Chicago P.D. has experienced numerous character departures throughout its 11-season tenure, with a notable exit occurring during the season 11 finale: the departure of Hailey Upton. Tracy Spiridakos joined the cast as Upton in 2017, during the latter part of season 4, quickly becoming a series regular in the subsequent season. Her entry was marked by the exit of Sophia Bush’s Erin Lindsay, thus introducing Upton as a new member of the Intelligence Unit.
Why Tracy Spiridakos Departed Chicago P.D.
Seven Years of Playing Upton
Tracy Spiridakos only disclosed her reasons for leaving a day before the airing of Upton’s final episode in May 2024. In an insightful interview with Variety, she elaborated on her choice to depart the NBC police procedural series:
“I decided at the end of my sixth season, which is when I reached out to [Chicago P.D. showrunner] Gwen [Sigan] and to everyone at Wolf to let them know that I just wanted to do one more year. It was a hard decision — very, very hard. I love everybody on the show — cast, crew, producers, writers, everybody. It’s such an incredible team. I was just curious what was out there for me and wanted to switch it up, and that was it.”
This pattern of long-term actors seeking new opportunities is common in television. After season 10, which marked Spiridakos’ sixth complete season, she decided to pursue fresh acting challenges by committing to just one more season. Her desire for a change in her career was clear, leading to her decision to step away from Chicago P.D.
Wrapping Up Hailey Upton’s Story in Season 11
Upton’s Exit from Chicago
Traditionally, when actors exit a series, their characters often meet fatal ends. Fortunately, Chicago P.D. chose to avoid this narrative for Tracy Spiridakos’ character. Rather than killing off Upton, the storyline saw her resign from the Intelligence Unit and leave Chicago.
The emotional finale of season 11 featured a significant conversation between Upton and Hank Voight, where she voiced her reluctance to leave both the Intelligence Unit and her colleagues. However, Voight recognized Upton’s need for personal growth, especially in light of Halstead’s departure, and encouraged her to pursue her aspirations.
In the end, Upton expressed her intention to explore new job opportunities—with the FBI, FEMA, or DEA as potential paths. The episode concluded with Upton boarding a taxi, her destination undisclosed, leaving the Intelligence Unit to find a successor before season 12.
Replacing Hailey Upton in Season 12
Upton’s Replacements in Season 12
As season 12 unfolds, Detective Emily Martel, portrayed by Victoria Cartagena, joins the Chicago P.D. team, having started her role in Intelligence a month post-Upton’s departure. She has a history with Adam Ruzek from their police academy days, fostering camaraderie with other team members. Unfortunately, Martel’s tenure is abruptly cut short when she is fatally shot in the season premiere’s climax.
This tragic incident not only impacts Ruzek but also necessitates Voight to seek yet another replacement. While Toya Turner is set to join the main cast as Kiana Cook, a patrol officer, there are indications that one of the existing team members—Kim Burgess, Atwater, or Ruzek—may be elevated to take Upton’s former detective position.
Could Tracy Spiridakos Return to Chicago P.D.?
Potential for Spiridakos to Reprise Her Role
Fortunately, the Chicago P.D. storyline leaves open the possibility for Tracy Spiridakos to return, as the writers did not eliminate Upton from the narrative nor close off her interactions with the existing characters. This allows for a seamless reintegration of Upton should the opportunity arise, whether for a short stint or a full comeback.
Moreover, Jesse Lee Soffer, who played Jay Halstead, is set to join the cast of FBI: International, following his exit from Chicago P.D. in season 10. Speculations abound about Upton’s future—could she be an FBI agent whose path crosses with her former colleagues? Her return could create exciting narrative opportunities, while her exit has certainly altered the dynamic within the Intelligence Unit, it is not necessarily farewell forever.
Tracy Spiridakos’ Post-Chicago P.D. Journey
Continuing Her Acting Career After Upton
Since leaving Chicago P.D. in 2024, Tracy Spiridakos has made appearances in 3 episodes of Chicago Med and 6 episodes of Chicago Fire, along with one episode of FBI, all of which are part of the Dick Wolf franchise. While she has not yet embarked on a new major project, her career momentum suggests she will soon be back on screens.
Spiridakos boasts an impressive roster of roles throughout her career, including memorable guest appearances on renowned shows such as Supernatural, Bionic Woman, and The L Word. Her journey includes multi-episode roles in Psych, MacGyver, and Bates Motel, before she found her place in the One Chicago universe.
It’s essential to highlight that Hailey Upton isn’t her first significant role. Back in 2010, Spiridakos starred as Becky in the Canadian series Majority Rules! and was nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Charlie Matheson in NBC’s Revolution, which aired from 2012 to 2014. Given her talent and experience, it’s unclear if leaving Chicago P.D. signifies the end of her career on the series, but her future endeavors remain to be seen.
Source: Variety
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