After seven powerful seasons as Detective Hailey Upton, Tracy Spiridakos has officially said goodbye to Chicago P.D.—and her exit has left both fans and cast members reeling. The Canadian-born actress, who joined the show in Season 4 and quickly became a fan favorite, delivered one final, emotional performance before walking away from the role that defined a major chapter of her career.
Spiridakos’s final episode was as emotionally charged as the character herself. In true Chicago P.D. fashion, Upton didn’t go out with fanfare or explosions—she exited quietly, heartbreakingly, and with the same emotional depth that made her so beloved. A woman hardened by trauma but fueled by justice, Upton’s final moments captured the essence of a detective who gave everything she had—to the job, to her team, and to her love, Jay Halstead. Fans were quick to notice how Upton’s departure was not about closure, but about realism. There was pain, uncertainty, and quiet strength. And that made it all the more gut-wrenching.
In a heartfelt farewell posted to social media, Spiridakos thanked her castmates, the crew, and the millions of fans who supported her journey. “Playing Hailey Upton has been the honor of a lifetime,” she wrote. “This role challenged me, changed me, and gave me a second family. I will forever carry her strength with me.” She also paid tribute to her on-screen partner and former love interest, Jesse Lee Soffer (Jay Halstead), who had previously exited the show in Season 10. “Hailey and Jay’s story was one I’ll always treasure. Their bond was real, and playing that love helped me grow as both an actress and a person.”
When Spiridakos first joined Chicago P.D., many saw her as a replacement—brought in after the departure of Sophia Bush’s Erin Lindsay. But it didn’t take long for her to establish herself as a force of her own. Upton’s fierce commitment to justice, her moral conflict, and her emotional vulnerability created a rich, layered character that became a cornerstone of the Intelligence Unit. From hostage situations to undercover missions to navigating her own buried traumas, Upton evolved into one of the show’s most compelling figures. Her departure marks not just the end of an era—but the loss of one of the unit’s emotional anchors.
Upton’s goodbye wasn’t just emotional for fans—it deeply affected the cast and crew. LaRoyce Hawkins (Atwater) called Spiridakos “a light on set, and a warrior on screen.” Marina Squerciati (Burgess) admitted she cried when she found out Spiridakos was leaving, begging her co-star to reconsider. “It won’t be the same without her,” she said.
Even behind the scenes, showrunners noted the unique weight Spiridakos brought to the role. “Tracy gave us more than we ever expected,” one producer shared. “She made Hailey Upton unforgettable.” Though Spiridakos has yet to confirm her next project, she’s hinted at taking time to reset and explore new opportunities—possibly beyond the world of crime dramas. “I’ve been working non-stop for years,” she said. “Now I want to take a breath and choose my next step carefully.”
Many fans are hopeful she’ll return to television or even make a surprise guest appearance down the road. In the One Chicago universe, anything is possible—and as long as Jay Halstead’s name lives on, so too does the memory of Hailey Upton. Tracy Spiridakos may be gone from Chicago P.D., but she will never be forgotten. Through every chase, every interrogation, and every tearful scene, she left a lasting impact—not just on the show, but on millions of viewers who saw strength, pain, and resilience in her performance. Her goodbye wasn’t just an ending. It was a legacy.
