As Tracy Spiridakos Sends ‘Mad Love’ For Chicago P.D. Premiere Day, Here’s How The Former Star’s Absence Is Already Affecting Season 12

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As Tracy Spiridakos Sends 'Mad Love' For Chicago P.D. Premiere Day, Here's How The Former Star's Absence Is Already Affecting Season 12

As a gamer who has spent countless hours binge-watching One Chicago shows, I must say that the absence of Tracy Spiridakos as Hailey Upton in Season 12 of Chicago P.D. feels like a missing puzzle piece. It’s been a part of my TV routine since 2017, and her character was instrumental in creating some of the most memorable moments in the series.

In the 2024 television lineup, the twelfth season of Chicago P.D. debuted without Tracy Spiridakos for the first time since season 4 in 2017. The actress bid farewell to “One Chicago” in the spring and gave the showrunner and writers ample time to plan her departure. This allowed Upton to depart the Windy City alive and on a path to recovery. In a heartfelt gesture, Spiridakos expressed warm sentiments towards her former show as it returned to NBC, reminding us of what the showrunner had shared about the Intelligence Unit without Upton in season 12.

Tracy Spiridakos Sent Her Love

It’s pretty clear that there’s no bad blood left behind with Tracy Spiridakos’ exit from Chicago P.D.. The actress took to Instagram to post a smiling selfie and a sweet message to the people who are still involved in One Chicago’s popular cop drama. Take a look:

A post shared by Tracy Spiridakos (@spiridakos)

A photo posted by on

  • Marina Squerciati: “OMG I MISS YOU”
  • Patrick John Flueger: “U look lovely as the day is new Tracil!”
  • LaRoyce Hawkins: “Miss you Tracle✨ #StayUpton”
  • Sara Bues: “Gorg ❤️”

It seems unlikely that Upton will make a guest appearance soon, given the probability of Chicago crossovers. However, the Season 11 finale didn’t completely rule out her return as definitively as how Chicago P.D. concluded Halstead’s storyline. I believe it’s reasonable to assume that her former cast members would be happy to have her back on set. For now, it’s worth considering what the showrunner mentioned about the Intelligence Unit proceeding without the detective.

What Gwen Sigan Said About The “Vacuum” Without Upton

In Season 12’s opening, Upton was frequently referenced, yet most characters appeared to have progressed significantly over the time leap, except for Burgess who was absent. Interestingly, she was the last detective in the unit before her departure, and the team’s dynamic noticeably changed when someone else joined. Regrettably, that new addition won’t be present anymore following her demise at the end of the episode, but a fresh recruit is expected to join later on.

During a conversation with showrunner Gwen Sigan regarding the twelfth season of Chicago P.D., I inquired about the impact of Upton’s absence on the team and her response was that:

Absolutely! It was satisfying that her character’s departure wasn’t sad, but rather filled with hope. To me, these characters will continue to be part of each other’s lives. I envision Ruzek and Burgess still keeping in touch with her, Atwater contacting her frequently, and it’s not as if she’s completely gone from their lives for good, which is comforting. However, I believe the void she left within the unit is significant. She held a lot of importance to many people there, and her role within the unit was quite exceptional, particularly for Voight. She grew to be almost his confidante in various ways, and in many aspects, a surrogate daughter.

Since Upton was pondering her choices during the last moments of Season 11 finale of Chicago P.D., and the series didn’t reveal where she went next, I’m eager to learn about what she’s been doing lately, even if it’s through one of the characters filling us in. Given that the showrunner mentioned how significant Upton was to those she left behind, we’ve already glimpsed her influence on Voight, and I’d be interested in seeing more of how her absence affects the rest of the team.

This development certainly provides an opportunity for fresh dynamics and the arrival of new members. Our cherished characters will have to adapt to their roles within the team, which can be intriguing to watch. Essentially, it’s about exploring, “What new possibilities does this present?” It’s a chance to view things optimistically, asking questions like, “With this detective no longer here, what implications might this have for the team as a work group? How will they need to adjust and evolve?

It’s likely that one of our veteran officers – Atwater, Burgess, or Ruzek – might earn their detective stripes this autumn. LaRoyce Hawkins hinted earlier in the year that Atwater was moving towards becoming a detective, while also praising Burgess and Ruzek. Could it be that the departure of Upton opens up an opportunity for another officer to step up and get promoted?

Luckily, the series Chicago P.D. has returned with fresh episodes that may help resolve that query more quickly. P.D. will carry on being broadcast every Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET on NBC, following Chicago Fire at 9 p.m. ET and Chicago Med at 8 p.m. ET. Additionally, you can catch up on Tracy Spiridakos’ seasons of Chicago P.D. as Hailey Upton by streaming them right now on Peacock.

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2024-09-29 16:07