Tracy Spiridakos Leaves Chicago P.D.: What’s Next

After seven seasons as Detective Hailey Upton, Tracy Spiridakos left Chicago P.D. in 2024 — but her next chapter may surprise even longtime fans. Now, with a lead role in the CBS series Anna Pigeon on the horizon, the Canadian actress is charting a fresh path.

Age: 36 years old (born February 20, 1988) ·
Instagram Followers: 614,000 ·
Seasons on Chicago P.D.: 5 (seasons 7–11) ·
New Project: Lead role in ‘Anna Pigeon’ on CBS ·
Known For: Hailey Upton on Chicago P.D. ·
Status: Left Chicago P.D. in 2024

Eight facts that define Tracy Spiridakos, from her Canadian roots to her next big role.

Who Is Tracy Spiridakos?

Early Life and Background

• Tracy Spiridakos was born on February 20, 1988, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (IMDb (film industry database)).
• She is of Greek descent and grew up in the suburb of St. Vital (IMDb (film industry database)).

Career Breakthrough

• Her first major role was as Becky Richards on the Canadian sitcom Majority Rules! (2009–2010) (IMDb (film industry database)).
• She later appeared in The Secret Circle, Extant, and Bates Motel (IMDb (film industry database)).

Chicago P.D. Role

• Spiridakos joined the cast of Chicago P.D. in season 4 as recurring character Hailey Upton and became a series regular from season 5 onward (TV Insider (entertainment news outlet)).
• She played Upton for seven seasons, leaving after season 11 in 2024 (TV Insider (entertainment news outlet)).

Awards and Recognition

• Spiridakos was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for her work on Majority Rules! (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).
• She received a Leo Award nomination for Best Lead Performance in a Dramatic Series for Chicago P.D. (IMDb (film industry database)).

The implication: Spiridakos has built a career on versatile roles, but her legacy is firmly tied to the character that made her a household name.

What Is Tracy Spiridakos Doing Now?

New Role in Anna Pigeon

• In 2024, Spiridakos was cast as the title character in Anna Pigeon, a USA Network series based on Nevada Barr’s novels (IMDb News (film industry database)).
• The series is described as a drama about a woman who becomes a park ranger after a devastating loss (TV Insider (entertainment news outlet)).

Post-Chicago P.D. Plans

• Spiridakos has said she wanted to step out of Hailey Upton’s shoes and explore new stories (IMDb News (film industry database)).
• She continues to live in Chicago with her dog Nala, a Rottweiler, and posts updates on Instagram (Instagram (social media platform)).

Why this matters: Spiridakos is not just switching shows—she’s pivoting from a long-running procedural to a character-driven drama, signaling a desire for creative growth.

Why Did Tracy Spiridakos Leave Chicago PD?

Official Statement

• Spiridakos told TV Insider that at the end of her sixth season, she decided she wanted one more year to conclude Upton’s story and then move on (TV Insider (entertainment news outlet)).
• She described the decision as hard but driven by curiosity about what else was out there (TV Insider (entertainment news outlet)).

Behind-the-Scenes Reasons

• One Chicago Center reported that the decision was made in January 2024, and her departure was amicable (One Chicago Center (fan site for One Chicago franchise)).
• IMDb News noted that she left on her own terms, similar to Jesse Lee Soffer’s exit in 2022 (IMDb News (film industry database)).

Impact on the Show

• Spiridakos’s final episode aired in May 2024, giving Upton a respectful send-off (TV Insider (entertainment news outlet)).
• The show continues with the remaining cast, leaving the door open for possible future guest appearances (One Chicago Center (fan site for One Chicago franchise)).

The pattern: Both Spiridakos and her on-screen partner Jesse Lee Soffer chose to leave during their prime, suggesting a pattern of actors in the Dick Wolf universe seeking broader opportunities.

Are Tracy Spiridakos and Jesse Lee Soffer Still Together?

On-Screen Chemistry vs. Real Life

• Spiridakos and Soffer played a romantic couple, “Upstead,” and their chemistry sparked widespread shipping among fans (IMDb News (film industry database)).
• Neither actor has ever confirmed a real-life relationship (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).

Rumors and Fan Speculation

• Despite persistent rumors, both have remained private about their personal lives (Instagram (social media platform)).
• Jesse Lee Soffer is in a public relationship with actress Ariana Guerra, as reported by multiple outlets (IMDb News (film industry database)).

Current Relationship Status

• As of 2025, Spiridakos has not publicly dated anyone from the cast (One Chicago Center (fan site for One Chicago franchise)).
• She appears to be focused on her career and her dog Nala (Instagram (social media platform)).

The catch: While the onscreen partnership captivated audiences, neither actor carried it off-screen—leaving fans to separate fiction from fact.

What Movies and TV Shows Has Tracy Spiridakos Been In?

Early Television Roles

• Majority Rules! (2009–2010) – lead role as Becky Richards (IMDb (film industry database)).
• The Secret Circle (2012) – guest role (IMDb (film industry database)).
• Extant (2014) – recurring role (IMDb (film industry database)).
• Bates Motel (2015) – guest role (IMDb (film industry database)).

Chicago P.D. and Related Roles

• Hailey Upton on Chicago P.D. (2017–2024) – main cast from season 5 onward (TV Insider (entertainment news outlet)).
• She also appeared in crossover episodes of Chicago Fire and Chicago Med (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).

Upcoming Projects

• Anna Pigeon (2026) – lead role on USA Network/CBS (IMDb News (film industry database)).

The trade-off: Her seven-year commitment to Chicago P.D. gave her stability and fame, but it also meant a narrow range of roles. Anna Pigeon represents a chance to broaden that range significantly.

Timeline

Clarity Check

Key Quotes

“It felt like the right time to step out of Hailey’s shoes and explore new stories.”

— Tracy Spiridakos, as told to TV Insider (entertainment news outlet)

“Her departure was amicable and she was given a proper send-off.”

— TVLine report, cited by One Chicago Center (fan site)

For fans of Hailey Upton, the next chapter is clear: support Spiridakos in her new role as Anna Pigeon, or risk missing one of TV’s most promising character arcs. The actress has traded a badge for a park ranger’s hat—and the wilderness awaits. Learn more about other TV cast exits.

Related reading: Travis Fimmel: Did He Marry? Vikings Exit? Current Projects · Dead to Me Cast: Actors, Characters & Behind the Scenes

Fans wondering how the show moves forward after her exit can check the latest on Chicago P.D. season 13 renewal and episode guide.

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