Chicago Police Department'The Dark Knight Rise' season 12 is on the horizon. While the plot of episode 1 sparks discussions among fans online, an intriguing development has viewers concerned. The absence of Tracy Spiridakos' character Hailey Upton has drawn a lot of attention. Why did Upton leave?Will Spiridakos return to Chicago PD in season 12?
Here's everything you need to know about the character's departure and possible return to the series.
Why did Hailey Upton (Tracy Spiridakos) leave the Chicago Police Department?
Tracy Spiridakos has left the cast of Chicago PD to explore new career opportunities.
Before the end of season 11, Haily confirmed her departure from the series with Variety. She spoke about reaching out to showrunners Dick Wolf and Gwen Sigan during the end of her sixth season. The actress made it clear to the team that she wants to continue with the show for another year, and for the character to say goodbye properly in her final season. The actress further stated:
“It was a tough decision, a very, very tough one. I love everyone on the show – the cast, the crew, the producers, the writers, everyone. It’s an amazing team. I was curious to see what was in it for me and I wanted to change a little bit, and that was it.”
As such, Spiridakos stepped away from Chicago PD after season 11, ending his successful eight-year run.
What Happened To Hailey Upton After Chicago PD Season 11 Finale?
Tracy Spiridakos' character, Hailey Upton, left the Chicago Police Department to start over.
The Chicago PD season 11 finale showed Upton and the Intelligence Unit searching for Sergeant Hank Voight. Voight was kidnapped by a dangerous killer, Frank Matson, which left the entire department, including Upton, worried. While Voight was rescued, Upton was severely affected by the traumatic events of season 11. As a result, she decided to leave the squad to start a new chapter in her life.
Will Hailey Upton (Tracy Spiridakos) Return in Chicago PD Season 12?
For now, Tracy Spiridakos' return to the series seems unlikely.
As mentioned above, Spiridakos decided in her sixth season that she did not want to continue on the show. Season 12 has already premiered and there is no sign of Upton returning to the series. In addition, the series has seen the new addition of Detective Emily Martel, who is presumably Upton's replacement.
However, viewers are hopeful that she will return in the future, as her character was not killed off in the series. However, only time will tell what is in store for Hailey Upton and if she will return.