‘Chicago P.D.’: Patrick John Flueger’s Unexpected Absence From Show Explained
Chicago P.D. is down a cast member as Patrick John Flueger is taking a sudden leave of absence from the show to deal with a personal matter.
As first reported by Deadline, Flueger, who plays Adam Ruzek on the hit NBC police drama, has temporarily exited the show to handle a personal situation. He is expected to return later in the season; the show is currently airing its 13th season.
According to Deadline, Flueger’s departure came unexpectedly, and scripts are now being reworked to reflect his character’s absence. A source told the outlet that Flueger has been going through a “difficult period personally,” including “an instance of alcohol use on set.”
Flueger’s Ruzek has been a key part of the show since he joined the cast in 2014, notably for his on-and-off romance with Detective Kim Burgess (Marina Squerciati). Ruzek and Burgess finally tied the knot in the Season 12 finale.
“I wanted the classic wedding. I’m glad it was in a church. I’m glad it was a real wedding. They deserve it,” Squerciati previously told People when speaking about Ruzek and Burgess’ relationship.
“Patty and I have great chemistry and he’s my best friend in the whole world,” she added. “I think that that chemistry just shows and we love working together.”
Season 12 also saw Ruzek’s father, Disco Bob (Jack Coleman), diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Back in January, Flueger spoke with TV Insider about working on this emotional story, praising his co-star Coleman.
“Jack Coleman actually deals with dementia in his own personal life, not for himself, but for a loved one,” Flueger revealed. “So he understands exactly how to tap into that to a degree that — we speed things up because it’s TV, we gotta tell the story the right way, but my God, if he doesn’t just knock this thing out of the park, it’s heartbreaking.”
As for filming the emotional scene where Bob told Ruzek about his diagnosis, Flueger said, “It was tough. It was hard. It was really heartbreaking, but also easy because it was so heartbreaking and that’s how it should be, I suppose.”
This isn’t the first time the Chicago franchise, produced by Universal Television in association with Wolf Entertainment, has accommodated an actor who required a break for personal matters. Taylor Kinney, who plays Lieutenant Kelly Severide on Chicago Fire, previously took a leave of absence and returned to the show 10 months later. Kinney’s absence was also due to him needing to “deal with a personal matter.”
Chicago P.D., Wednesdays, 10/9c, NBC
If you or someone you know has addiction issues, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration‘s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
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O
Hope all goes well with him. I really like him and his character. Hope the powers that be give him all the space he needs and not do something stupid
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K
Don’t go posting stuff about addiction and getting help in same sentence as exposing Pattys absence! It’s disparaging and simply none of our business!! His cat may need help for all we know but that wouldn’t sell so many posts, now would it! Love to Patty!!!
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A
So Scott, when people don’t go through no issues they’re not human. It’s almost like people applauded issues and failure just mention!!🙏🏾 and repeat lots of people in the world and some I know full circle work and don’t👍🏾🙏🏾💪🏾 have substance alcohol or domestic issues including my self . Stop putting everybody in your including situation that you favor.
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A
Well Kathy, some people are concerned and when you have your business and your company, you run it the way you want to it’s so funny how people try to tell other people with successful multi million dollar businesses how to do things so it goes with the territory once you become celebrity or famous then a lot of things will be exposed now if you don’t want those large paychecks and they become famous then stay like you unknown in the bleachers as you comment on everything 🧟🙃😂
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A
Well, who are you referring to him or the production people and that can go for you as well hope you don’t do something stupid yourself. That’s how it sounds. Wow some comments are just unnecessary.
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G
Read on. Production people, bosses etc. Cutting screen time as an example.
Does that clarify it for ya
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C
Who HASN"T let personal issues affect their work? Good to know he's human. Godspeed Patrick.
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