Tracy Spiridakos is stepping into a whole new kind of badge — and this time, it comes with hiking boots, sweeping mountain views, and a noticeably lighter tone.
Best known for her intense, emotionally charged performance as Detective Hailey Upton on Chicago P.D., Spiridakos is now leading USA Network’s upcoming drama Anna Pigeon, a series that trades Chicago’s gritty streets for the breathtaking wilderness of America’s national parks. And according to the actress herself, the shift couldn’t be more refreshing.
After years of portraying a character weighed down by trauma, moral dilemmas, and high-stakes investigations, Spiridakos describes her new project as “much more light-hearted and fun” — a dramatic change from the relentless seriousness that defined her time on Chicago P.D.
In Anna Pigeon, Spiridakos plays the title character, a park ranger who investigates crimes that unfold in some of the country’s most scenic and remote locations. Rather than interrogation rooms and flashing police lights, the series leans into open landscapes, natural beauty, and a sense of adventure that gives the show a very different rhythm.
“Chicago P.D. lived in a very heavy emotional space,” Spiridakos has said of her former role. “This new series allows for humor, warmth, and moments of levity, even while still telling compelling crime stories.”
That balance is central to Anna Pigeon’s appeal. While the show still revolves around mysteries and investigations, it’s less about procedural intensity and more about character-driven storytelling. Anna isn’t just solving crimes — she’s navigating isolation, healing, and self-discovery, all while forming unexpected connections in the wilderness she protects.
For Spiridakos, that tonal shift was a big draw. After nearly a decade immersed in the dark and often tragic world of Chicago P.D., the actress was ready for something that felt emotionally lighter without sacrificing depth. Anna Pigeon offers exactly that: a protagonist who is sharp and capable, but also dryly funny, curious, and quietly resilient.
The setting plays a huge role as well. Filmed against stunning natural backdrops, the series uses its environments almost as characters themselves. Forests, mountains, and wide-open skies replace cramped urban spaces, creating a sense of freedom that mirrors Anna’s personal journey. It’s a visual reset not just for Spiridakos’ career, but for audiences used to seeing her in dark, rain-soaked city scenes.
Fans of Chicago P.D. will still recognize the qualities that made Spiridakos a standout: her intensity, her emotional honesty, and her ability to convey strength beneath vulnerability. But Anna Pigeon allows her to explore a softer, more playful side — one that leans into wit and warmth as much as grit.
USA Network appears to be betting on that versatility. With Anna Pigeon, the network blends crime drama with elements of adventure and character study, aiming to attract viewers who enjoy mysteries but also crave escapism and heart.
For Spiridakos, the series marks an exciting new chapter — one that honors her past while opening the door to new creative possibilities. “It feels like a breath of fresh air,” she’s said, and that sentiment comes through clearly in the show’s tone.
After years of emotional intensity, Tracy Spiridakos is proving she can still command the screen — this time with a smile, a mystery, and miles of wilderness stretching out ahead.
