Share and Follow
Tracy Spiridakos and Jesse Lee Soffer are set to make a much-anticipated return to Chicago P.D. following their character exits, which left fans stunned with the breakup of Upton and Halstead.
NBC revealed on Wednesday, February 4, that the duo will reunite in a special three-part One Chicago crossover event. According to the synopsis for the episode airing on Wednesday, March 4, Upton steps back into familiar territory, but this time she’s operating on a federal level as an FBI Special Agent. She is set to join forces with her former colleagues from the police department after a drug enforcement task force case from her Detroit field office leads her back to Chicago.
Meanwhile, Halstead has taken on a new role with the Army in Bolivia, where he is involved in tracking drug cartel operations. His deep undercover mission eventually intersects with the very investigation Upton is pursuing.
This episode will mark Soffer’s first on-screen return since his exit in season 10. Although he stepped away from acting on the show, he has directed three episodes of Chicago P.D. since then. Spiridakos, on the other hand, left the series during season 11.
In the One Chicago universe, created by Dick Wolf, unexpected character exits are not uncommon. Since the franchise’s inception with Chicago Fire in 2012, followed by Chicago P.D. in 2014 and Chicago Med in 2015, viewers have grown accustomed to dramatic twists and turns that keep them on the edge of their seats.
“I decided at the end of my sixth season (a.k.a. season 10 of the series),” she told Variety in May 2024. “Which is when I had reached out to [showrunner] Gwen [Sigan] and to everyone at Wolf to let them know that I just wanted to do one more year.”
Spiridakos said the decision was “very, very hard,” adding, “I was just curious what was out there for me and wanted to switch it up, and that was it.”
Halstead and Upton ultimately got a divorce due to their actors’ respective exits. Despite the sad ending on screen, Spiridakos posted a sweet message after Soffer’s exit.
Jesse Lee Soffer as Jay Halstead and Tracy Spiridakos as Hailey. Lori Allen/NBC
“I guess the word is out. Jesse, what can I say, you’re the absolute best. Thank you for your kindness, your guidance and your friendship,” Spiridakos wrote via Instagram in 2022. “You’re the greatest onscreen husband a girl could ask for. I’ll miss being on set with you every day. I can’t wait to see what the world has in store for you next. #upsteadforever.”
Spiridakos and Soffer have since sparked romance rumors but have opted to remain largely tight-lipped about their relationship status. Spiridakos is next set to star on USA Network’s Anna Pigeon.
Soffer, meanwhile, remained in the Dick Wolf world after scoring a role as Wes on FBI: International.
The One Chicago franchise is known for its frequent exits at this point, but Sophia Bush and more stars have not slowed down since walking away from Chicago P.D., Chicago Fire or Chicago Med. Bush, for one, spoke out about her departure from Chicago P.D. after season 4. “I realized that as I was thinking […]
“On [Chicago] P.D., Halstead had a lot of baggage by the end of 10 seasons,” Soffer exclusively told Us Weekly in October 2024 of his former detective character. “There’s someone [who has] gone through a lot of traumatic stuff.”
Soffer teased how Wes was “totally new” with a “different demeanor” and a “different attitude.”
“Obviously, I love Wolf films and they’re near and dear to my heart. To get this opportunity was like, ‘Oh, no, this was not on my radar at all, but OK, let’s do it,’” he recalled. “[There was] no way of predicting it. No way of knowing.”
CBS ultimately canceled FBI: International in March after four seasons.
The One Chicago crossover event airs on NBC Wednesday, March 4, at 8 p.m. ET.