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'Chicago P.D.' actor Patrick John Flueger is stepping away from the show temporarily to focus on personal matters, People has confirmed.
Flueger, 41, who has played Officer Adam Ruzek since 2014, will take a short leave of absence from NBC's long-running police drama. According to sources close to the production, the actor's break is described as "personal," though details remain private. The show's writers are reportedly adjusting upcoming scripts to accommodate his absence, with plans for Ruzek's eventual return later in the season.
Flueger's departure comes shortly after his character's on-screen wedding to Detective Kim Burgess (played by Marina Squerciati) in the Season 12 finale, a moment fans had anticipated for years. The pair's relationship, one of the franchise's most enduring arcs, began in the early seasons of the show. Together, the couple shares a daughter, Makayla, whom they adopted in Season 8.
Squerciati, 41, has previously spoken highly of her co-star, describing their connection as both professional and personal. "Patty and I have great chemistry, he's my best friend in the whole world," she told PEOPLE. "That chemistry just shows on camera, and we love working together."
Flueger's temporary exit echoes a similar situation within the "One Chicago" universe. In 2023, Chicago Fire star Taylor Kinney took a months-long leave for personal reasons before returning later that year. NBC and Wolf Entertainment, the studio behind all three Chicago shows, have long maintained a reputation for supporting cast members during challenging times.
Despite the adjustment, production on Chicago P.D. Season 13 continues as scheduled. Storylines involving Sergeant Hank Voight's Intelligence Unit, including fallout from the events surrounding Deputy Chief Charlie Reid, will remain central as the show moves forward.↳
