Tracy Spiridakos to Depart Chicago PD Following Season 11

Summary

Hailey Upton actor Tracy Spiridakos will be leaving Chicago PD after season 1

Unclear how many episodes she'll appear in before her exit.

Tracy Spiridakos is confirmed to exit the One Chicago police procedural, according to Variety.

It is unclear how many episodes Tracy Spiridakos will appear in before her departure from Chicago PD. The actress, known for her role as Hailey Upton, has confirmed that she will be leaving the show. Spiridakos joined the cast in season 4 to fill the gap left by Sophia Bush's departure. Although she wasn't part of the original cast, Spiridakos is one of the longest-standing members of the Chicago PD cast, so her absence will be felt on the NBC series.

Per Variety, it has been reported that Spiridakos will be departing the One Chicago police procedural after season 11. However, it remains uncertain how many episodes she will appear in before her exit from Chicago PD. This news comes just a year after Jesse Lee Soffer, her on-screen partner, concluded his long tenure as Jay Halstead in the project. Neither Spiridakos nor NBC have provided any comments on this matter.

Why Upton May Be Leaving Intelligence in Chicago PD Season 11

The police procedural that was anticipated to have a banner year ended up facing its toughest challenges yet. Chicago PD season 10 fell short of captivating its typically engaged audience due to a combination of factors, primarily the departure of Halstead. Soffer's exit created a division among viewers, as many criticized the peculiar manner in which his character left Upton, played by Spiridakos, despite their recent marriage. Rather than provide a definitive conclusion for the couple, NBC left their romantic future uncertain for some time, until Upton seemingly came to terms with the reality that their relationship had ended.

Chicago PD season 10 concluded with Upton appearing determined to start anew, leaving her failed marriage in the past. However, Spiridakos' upcoming departure from the show provides a chance for her and Halstead to reconcile. To address Halstead's tarnished reputation and provide a suitable exit for Upton's character, reuniting them seems like the best solution. In such a scenario, Upton's decision to prioritize her relationship with Halstead over staying with Hank Voight and Intelligence would be reasonable, as their relationship would have no future if she remains in Chicago.

While Upton may have a promising future after leaving Intelligence, her exit leaves Voight's team understaffed. With the loss of both Halstead and Upton within a short period, the team must recruit additional personnel to assist in their operations. The announcement of any new Chicago PD characters by NBC prior to the season 11 premiere remains uncertain. However, it is hard to imagine that Wolf Entertainment is not actively considering their options for the future.

Source: Variety