and using his platform to speak on crucial issues like social justice, fatherhood, and representation. That’s precisely why this particular moment with Spiridakos felt so profound. It wasn’t merely two actors hugging; it was a deeply felt farewell between two people who’ve been through it all, both on the page and behind the scenes.
