Hailey Upton’s Exit Unexpectedly Fixes Chicago PD’s Oldest Problem

Warning: Spoilers for Chicago P.D. season 12Tracy Spiridakos’ role as Detective Hailey Upton in Chicago P.D. was considered a fan-favorite in the hit NBC drama. Upton’s relationship with Detective Jay Halstead (Jesse Lee Soffer), her father-daughter bond with Sergeant Hank Voight (Jason Beghe), and her unrelenting work ethic on challenging cases made her a standout. After seven seasons on the show, Upton’s departure from the Chicago PD cast raised the question of who would replace her as detective and be the second highest-ranking member of the Intelligence unit.

Kim Burgess (Marina Squerciati) would eventually be promoted to detective in season 12, episode 6, “Pawns,” after years of dedicated work alongside Hank’s team. Burgess’s upgraded status is possible due to Upton’s departure and willingness to tackle more responsibility and leadership in Intelligence. While being a detective may complicate her relationship with Adam Ruzek (Patrick John Flueger) and daughter Makayla (Ramona Edith Williams), Burgess can convince Voight she can perhaps lead the unit one day, whether it be in Chicago P.D season 13 or at some other point in the future.

Upton’s Absence Leaves Room For Others To Grow In Intelligence

Since Upton joined Voight and his unit, she has always supported them and is devoted to her work when solving cases. Reminiscent of everyone on the team, Upton has a history of personal turmoil (including issues with her father) and gritty confrontations with a variety of criminals and murderers. However, after Halstead leaves Upton to serve in the Army in Bolivia, and she and Voight’s near-death experience against a serial killer in the season 11 finale, the detective emotionally leaves Chicago to move on to another job so she can evaluate herself and recover.

Related

Why Tracy Spiridakos Left Chicago P.D. & What Happened To Hailey Upton

Tracy Spiridakos, who played Detective Hailey Upton in Chicago P.D., exited the NBC police procedural show following the season 11 finale.

Upton’s departure is not surprising considering Halstead’s decision to leave Chicago before her, along with a track record of detectives who have come and gone, like Erin Lindsay (Sophie Bush) and Antonio Dawson (Jon Seda). Upton leaving underscores the dark toll it takes for law enforcement to work in the cold and brutal crime world of Chicago. While the crew and spectators will miss Upton, her absence leaves room for other characters to expand their storylines, including Kevin Atwater (LaRoyce Hawkins), Dante Torres (Benjamin Levy Aguilar), and newcomer Kiana Cook (Toya Turner).

Anyone In Intelligence Can Be Promoted To Detective

Upton’s former position as Detective is also left vacant and up for grabs for anyone in the unit who is qualified. Ruzek and Atwater are possibilities due to their extensive time in Intelligence and their expertise in undercover work. However, Burgess is the best candidate for the job because she is one of the most reliable officers in Intelligence with the ability to control her emotions and separate her personal and professional lives. She also has leadership qualities when guiding and supporting her fellow officers, especially during traumatic situations.

From her days as a patrol officer to working with Intelligence, Burgess has the necessary experience to be second-in-command. Reminiscent of Upton, Burgess has also faced dangerous perpetrators in near-death situations and is willing to sacrifice her career to protect a teammate, such as standing by Dante when he didn’t disclose his relationship with Gloria Perez. As Burgess embraces her new role as detective, there are more possibilities in which new officers can join Intelligence and make the team even stronger in Chicago P.D.’s future.

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Release Date

January 8, 2014

Cast

Jason Beghe
, Marina Squerciati
, Patrick John Flueger
, LaRoyce Hawkins
, Amy Morton
, Jesse Lee Soffer
, Tracy Spiridakos
, Jon Seda

Creator(s)

Michael Brandt
, Derek Haas
, Matt Olmstead

Seasons

12

Writers

Dick Wolf

Directors

Dick Wolf

Showrunner

Dick Wolf

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