Tracy Spiridakos exitedChicago PDafter season 11, and as the TV show heads into its thirteenth season, it’s quite unlikely that the actress will return. The good news is that it would be better if Spiridakos’Chicago PDcharacter, Hailey Upton, didn’t come back. However, that doesn’t mean that she should stay away from the NBC police procedural forever.
When viewers last saw Upton, she was saying goodbye to the Intelligence Unitduring theChicago PDseason 11 finale. She finally accepted the truth, which was that she needed a change.Upton had been stuck in a rut since Jay Halstead left,and she could only break out of it via a fresh start. Unfortunately, Upton couldn’t do that in Chicago.
Anna Pigeon Is A New USA Network Show
Spiridakos leftChicago PDto pursue other opportunities, and a little more than a year after her exit, the actress has found her next project. According to a report fromDeadline, Spiridakos was cast to play the titular role in the upcoming USA Network TV seriesAnna Pigeon. The formerChicago PDcast member’s new character is being described as:
“A former city slicker who became a park ranger after a devastating loss changed the trajectory of her life forever. While Anna tries to outrun her demons, her focus turns to solving crimes that have taken place within national park grounds, no matter who or what gets in her way.”
Morwyn Brebner will serve as the showrunner and executive producer forAnna Pigeon, based on Nevada Barr’s extensive book series of the same name.Meanwhile, Lea Thompson is on board to direct episodes and executive produce. OtherAnna Pigeoncast members (and their characters), aside from Spiridakos as Anna Pigeon, have yet to be confirmed.
According to one of Spiridako’sInstagramposts, the cast and crew have already started filmingAnna Pigeon. Production kicked off during the week of July 18, 2025, and it’s unclear how long it will last. What we do know, though, is thatthe upcoming USA Network TV series is scheduled to premiere sometime in 2026.
Spiridakos’s New Show Confirms Upton’s Chicago PD Return Is Unlikely
The Actress Will Have A Busy Schedule
Given thatSpiridakos will be busy working onAnna Pigeonin the coming months,her potential return toChicago PDin season 13 is improbable. Even if she were to only reprise her role as a guest star, the actress’s return totheOne Chicagouniversewould still be tricky. It’s difficult for networks and producers to manage filming schedules as is.
So, while it’s exciting that Spiridakos is joining the cast of another show, fans might be disappointed to learn that it lessens her chances of coming back toChicago PD. At least,viewers shouldn’t expect Upton to appear in Chicago in the near future.PerhapsChicago PDseason 13will provide an update on Upton’s whereabouts, but that’s the best fans will get.
On the bright side, Spiridakos leading the cast of the upcoming USA Network seriesAnna Pigeondoesn’t signify her permanent absence fromChicago PD. TheOne ChicagoTV showisn’t ending anytime soon. Consequently,there will be plenty more chances for Upton to rejoin her Intelligence family in the Windy City(although she shouldn’t return in season 13).
Upton Shouldn’t Come Back To Chicago PD (At Least, For Now)
Chicago PD Doesn’t Need Upton In Season 13
Yes, Upton has been sorely missed inChicago PDsince her exit. However, it would be for the best if Spiridakos' character stayed away from Chicago for now.The other police officers and detectives are still trying to find their groove without Upton,and it certainly doesn’t help that Intelligence islosing its newest member inChicago PDseason 13.
Kim Burgess became a detective inChicago PDseason 12, which helped fill the role that Upton left vacant when she moved out of Chicago.
Toya Turner, who played Kiana Cook, served asSpiridakos' replacement in theChicago PDcast. Now, she’s leaving, too. Another new actress is taking her place (Arienne Mandi, who will portray Officer Naomi Kerr) in season 13, meaning Intelligence will have to undergo even more changes. As such,Upton’s return would mess with the new flow that the characters are attempting to perfect.
Plus,if Spiridakos were to reprise her role as Upton inChicago PD, it would ideally be alongside Jesse Lee Soffer’s Jay Halstead.And, unfortunately, he’s probably not coming back. At least, as an actor, since Soffer has directed a few episodes. So, although Soffer’s new series,FBI: International, has been canceled, there has been no talk of him returning toChicago PD.
Arienne Mandi
Naomi Kerr
It also hasn’t been that long since Spiridakos left thecop show, andher sudden return would cheapen her heartfelt exit.Upton had been lost since she and Halstead divorced. It was time for her to move on from Chicago and all the memories she had made with Halstead there. If Upton came back just one year later, her previous exit would feel meaningless.
However,Upton could still return to Intelligence one day.There just has to be enough time between her departure and return to make it feel authentic instead of like the writers are making the move to appeal to fans. Ultimately, we should never say never when it comes to Spiridakos rejoining theChicago PDcast; it just won’t happen in season 13.
Chicago PDseason 13 premieres on Wednesday, October 1, at 10 pm ET (preceded byChicago Medseason 11 at 8 pm ET andChicago Fireseason 14 at 9 pm ET) on NBC.
