Which Chicago PD star appeared in McGyver?

McGyver is a beloved show, and while the 1980s version is the one most often referenced, there was a brief renaissance for the resourceful character in the late 2010s. That’s when CBS decided to reboot the show with a brand new cast and a modern spin. The reboot was a moderate success, running for five seasons between 2016 and 2021. It also gave a particular actor a chance to shine ahead of their being cast in Chicago PD.

Brief though their role might have been, it definitely was a sign of things to come. Who was the actor? Well, we know her best as Hailey Upton.

Is Tracy Spiridakos in McGyver?

That’s right, Tracy Spiridakos was a crucial part of McGyver during its early run. She played Nikki Carpenter, an undercover CIA agent who sometimes worked alongside the titular character. She also dated McGyver prior to the events of the show, and their history together informs their often flirtatious interactions.

Spiridakos appeared in a total of 3 episodes, but her presence was certainly felt. She became an early fan favorite, and many felt like she was a perfect foil for McGyver’s antics. The only problem is, Carpenter’s CIA responsibilities got in the way. She was eventually asked to fake her death in an attempt to preserve her safety.

Carpenter was a character from the original show, in which she was played Elyssa Davalos. In the original, however, she joins the Phoenix Foundation and is more of a professional foil for the main character, rather than someone who has romantic history with him.

Spiridakos’s stint on McGyver may have been brief, but her authoritative performance no doubt led to her being cast as the similarly authoritative Upton on Chicago PD. She joined the cast of the cop drama in 2017, a year after she was last seen on McGyver. She’s been here ever since. Not bad.

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