Chicago P.D. actor Patrick John Flueger is stepping away from the popular police drama for a while to deal with a personal matter.
Flueger, 41, who plays Detective Adam Ruzek on the long-running NBC series, is expected to return later this season, according to PEOPLE. The news was first reported by Deadline.
The actor has been part of the show since 2014 and recently saw his character tie the knot with Detective Kim Burgess, played by Marina Squerciati, in the season 12 finale. The two characters share an adopted daughter, Makayla, and their relationship has been one of the show’s most beloved storylines.
Squerciati, who is also 41, previously spoke fondly about working with Flueger.
“Patty and I have great chemistry and he’s my best friend in the whole world,” she said. “He truly is one of my closest friends. I think that chemistry just shows, and we love working together.”
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Speaking about their on-screen wedding, Squerciati added, “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 ceremony marked the show’s first official wedding scene.
Flueger’s temporary break follows a similar move by Chicago Fire star Taylor Kinney, who took a leave of absence in 2023 to address a personal matter. Kinney, 44, later returned to his role as Lieutenant Kelly Severide after 10 months.
Kinney’s character, first introduced in 2012, has become a central figure in NBC’s One Chicago universe, which includes Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med.
Earlier this year, on January 29, all three shows had a major crossover event that brought characters from the three series together after a gas explosion threatened lives across Chicago — including those in Firehouse 51, Gaffney Medical Center, and the Intelligence Unit.
