A Final Case, A Final Goodbye: Tracy Spiridakos Bids Farewell to ‘Chicago P.D.’ After Six Explosive Seasons as Detective Hailey Upton

After six gripping seasons, filled with moral gray areas, deadly standoffs, and emotional unraveling, Tracy Spiridakos is stepping away from her badge—and from Chicago P.D.‘s elite Intelligence Unit. Her departure, announced ahead of the highly anticipated season finale, marks the end of an era for one of the show’s most complex and resilient characters: Detective Hailey Upton.

In an exclusive interview, Spiridakos opened up about her decision to leave, the emotional journey of her character, and the high-stakes final arc crafted to give Upton the sendoff she deserves. It’s a farewell that dives deep into the psychology of a woman haunted by her past and tested by the present—ultimately forcing her to confront who she truly is, and what she must leave behind.

Let’s unravel the final chapter of Hailey Upton—and the legacy Tracy Spiridakos leaves behind.

The Evolution of Hailey Upton

When Hailey Upton first arrived on Chicago P.D. in season 4, she was a determined, no-nonsense detective with a history of trauma and a steel spine. Brought in from Robbery-Homicide, Upton quickly became a central figure within Hank Voight’s (Jason Beghe) morally complicated Intelligence Unit—a place where rules were bent and justice was anything but black and white.

Over the years, Upton’s character evolved from a by-the-book officer to a deeply conflicted yet fiercely loyal cop, who often walked the razor’s edge between right and wrong. Her relationship with fellow detective Jay Halstead (Jesse Lee Soffer) served as both a source of strength and heartbreak, especially following Halstead’s own sudden departure.

“Upton has always been this incredibly layered character,” Spiridakos reflects. “She’s strong, yes, but that strength comes from pain, from grit, from enduring so much—and still showing up.”

A Killer’s Game: Upton’s Final Case

Spiridakos’ exit arc is nothing short of cinematic. In a plotline that mirrors some of the most psychologically intense episodes in the series’ history, Upton finds herself on the trail of a highly intelligent and sadistic serial killer. Unlike most cases, this one isn’t solved with brute force or street-level intel. This is a mental chess match, and Upton is forced to confront the limits of her instincts, her judgment, and her emotional stamina.

“He’s always one step ahead,” Upton says in a chilling scene from the penultimate episode. “And I’m starting to wonder if I’m chasing him, or if he’s leading me somewhere.”

The case becomes personal—dangerously so. As she dives deeper into the killer’s psychological patterns, Upton begins to see disturbing reflections of her own darkness. Her sleepless nights, her need for control, her moral compromises—all start to surface.

The finale, described by showrunner Gwen Sigan as “a psychological pressure cooker,” is not just about catching the killer. It’s about Upton confronting her deepest fear: that her trauma has fundamentally changed her, and not entirely for the better.

“Her final case is a mirror,” Spiridakos says. “It forces her to ask, ‘Am I still doing this for justice, or have I lost myself in the process?’”

A Woman Transformed

One of the most compelling aspects of Upton’s arc has been her emotional evolution. Often stoic and guarded, she gradually revealed a softer, more vulnerable side—especially in her relationship with Halstead. When he left the unit and ultimately chose a life outside the department, Upton was left emotionally adrift.

That void only deepened her descent into solitude, work obsession, and quiet self-destruction. But in these final episodes, we see her fight to claw her way back—to reclaim the parts of herself that haven’t been swallowed by trauma.

“There’s this moment in the finale where Upton makes a choice,” Spiridakos shares. “Not out of revenge, not out of duty—but out of clarity. She finally sees who she is, and what she wants. And it’s not what we—or she—expected.”

That choice leads her away from Chicago, from Intelligence, and from the ghosts that have long haunted her beat.

The Goodbye That Hurts—and Heals

Spiridakos says the decision to leave Chicago P.D. was not made lightly. “It’s been the honor of a lifetime to play Hailey Upton,” she says. “This show, this team—they’ve been my family. But creatively, I felt it was time to close the chapter in a way that felt truthful.”

The writers crafted an exit that balances resolution with realism. There’s no dramatic death, no mid-chase gunfire or car crash. Instead, Upton’s departure is quiet, raw, and human. A resignation. A suitcase. A long look at her locker. And a final walk through the precinct that has both shaped and scarred her.

In a scene that left many viewers in tears, Upton shares a brief, loaded farewell with Voight. Few words are exchanged, but the silence speaks volumes. A salute. A nod. And she’s gone.

“It was one of the hardest scenes I’ve ever filmed,” Spiridakos says. “Because it wasn’t just acting. I was saying goodbye, too.”

Reflections on a Role That Changed Everything

Looking back on six seasons, Spiridakos admits that playing Upton has changed her—not just professionally, but personally.

“She taught me about resilience,” the actress shares. “About carrying pain with grace, and how strength doesn’t mean being unbreakable—it means breaking, and still moving forward.”

Indeed, Upton’s journey has resonated with fans in powerful ways. Viewers saw themselves in her struggles with mental health, her fierce loyalty, her emotional repression, and her fight to be understood. Social media lit up in the wake of the finale, with fans mourning her exit while celebrating her growth.

One post read: “Upton didn’t go out in flames—she walked out with her head high. That’s real power. That’s the arc she deserved.”

What’s Next for Spiridakos

As for what’s next, Spiridakos is keeping her plans open but hints that new projects—both in front of and behind the camera—are already underway. “I’m excited to tell new stories, to explore characters that challenge me in new ways,” she says. “But Hailey Upton will always be a part of me.”

Could there be a return down the line? She doesn’t rule it out.

“The door is never fully closed in this world,” Spiridakos teases with a smile. “And Chicago… it has a way of pulling you back in.”

A Lasting Legacy

In the world of Chicago P.D., where justice often comes at a price and no character escapes unscathed, Hailey Upton stood as a symbol of strength through struggle. Her departure leaves a gaping hole in the Intelligence Unit—and in the hearts of fans who watched her journey unfold with grit, grace, and unrelenting honesty.

As Tracy Spiridakos walks away from the badge, she leaves behind a legacy of layered storytelling, emotional depth, and one of the most compelling characters in recent network television history.

The city may move on. The unit may adapt. But Hailey Upton’s presence will echo through the halls of District 21 for years to come.

Would you like a companion piece focusing on fan reactions or the future of Chicago P.D. without Upton?