NEED TO KNOW
- Chicago P.D. star Patrick John Flueger is taking a leave of absence from the show on account of a personal matter
- PEOPLE confirms that Flueger, who plays Adam Ruzek, plans to return later this season
- Flueger originally joined the cast in 2014
Chicago P.D. star Patrick John Flueger is taking a sudden leave of absence from the hit show on account of a personal matter.
Flueger, 41, who plays Adam Ruzek on the police drama, plans to return later this season, PEOPLE confirms. Deadline was first to report the news.
Flueger’s character married longtime love Detective Kim Burgess (Marina Squerciati) in the show’s season 12 finale, and the TV couple share a daughter, Makayla, whom they adopted in season 8. The show is currently in its 13th season. The actor joined the cast in 2014.
Squerciati, 41, previously told PEOPLE of working with Flueger, “Patty and I have great chemistry and he’s my best friend in the whole world.” The actress added that he is “truly is one of my closest friends.”
Patrick John Flueger with his cast mates on Chicago P.D.
Lori Allen/NBC
“I think that that chemistry just shows and we love working together,” Squerciati said.
On their fan-favorite TV wedding, the actress said, “I wanted the classic wedding. I’m glad it was in a church. I’m glad it was a real wedding. They deserve it.” The wedding marked the show’s first formal nuptials.
Previously in the Chicago universe, Taylor Kinney, who stars in Chicago Fire, similarly took a leave of absence. After 10 months in 2023, Kinney, 44, returned to the show. Kinney’s leave of absence similarly pertained to him needing to “deal with a personal matter.”
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Kinney has played Lieutenant Kelly Severide since Chicago Fire premiered in 2012. His character has gone on to become an integral part of the series, eventually going on to appear on the network’s many One Chicago franchise spin-offs Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med.
On Jan. 29, all three shows had a rare crossover event — with Flueger and Kinney appearing in the same episode. In the episode, characters from NBC’s Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D. and Chicago Med came together to save the day after a gas explosion left countless people in danger — including the staff at Firehouse 51, Gaffney Medical Center and in the Intelligence Unit.
