The Relationship Timeline of Jesse Lee Soffer and Tracy Spiridakos from Chicago P.D.
After showcasing Upstead’s romance on Chicago P.D., Tracy Spiridakos and Jesse Lee Soffer developed a bond off-screen.
Soffer was previously rumored to be dating Sophia Bush and Torrey DeVitto prior to the romance speculation about Spiridakos. The two first met on the set of the Dick Wolf police drama while portraying Hailey Upton and Jay Halstead, respectively. Their on-screen characters experienced a slow-burning romance that ultimately culminated in their marriage.
However, fans were taken aback when Soffer announced his departure from the series in 2022.
“I guess the word is out. Jesse, what can I say, you’re the absolute best. Thank you for your kindness, your guidance, and your friendship,” Spiridakos expressed via Instagram at the time. “You’re the greatest on-screen husband a girl could ask for. I’ll miss being on set with you every day. I can’t wait to see what the world has in store for you next. #upsteadforever.”
In October 2023, it was reported that Spiridakos would also depart Chicago P.D. following season 11.
“I made my decision at the end of my sixth season (season 10 of the series),” she shared with Variety in May. “That’s when I reached out to [showrunner] Gwen [Sigan] and the team at Wolf to let them know I wanted to do just one more year.”
Spiridakos described her choice as “very, very hard,” adding, “I was curious about what else was out there for me and wanted to shake things up, and that was it.”
On screen, Upton and Halstead went through a divorce to accommodate Spiridakos and Soffer’s separate exits. Although the co-stars have parted ways on screen, they have continued spending time together off-screen.
In January 2024, rumors emerged that Soffer and Spiridakos have been dating secretly for years. Neither actor has confirmed the dating speculation publicly but they have managed to keep their relationship out of the spotlight.
Keep scrolling to relive their romance:
2017
Tracy Spiridakos joined Chicago P.D. in the latter half of season 4, while Jesse Lee Soffer had been part of the NBC series since its inception. Their characters were paired up, leading to a romance. Upton and Halstead eventually got engaged and married during their time on Chicago P.D.
2018
Jesse Lee Soffer and Tracy Spiridakos made a striking appearance at the 4th Annual OneChicago Press Day in Chicago.
2019
Tracy Spiridakos and Jesse Lee Soffer once again attended the One Chicago press day a year later.
2021
Jesse Lee Soffer revealed exclusively to Us Weekly his experience filming a sex scene with Tracy Spiridakos, stating, “I don’t have time for TV, so if you tell me it was intense, then okay. It was intense.”
Soffer added: “We’ve been partners and love interests for so long, it feels like second nature. Plus, I did a soap for a while and she has tons of experience! So, it’s like, ‘Alright, sex scene? Got it.’ She’s a fantastic scene partner.”
2022
Jesse Lee Soffer was the first to announce his exit from the series — with Spiridakos following a year later. Even though Soffer returned to direct episodes, the on-screen connection between Upton and Halstead suffered, leading to their divorce before Upton’s exit.
2023
Tracy Spiridakos expressed her excitement when Jesse Lee Soffer returned to direct an episode before her departure, sharing on Instagram, “Tonight’s episode was directed by the one and only, our very own @jesseleesoffer 🥳🥳🥳!! And you guys, it’s a realllllllly good one. You don’t want to miss it.”
Soffer, in turn, used social media to celebrate Spiridakos’s impact, writing, “I got to watch Tracy’s last episode of Chicago P.D. (airing tonight) and she’s FANTASTIC in it! 🙂 you should all go check it out!”
August 2024
The pair enjoyed a European vacation in Portugal, sharing moments on social media.
“Europe is kinda cool 😘😘,” Jesse Lee Soffer posted on Instagram along with pictures that included Tracy Spiridakos.
February 2026
NBC announced the reunion of Tracy Spiridakos and Jesse Lee Soffer in a three-part One Chicago crossover special. According to the March 2026 episode synopsis, Upton “returns to her former stomping grounds as a Special Agent of the FBI.” She “joins her former P.D. allies after a drug enforcement task force case from her Detroit field office brings her back to Chicago.”
Meanwhile, Halstead “took a job with the Army in Bolivia, tracking drug cartel targets.” Most recently, he has been deep undercover, eventually crossing paths with the same case that Upton is investigating.
