Tracy Spiridakos Sent a Message to Her Former Chicago P.D. Castmates Their Emotional Responses Said It All
Tracy Spiridakos may have left Chicago P.D., but her connection with the cast clearly has not disappeared.
When the NBC police drama returned for Season 12 in September 2024, Spiridakos took a moment to celebrate the new season and show her former castmates some love. The simple message quickly became an emotional reminder of how much her character, Detective Hailey Upton, meant to both the cast and the fans.
Spiridakos shared a smiling selfie on Instagram on September 25, the day of the Season 12 premiere. Alongside the photo, she congratulated the cast and crew and welcomed the show's new cast members.
Her message was warm and straightforward, but the responses that followed revealed something more personal.
Tracy Spiridakos Had a Special Message for the Chicago P.D. Cast
Spiridakos wrote that it was Chicago P.D. premiere day and sent "mad love" to the cast and crew. She also welcomed the new cast members and encouraged viewers to tune in.
It was a particularly meaningful gesture because Season 12 marked the first season of Chicago P.D. without Spiridakos as a series regular since she joined the show in 2017.
After seven years on the series, Spiridakos had officially left Chicago P.D. following Season 11.
Her character, Detective Hailey Upton, had become an important member of the Intelligence Unit and one of the show's most recognizable characters.
So while Spiridakos was no longer appearing in the new episodes, she made it clear that she was still rooting for the people she had spent years working alongside.
Then Her Former Co-Stars Responded
The emotional part of the exchange came when some of Spiridakos' former co-stars entered the comments.
Marina Squerciati, who plays Kim Burgess, responded with an especially direct message:
"OMG I MISS YOU"
LaRoyce Hawkins, who plays Kevin Atwater, also made his feelings clear, writing that he missed Spiridakos and adding the hashtag "#StayUpton."
Patrick John Flueger, who plays Adam Ruzek, joined the conversation with another affectionate message praising how Spiridakos looked.
Those weren't the reactions of colleagues simply acknowledging a former cast member's social-media post. They reflected the friendship and familiarity that had developed among the actors during their years together.
And fans noticed.
Fans Were Still Missing Hailey Upton
The reaction from viewers was just as emotional.
Several fans used the opportunity to tell Spiridakos that they still missed seeing Hailey Upton on their screens.
One fan said they were going to miss seeing Hailey, while another argued that the chemistry on the show felt different without her. Others told Spiridakos that Chicago P.D. would not be the same without her.
That reaction was understandable.
Spiridakos joined Chicago P.D. in 2017 and spent seven seasons playing Upton. Her departure therefore represented more than simply one actor leaving a television series. For longtime viewers, it meant saying goodbye to a character they had followed for years.
Her Instagram message unexpectedly reopened those feelings.
Upton's Exit Was Written as a New Beginning
Although fans were emotional about losing Upton, the character's departure was not written as a tragic ending.
Showrunner Gwen Sigan explained that the creative team wanted Upton's exit to feel hopeful. Upton left Chicago and was still alive and well, leaving the possibility that she could remain part of the lives of the people she had known in the Intelligence Unit.
Sigan also acknowledged that Upton's absence created a significant gap within the Intelligence Unit.
According to the showrunner, Upton had a unique position within the team, particularly in her relationship with Hank Voight. Her departure therefore gave the writers an opportunity to explore how the remaining characters would adjust to the change.
That makes Spiridakos' premiere-day message even more interesting.
Upton may have left the fictional Intelligence Unit, but Spiridakos was still showing support for the real people who made up the Chicago P.D. family.
The Message Wasn't a Return to the Show
Despite the excitement from fans, Spiridakos' post should not be interpreted as confirmation that Hailey Upton was returning to Chicago P.D.
Her message was a show of support for the Season 12 premiere, not an announcement of a comeback. There was no confirmed return attached to the post.
Still, the reaction demonstrated why the possibility of seeing Upton again could generate excitement among viewers.
Her former co-stars clearly welcomed her presence, and fans continued to express how much they missed the character.
For now, however, Upton's story remains where Season 11 left it: with the detective moving on from Chicago.
Tracy Spiridakos' Chicago P.D. Bond Clearly Remains
The most interesting part of the entire exchange may be how ordinary the original post was.
Spiridakos simply wanted to wish her former colleagues well.
But within the comments, her former co-stars immediately reminded everyone that leaving the show did not mean leaving those friendships behind.
Marina Squerciati's "OMG I MISS YOU" probably captured the feeling better than anything else.
After seven years together on one of television's most popular police dramas, the cast had built relationships that continued beyond the cameras.
And for Chicago P.D. fans, Spiridakos' brief premiere-day message offered something they had been missing since her departure: a small reminder of Hailey Upton and the connection she still has with the people she worked beside for so many years.
Chicago P.D. may have moved into a new chapter without Hailey Upton, but Tracy Spiridakos' emotional exchange with her former castmates showed that the bond behind the scenes is still very much alive.
