Is Hailey Upton leaving Chicago PD?

Hailey Upton (Tracy Spiridakos) has had an emotionally taxing season 9. Not only did she enter the season premiere with the secret that she killed a man and covered it up, but she entered into a rushed engagement with Jay Halstead (Jesse Lee Soffer) in the hopes that it would smooth over her regret.

While fans have no doubt that Upton and Halstead are a good match, it’s tough to deny that keeping a secret that huge is a bad start to a marriage. Upton’s fears reach a head in the new episode “In the Dark”, where her stressed behavior leads Halstead to discover what really happened.

Now that Upton’s secret is spilled, she could face serious repercussions. She may get transferred, or perhaps even fired for her decision to cover up a murder (even though it was self defense). Here’s a rundown of Upton’s options and whether she’s leaving Chicago PD.

Is Tracy Spiridakos leaving Chicago PD?

All of the evidence points to Upton staying on the show. Her character has become an integral part since she joined the cast in season 5, and her crucial relationships with Halstead and Voight (Jason Beghe), two of the core protagonists, make her practically indispensable.

There’s also the fact that Upton’s actress, Tracy Spiridakos, has not made any announcements to leave the show. In fact, Spiridakos recently told TV Insider that Upton will be dealing with the guilt of the coverup for the bulk of the season.

“The guilt of it all… is a struggle and we see her kind of unravel throughout,” the actress revealed. “We’re only on episode 5 so far, but from what I understand, we see that struggle continue for her for a while.” This statement all but confirms that Upton will stick around to work through her psychological issues and (hopefully) reconcile with Halstead.

This is not the first time Upton’s departure has been theorized by fans. There were concerns that the character would exit during season 8, when in reality, she was fulfilling a guest arc on the One Chicago adjacent series FBI.

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That said, things are going to prove trickier for Upton than Spiridakos. The character is in hot water if her secret gets out, and its possible a transfer could be seen as the punishment Upton accepts in lieu of something more serious.

The odds are high that Upton and Halstead will continue to work together, but there’s always the possibility that the Chicago PD showrunners could throw a curveball at the viewer and complicate their already complicated romance.

For the latest Chicago PD season 9 spoilers and news, plus more on the entire series, follow the Chicago PD category at One Chicago Center.