Marvel Suggests The Best Next Story For Chicago PD Season 12's Most Underutilized Intelligence Member (Yes, It's True)

It might sound strange, but Chicago PD would be wise to reference Marvel when building one character's arc in season 13. 

The NBC police procedural series revolves around the detectives, police officers, and other law enforcement workers who comprise the Intelligence Unit in the Chicago Police Department. Some Chicago PD characters have been around since the beginning, while others have joined later on in the show. Whatever the case, they are all important to the story (even if some aren't treated as such).

One character fell to the wayside in Chicago PD season 12. The episodes focused more on the feud between Hank Voight and Charlie Reid, Kim Burgess' promotion, the introduction of Kiana Cook, and Burgess and Adam Ruzek's wedding. Meanwhile, the writers neglected one of Chicago PD's veteran actors. Hopefully, with the release of a Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) TV series, the actor in question gets a better and bigger arc for their character in season 13.

LaRoyce Hawkins Joins The MCU With Ironheart

The Chicago PD Star Plays Riri's Stepfather

LaRoyce Hawkins, who has played Kevin Atwater in Chicago PD since season 1, joins the illustrious group of MCU actors via his role in Ironheart. As its title suggests, the miniseries follows Riri Williams, who first appeared in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Riri is a young genius and inventor from Chicago who built a suit of armor similar to Iron Man's. Of course, this is only basic knowledge about Riri as the Black Panther sequel only grazed the surface of her character. Ironheart will delve much deeper into her story. And in it, Hawkins stars as Riri's stepfather, Gary.

As teased in the Ironheart trailer, Gary doesn't appear much in the six-part miniseries because he died years ago, which falls in line with Riri's arc in the comic books. As such, Hawkins' character is presumably only in flashback scenes. Nevertheless, Gary still plays a big role in Riri's story. The trailer begins with Riri's voiceover — "My stepdad used to say, 'The best way to know a thing is to take it apart ... put it back together. Then you can see what it's really made of.'" The video also briefly shows a young Riri with her stepfather and the night Gary dies.

Hawkins' MCU Role Argues Atwater's Next Best Personal Arc In Chicago PD Season 13

Chicago PD Should Look To Ironheart For Inspiration

Even though Hawkins' role in the Ironheart cast isn't major, his involvement with the MCU showcases his talent and why Chicago PD needs to start prioritizing his character. The series features an Atwater-centric episode every once in a while. However, Chicago PD also needs to give him overarching, consistent, and intriguing stories.

Whatever the case, Hawkins' Ironheart role could inspire them when contemplating what to do with Atwater in Chicago PD season 13.

 

Perhaps Atwater's next plotline won't exactly mirror Gary's in Ironheart, but the NBC police procedural show's writers could keep it in the back of their minds while developing season 13. Atwater certainly won't become a stepfather anytime soon. He could become somewhat of a father figure, though. Whatever the case, Hawkins' Ironheart role could inspire them when contemplating what to do with Atwater in Chicago PD season 13. The only caveat is that Atwater can't die.

 

Why It's Time For Chicago PD To Give Atwater His Due

Atwater Is The Show's Most Underrated Character

Despite being one of the original characters, Chicago PD often pushes Atwater to the side in favor of shining the spotlight on other members of the Intelligence Unit. Take season 12, for example. Yes, Atwater played a large role in episode 17, "Transference," but that's only one episode out of 22. Atwater was a side character for most of season 12, and he deserves better than that.

Chicago PD Season 12 Cast	Role
Jason Beghe	Hank Voight
Patrick John Flueger	Adam Ruzek
Marina Squerciati	Kim Burgess
LaRoyce Hawkins	Kevin Atwater
Amy Morton	Trudy Platt
Benjamin Levy Aguilar	Dante Torres
Toya Turner	Kiana Cook
Sara Bues	Nina Chapman
Shawn Hatosy	Charlie Reid

After Burgess and Ruzek's wedding in the Chicago PD season 12 finale, the show should shift its romantic focus to Atwater and his love life. As far as we know, he and Val Soto are still trying to make things work. However, Atwater and Val's relationship could only be classified as a fling. Season 13 could give Atwater a real love interest (or continue developing his connection with Val), which would, in turn, gift him a significant arc. At the very least, Chicago PD must prioritize Atwater and make Hawkins the star he was always meant to be.