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Chicago PD fans were caught off guard when Patrick John Flueger, who has been portraying Officer Adam Ruzek since the show's initial premiere in 2014, told supporters he would be leaving the NBC series. The actor, who has been a mainstay on the Chicago PD cast for over a decade, announced the news through a heartfelt Instagram post, leaving fans stunned as to why the decision was made.
The announcement is a short-term leave, not a permanent exit. It's for personal reasons. Fans might be overemphasizing the timing, but NBC and Flueger himself have kept mum, being professional about his choice. Let's see what's officially been made public so far.
Patrick John Flueger's announcement caught Chicago PD fans
Patrick John Flueger announced his exit on his official Instagram page, thanking the Chicago PD cast and fans for their support. His notice was not divulging details but stating that he was taking a break to attend to personal issues. The notice was reactive, genuine, and thankful in tone, emphasizing the importance of the character Adam Ruzek and his Chicago PD experience to him throughout the years.
Websites such as Deadline, People, and EW corroborated the story shortly after his announcement went out. Deadline explained that the star's temporary departure was internally accepted by producers and NBC. It was friendly and with the full backing of the Chicago PD creative team.
There were no controversies, disputes, or reported creative differences, but a personal choice to take a step back.
A fixture on Chicago PD
Patrick John Flueger has been a presence most familiar to the Chicago PD since its first season. As Officer Adam Ruzek, he was instrumental in making the show's emotional and moral center. His character has worked on large arcs, undercover cases, to complex relationships in the Intelligence Unit.
For 12 seasons, Flueger's performances provided the show with depth and realism, and he is an emotional anchor. The showrunners have remained silent regarding the duration for which the actor's absence will be maintained and whether Ruzek's temporary departure will be scripted in the series as a personal leave, transfer, or extended leave.
NBC has stuck to its guns that the exit of Flueger is not permanent, and an official exit from the series is not yet confirmed. According to People, the actor is on vacation on hiatus to address some personal issues. Most notably, no sign of any artistic disagreement or studio conflict has been indicated.
The only consistent word in all the confirmed reports is that Patrick John Flueger's departure from Chicago PD is amicable and approved by the production team. While the show representatives remained mum about the specifics, the tone on all official levels has been low-key and respectful, keeping the actor's privacy in consideration.
What does this imply for Chicago PD Season 13
With Chicago PD Season 13 already under production, Flueger's hiatus has left fans speculating how the show would deal with his absence. According to Parade and The Wrap, the showrunners have allegedly made some rearrangements in the shooting schedules and scripts due to the absence.
Chicago PD prides itself on handling ensemble storylines, and the showrunners have done so with such gaps in the past. There are also other series regulars, such as Jason Beghe and Tracy Spiridakos, who have had season breaks without disrupting the rhythm of the show.
Perhaps fans can hope for Ruzek's arc to be left unfinished, open to a return whenever Flueger is able to come back.
The meaning of his absence from the show
Patrick John Flueger's temporary exit is sure to create an actual void in Chicago PD. His role has been at the center of much of the series' main plotlines, particularly in the last few seasons. On undercover assignments, tearful storylines, or team dynamics, Ruzek's role always had a way of grounding the Intelligence Unit.
But Chicago PD was always going to be the kind of show that could change with its ensemble. The procedural structure makes it possible to rotate characters and exercise flexibility in storytelling. The viewers will miss Flueger, naturally, but the show's foundation remains secure and the door wide open for his return at whatever time he wishes.
Respect for privacy and team support
All the official communications are based on one theme: respect for Flueger's privacy. NBC, Wolf Entertainment, and producers have remained quiet on anything else except confirming the leave. This response is an indicator of a culture of empathy that's now the norm in dealing with personal issues regarding actors of long-running shows.
Therefore, Patrick John Flueger's leaving Chicago PD isn't a departure; it's a voluntary stepping aside for personal reasons. The actor's statement, backed up by official statements from several sources, keeps to a basic truth: sometimes even long-time cast members must take time to attend to life outside the show.
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Chicago PD fans can rest assured that all this is not the end of Adam Ruzek. Though he will be greatly missed, his door for return still exists. At the moment, everyone is worried about providing him with his space and sending positive wishes his way as he is out of sight.
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