Chicago PD season 8, episode 11 preview: Signs of Violence

By Brittany Frederick | Apr 7, 2021

CHICAGO P.D. -- "Signs Of Violence" Episode 811 -- Pictured: Jesse Lee Soffer as Jay Halstead -- (Photo by: Lori Allen/NBC) /

Fans of Hailey Upton and the Upstead ship should have a lot to look forward to in tonight’s Chicago PD, presuming the show doesn’t hit Upton with another of its usual tragic twists.

“Signs of Violence” focuses on Upton (Tracy Spiridakos) as the Intelligence Unit’s investigation into a missing family becomes personal for her given her past with family violence. It’s a topic that the show has broached with Upton multiple times before, but this episode ought to be at least a little bit different.

For one, the installment has a first-time director in Bethany Rooney, who’s a graduate of NBC‘s Female Forward program.

More from Chicago PD

“Tracy Spiridakos, the actress who plays Upton, committed wholeheartedly to this story, and it required an emotional deep dive every single day. It was a joy for me to ‘go there’ with her,” Rooney said in a statement released by NBC.

Watch One Chicago on fuboTV: Watch over 67 live sports and entertainment channels with a 7-day FREE trial!

“I was surprised to see that, even in season 8, all the actors care deeply about the show and are fully engaged in making it the best it could be,” she added. “Jason Beghe sets the tone, and everyone is enthusiastically on board.”

Another hook that this Chicago PD episode should have is Upton’s new relationship with her partner Jay Halstead (Jesse Lee Soffer). There’s no reasonable way that there isn’t some kind of major Upstead moment in this hour. If Hailey’s going through a hard time, surely her partner who also happens to be her boyfriend is going to be there for her.

Upstead has been in the background since the duo originally hooked up, and you bet that the writers are aware of that and will serve up something significant—not only because it makes sense for the characters, but also because a vocal segment of One Chicago fans have been waiting for it.

The question is going to be what we’re going to learn about Hailey that we didn’t know before. Her past has been discussed in previous episodes, including with Jay. She’s not a character who opens up easily. Will she reveal something she’s been holding back? Will there be some further update on her father, who was last seen in the hospital?

There’s got to be something plot-wise that made the topic worth going to again, and that pushes Upton forward; she’s certainly tackled this issue enough, and deserves to be able to move on.

Next. Here's where Chicago PD left off last week. dark

For the latest Chicago PD season 8 spoilers and news, plus more on the entire series, follow the Chicago PD category at One Chicago Center.

Home/Chicago PD