Chicago P.D. veteran Patrick Flueger is taking a leave of absence from the show to take care of a private matter, per multiple reports.
In response to Deadline, which first reported the news on Tuesday, October 21, Flueger, who plays police officer Adam Ruzek, is ready to return later in season 13. His temporary exit was unexpected and scripts are being rewritten to accommodate his absence, the outlet said.
Us Weekly has reached out to NBC and Wolf Entertainment, which produces the series, for comment.
Flueger has been one among 4 mainstay characters on Chicago P.D. because it premiered in 2014 and has appeared in all 12 seasons of the show to date. Season 13 premiered on NBC earlier this month.
The Chicago P.D. season 12 finale saw Flueger’s character, Ruzek, tie the knot with longtime love Kim Burgess, a Chicago P.D. detective played by Marina Squerciati, in a ceremony attended by their friends and colleagues. The couple have a daughter, Makayla, whom they adopted during season 8.
Earlier this month, actor Jason Beghe, who plays Sergeant Hank Voight, weighed in on Voight’s response to Ruzek and Burgess’ marriage in an exclusive interview with Us.
“[Voight] accepts it and supports it, and [he does] love them each, nevertheless it is a possible problem,” Beghe, 65, said, though he said Voight has mixed feelings concerning the couple continuing to work together following their nuptials.
As their superior, Beghe said his character can have to navigate tough decisions relating to case assignments for the couple.
“It could actually result in bad decisions and mistakes, nevertheless it is what it’s,” Beghe teased. “So [he’ll] support them and fight for them — give his last drop of blood to guard them. They’re a family now – that features [their daughter] Makayla. She’s [Voight’s] family.”
In May, Chicago P.D. showrunner Gwen Sigan teased what’s to return for Ruzek and Burgess this season, noting that viewers will see a more “healthful” side to their relationship now that they’re married.
“Now that they’ve some form of stability at home, what does it appear like on the job?” Sigan said. “What can we push them into and form of, find stories there.”
Sigan said she’s “excited” for the couple’s story lines this season, adding that there’s “loads to play” with for the 2 characters.
Flueger’s absence follows the exit of Toya Turner, who played Officer Kiana Cook in season 12, after only one season.
Turner announced her departure in a June Instagram post, writing, “My time on Chicago P.D. has come to a detailed. This show challenged me, sharpened me, and revealed what I’m product of. I’ve evolved through this experience, each as an artist and in my craft, and I’m walking away with depth, clarity, and momentum for whatever comes next.”
“To the solid and crew: thanks for the heat, the laughter, and the generosity you brought daily,” she added. “It was an honor to share the screen and the set with such talent. To the ChiHards: thanks for welcoming me, rooting for me, and showing Kiana love.”