Chicago PD: 4 reasons Angie Harmon would be perfect to replace Upton

The Intelligence Unit is about to say goodbye to yet another long-time member of the team with Tracy Spiridakos set to exit Chicago PD in season 11 after seven seasons playing Detective Hailey Upton.

The exit, while disappointing, isn’t too shocking as it’s become clear in recent seasons that the writers were starting to run out of materials for the character. With Spiridakos’s exit, PD will be down yet another popular character and the Intelligence Unit will be down yet another detective.

Needless to say, the show will need to bring in a new character to fill the void once Upton leaves and there is no better actress to fill that role than Angie Harmon.

1. Chicago PD would benefit from adding a recognizable name

While the One Chicago shows have done a great job of bringing in lesser-known actors and turning them into household names, it’s fair to say that Chicago PD could benefit from bringing in a well-known TV vet. Who better to fill that role than Angie Harmon?

Harmon has left quite a mark on TV over the years in her many iconic roles including several amazing procedurals. This leads me to my second point.

2. Angie Harmon has a history with Wolf Entertainment

Angie Harmon has a history with Wolf Entertainment having played ADA Abbie Carmichael on Law & Order during seasons 9-11. Harmon was a standout member of the cast during her time and remains beloved by Law & Order fans who still would love to see her reprise the role in NBC’s Law & Order reboot.

Having a history with Wolf Entertainment isn’t a must, but we’ve seen how perfectly former stars from the Law & Order world have fit into the One Chicago universe. S. Epatha Merkerson is the best example of this.

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Law & Order fans loved Merkerson and were happy to follow her over to Chicago Med where she has been a mainstay since the beginning. While some worried about having Name joining the Med cast given her iconic turn in Law & Order, which shares a universe with the One Chicago shows, those worries melted away long ago with Goodwin emerging as a standout character, thanks to the writers capitalizing on and leaning into the strengths we saw from Merkerson in Law & Order.

Bringing Harmon into the fold on PD would be a perfect move for the show which would surely bring in more Law & Order fans eager to see Harmon back on a Wolf Entertainment production.

3. We’ve been wanting to see Angie Harmon back in primetime since Rizzoli & Isles ended

Ever since TNT shamefully canceled Rizzoli and Isles, we’ve been dying to see Angie Harmon back in primetime with a new role. While Harmon has appeared in a few roles since the end of Rizzoli & Isles in 2016, she’s yet to book another full-time TV gig which is a shame.

We’re so ready to see Harmon taking on a TV role once again in a series regular role and we can’t think of a better show for her to stage her return than Chicago PD. Not only is Harmon an incredible actress, but she has proven on several occasions that she is truly the queen of procedurals.

4. Chicago PD needs a seasoned detective

With the departure of Upton, the Intelligence Unit will be without any seasoned detectives as no other member of the team holds the rank of detective. Sure, the show could easily incorporate a storyline that sees a member or two from the team take their detective exam and finally earn their detective shield; however, we need a seasoned detective on the team.

Who better to fill that role than Angie Harmon who is no stranger to playing seasoned detectives?!

Harmon would be the perfect addition to the show and there is no better actress to play a seasoned detective who joins the Intelligence Unit following Upton’s departure. The Intelligence Unit has always featured members who came from various branches of the Chicago PD, this helped the show to bring diverse perspectives, skills, and strategies to the table.

Harmon possesses the ideal blend of charisma, experience, and depth required to portray a seasoned detective on PD. Her ability to portray strong, determined characters could create a truly unique dynamic with Voight. Harmon’s character could also serve as a mentor to the younger members of the team, a dynamic that’s been lacking in more recent seasons.

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