Upton Won't Return To Chicago PD Anytime Soon, & It's For The Best

When viewers last saw Upton, she was saying goodbye to the Intelligence Unit during the Chicago PD season 11 finale. She finally accepted the truth, which was that she needed a change. Upton had been stuck in a rut since Jay Halstead left, and she could only break out of it via a fresh start. Unfortunately, Upton couldn't do that in Chicago.

Tracy Spiridakos Was Cast To Play The Lead In Anna Pigeon

Anna Pigeon Is A New USA Network Show

Spiridakos left Chicago PD to pursue other opportunities, and a little more than a year after her exit, the actress has found her next project. According to a report from Deadline, Spiridakos was cast to play the titular role in the upcoming USA Network TV series Anna Pigeon. The former Chicago PD cast member's new character is being described as:

"A former city slicker who became a park ranger after a devastating loss changed the trajectory of her life forever. While Anna tries to outrun her demons, her focus turns to solving crimes that have taken place within national park grounds, no matter who or what gets in her way."

According to one of Spiridako's Instagram posts, the cast and crew have already started filming Anna Pigeon. Production kicked off during the week of July 28, 2025, and it's unclear how long it will last. What we do know, though, is that the upcoming USA Network TV series is scheduled to premiere sometime in 2026.

Spiridakos's New Show Confirms Upton's Chicago PD Return Is Unlikely

The Actress Will Have A Busy Schedule

Given that Spiridakos will be busy working on Anna Pigeon in the coming months, her potential return to Chicago PD in season 13 is improbable. Even if she were to only reprise her role as a guest star, the actress's return to the One Chicago universe would still be tricky. It's difficult for networks and producers to manage filming schedules as is.

So, while it's exciting that Spiridakos is joining the cast of another show, fans might be disappointed to learn that it lessens her chances of coming back to Chicago PD. At least, viewers shouldn't expect Upton to appear in Chicago in the near future. Perhaps Chicago PD season 13 will provide an update on Upton's whereabouts, but that's the best fans will get.

Upton Shouldn't Come Back To Chicago PD (At Least, For Now)

Chicago PD Doesn't Need Upton In Season 13

Yes, Upton has been sorely missed in Chicago PD since her exit. However, it would be for the best if Spiridakos' character stayed away from Chicago for now. The other police officers and detectives are still trying to find their groove without Upton, and it certainly doesn't help that Intelligence is losing its newest member in Chicago PD season 13.

Plus, if Spiridakos were to reprise her role as Upton in Chicago PD, it would ideally be alongside Jesse Lee Soffer's Jay Halstead. And, unfortunately, he's probably not coming back. At least, as an actor, since Soffer has directed a few episodes. So, although Soffer's new series, FBI: International, has been canceled, there has been no talk of him returning to Chicago PD.

It also hasn't been that long since Spiridakos left the cop show, and her sudden return would cheapen her heartfelt exit. Upton had been lost since she and Halstead divorced. It was time for her to move on from Chicago and all the memories she had made with Halstead there. If Upton came back just one year later, her previous exit would feel meaningless.