When Tracy Spiridakos departed Chicago P.D. at the end of Season 11 as Detective Hailey Upton, fans were both heartbroken and hopeful. Now, after her exit aired, Spiridakos has quietly opened up about her time on the series—and made it clear that Upton’s story might not be over yet.
In her farewell interviews, Spiridakos emphasized how deeply connected she remains to both the cast and fans. She described the conclusion of Upton’s arc not as a dramatic exit, but a hopeful turning point. Spiridakos even referred to her final episode as “a healing journey,” a character arc designed to honor Upton’s long struggle. She purposely chose to leave after seven seasons so that the character could be written off with dignity and resolution rather than a rushed departure.
When asked about a possible return, Spiridakos didn’t close the door: “I would love to reappear, that would be amazing,” she said, underscoring how much she still values the Chicago PD family and the viewers who supported her.
That sentiment was echoed by showrunner Gwen Sigan, who confirmed that the writers always intended to keep Upton’s future open-ended. She insisted that if Spiridakos ever wished to return and the story allowed for it, the door would always be open.
Spiridakos posted behind-the-scenes photos and heartfelt memories from her time on the show, tagging cast members like Marina Squerciati (Kim Burgess) and Patrick John Flueger (Adam Ruzek). These warm reunions suggest that relationships remain intact—and perhaps that Upton could one day step back into the storyline.
The Season 11 finale, titled “More,” offered viewers some emotional closure. Upton rescues her mentor Voight from a serial killer and then has a moving heart-to-heart with him, after which she describes feeling unfulfilled in her current life path. The final shot of Upton entering an unknown future was powerful precisely because it was ambiguous—it felt like the end of one chapter and the start of another EW.com.
Upton’s departure closely followed Jay Halstead’s exit, which means her relationship with her on‑screen husband remains unresolved in-show, too. The writers chose not to bring Halstead back, but left room for potential future reunion stories. Spiridakos’s exit was planned well in advance—she approached the showrunner at the end of Season 6 to request one final year to wrap things up properly People.com+15TV Insider+15The Sun+15.
That level of planning paid off: the series was able to give Upton meaningful closure without killing off the character—something rare in long-running procedural dramas. Many fans feel that decision highlights the respect the creators had for Spiridakos and her portrayal Cinemablendparade.com.
Another Reddit user, referencing show continuity, argued: “I think she’s just going to resign because she doesn’t want to be a cop anymore… She doesn’t seem happy as a cop anymore” Reddit. These reflections align with Spiridakos’s own comments about Upton’s exit—they frame her departure not in terms of conflict or scandal but out of self-awareness and a desire for new purpose.
Summing up her journey, Spiridakos said, “I’m not great at vulnerability… but Upton taught me that strength comes from being yourself and choosing hope.” That sentiment feels like both her character’s theme and a possible promise of future return.
As Chicago P.D. continues into Season 13 without Upton as a main character, her presence may still be felt—whether through character mentions, photos, or future guest appearances. If a story emerges where her return adds emotional weight—like a crossover crisis, wedding, or collective team moment—both actress and writers seem open to making it happen.
So, while Hailey Upton’s chapter on-screen may be closed for now, she hasn’t closed the door on returning. Spiral pathways, unexpected reunions, and emotional callbacks remain possible in the ever‑expanding One Chicago universe.
