One of the original cast members of Chicago P.D. is stepping back from the police drama, less than a month after Season 13 premiered.
Patrick John Flueger, who portrays Officer Adam Ruzek, is taking an unexpected leave of absence due to personal matters, sources told Deadline and TheWrap this week.
Flueger has been a series regular on the NBC procedural since it debuted in 2014. The 13th season premiered on Wednesday, Oct. 1.
But lately the actor “has been going through a difficult period personally, with an instance of alcohol use on set,” according to Deadline. Flueger is expected to return to the production later in the season.
His character is married to Officer Kim Burgess (Marina Squerciati). They share daughter Makayla (Ramona Edith Williams), who they adopted following a rash of violence in her troubled home.
Related: ‘Chicago P.D.’ Series Regular Exits Ahead of Season 13
Last week’s episode saw Ruzek and Burgess solve a case involving the murder of a young woman who lived down the street from them. The victim shared many similarities to the couple’s daughter, causing them to begin discussing lifestyle changes including moving out of their Chicago neighborhood.
With the new season just getting underway, scripts will be reworked because of Flueger’s absence.
His character Ruzek has been a key part of the Chicago P.D. intelligence unit, particularly after a recent cast departures.
Toya Turner, who played Officer Kiana Cook, unexpectedly exited the show after season 12, after sharing on Instagram in May that Officer Cook would be returning for season 13.
Tracy Spiridakos, who played Hailey Upton, left the series after season 11. Before that, Jesse Lee Soffer, who portrayed Upton’s partner and husband Jay Halstead, left the show.
Jason Beghe leads the cast of the drama. LaRoyce Hawkins, Amy Morton, and Benjamin Levy Aguilar also star. Arienne Mandi joined the show this season as Officer Eva Imani.
The tough-talking Imani transferred to Intelligence after helping on a case that brought the unit back from suspension, following the killing of Deputy Chief Charlie Reid (played by Emmy winner Shawn Hatosy of The Pitt).
The series is a spinoff of Chicago Fire, and centers on the fictional 21st District and the department’s elite Intelligence Unit led by Sergeant Hank Voight (Jason Beghe).
In May, NBC renewed its “One Chicago” franchise and announced Chicago P.D., Chicago Med, and Chicago Fire would all return for the 2025-2026 broadcast season.
All three shows air on Wednesday nights and are produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, in association with Wolf Entertainment.
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