Jason Beghe Reacts to Tracy Spiridakos Leaving Chicago P.D.: "She's Changed the Show"
After seven years, the actress will exit the Dick Wolf police drama following the Season 11 finale.
In January 2024, Chicago P.D.'s showrunner Gwen Sigan officially confirmed that Season 11 would be Tracy Spiridakos' last after playing Det. Hailey Upton for seven years.
"She is such a good actor, and we want to do her justice," Sigan told Hello! "She's such a unique voice and so defined as to what her past was like and why she is the way she is."
Upton has definitely had an interesting ride so far this season, with her divorce from Halstead finalized and partnering with new SVU detective Jo Petrovic (Bojana Novakovic). And while Spiridakos has yet to comment on leaving the series, she joins a handful of fellow One Chicago actors stepping away from their respective shows in 2023.
Jason Beghe opens up about Tracy Spiridakos leaving Chicago P.D.
Co-star Jason Beghe (Voight) opened up to NBC Insider about her exit. He's been a part of Chicago P.D. since Season 1, but has worked with Spiridakos on the series since she joined in Season 4. They share a complicated dynamic on screen, with their characters often supporting each other through some of their most difficult storylines.
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"First of all, she’s somebody who I love and care about and respect," Beghe told us. "She will always be part of the shop. Even if she doesn't come back and work with us, she's part of my life and she's part of our show. You know, she's changed the show, and therefore even going forward, whether she's in the episode or not, she'll be part of the show."
He continued, "I’m just grateful for everything that she has done and continues to do."
It's clear that the rest of the cast will miss her as well, with Marina Squerciati (Burgess) sharing a sentimental Instagram post in March. The photo showed Spiridakos and LaRoyce Hawkins (Atwater) embracing on set in-between takes.
"Squeezing in all the Tracy hugs we can get," Squerciati wrote in a caption.
So, what's next for Upton? Sigan hinted to Hello! about what's to come.
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"We're really going to dig into that this season, and dig into growth and transformation," she said. "How do you get through your life not looking like what you thought it was going to look like, and realizing that there could be more out there that is maybe better for you? It will be a fun ride for her, and there are some interesting and new characters coming in for her to play against."
