Chicago P.D. has lost many characters over the course of its 11 seasons (as any show would if it lasted that long), and one of its most significant exits was Hailey Upton during the season 11 finale. Tracy Spiridakos joined the Chicago P.D. cast as Upton towards the end of season 4 in 2017 and became a series regular by the next season. As many will recall, Spiridakos was Sophia Bush’s replacement after she left the NBC police procedural in season 4. Bush’s Erin Lindsay exited Chicago P.D., and Upton became the newest member of the Intelligence Unit.

Spiridakos stayed with Chicago P.D. for more than seven seasons, even after the actor who played her character’s husband (Jesse Lee Soffer) departed in season 10. However, NBC announced in late 2023 that Chicago P.D. season 11 would be Spiridakos’ last as she was set to exit following the finale. Of course, many were upset as they had grown attached to Upton throughout her seven seasons on the show and were confused as to why Spiridakos was leaving.

Tracy Spiridakos Left Chicago P.D. To Pursue Other Opportunities

Spiridakos Played Upton For 7 Years

Unfortunately, Tracy Spiridakos didn’t reveal the reason behind her departure until one day before Upton’s final Chicago P.D. episode premiered in May 2024. During an interview with Variety, Spiridakos gave context behind why she chose to leave the NBC police procedural series. The actress explained:

“I decided at the end of my sixth season, which is when I had 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. I wanted us to send out the character with one last season. 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.”

It’s not unusual for actors and actresses to make the hard decision to leave a television show they have starred in for many years because they are eager to seek out other opportunities. Following the Chicago P.D. season 10 finale (Spiridakos’ sixth full season), the actress decided she had one more season left in her before she would move on to the next project. It was as simple as that. Spiridakos understandably wanted a change in her acting career, and the only way to do so was to exit Chicago P.D.

How Chicago P.D. Season 11 Wrote Out Hailey Upton

Upton Left Chicago

When an actor or actress decides to leave a television show, their characters are often killed as an excuse as to why they are no longer in the episodes. Thankfully, Chicago P.D. didn’t take this route with Tracy Spiridakos’ Upton, who is still very much alive after the season 11 finale. Chicago P.D. has had its fair share of shocking deaths over the course of its 11 seasons, but Upton wasn’t one of them. Instead, Upton quit the Intelligence Unit and left Chicago.

During the Chicago P.D. season 11 finale’s final moments, Upton and Hank Voight shared a raw, emotional conversation about Upton’s future. She explained that she didn’t want to leave the Intelligence Unit or any of the people in it. However, Voight pushed, knowing that Upton needed a change and wanted more for herself, especially after Halstead abandoned her. Voight encouraged Upton to do what was best for her.

So, Spiridakos’ character left the team and began searching for a new job (the FBI, FEMA, and DEA were all options). Then, Upton hopped in a taxi and headed towards the airport. When the driver asked her where she was going, Upton smiled, and the Chicago P.D. season 11 finale ended without revealing her answer. Just like that, the Intelligence Unit will have to start looking for Upton’s replacement in Chicago P.D. season 12.

Will Tracy Spiridakos’ Upton Return To Chicago P.D.?

Spiridakos Could Easily Reprise Her Role In The Future

The good news is that Chicago P.D. left the door open just in case Tracy Spiridakos ever wants to reprise her role as Upton in the future. The writers didn’t kill Upton or make it so that she would never be able to interact with the characters ever again or come back to Chicago. It would be very easy to plan Upton’s return (whether brief or long-term).

Perhaps she is now an FBI agent and one of her cases brings her back to the Windy City. Or Upton might just want to see her former co-workers again. Nevertheless, Upton leaving Chicago P.D. will change the Intelligence Unit’s dynamic, but it’s not goodbye forever (hopefully).

Source: Variety