Tracy Spiridakos, Jesse Lee Soffer Tracy Spiridakos/Instagram
The Chicago P.D. world won’t be the same. Tracy SpiridakosAre you weighing in on costar Jesse Lee Soffer‘s impending exit from the series.
“I guess the word is out there. Jesse, what can I say, you’re the absolute best,” the 34-year-old actress wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, August 30, after her 38-year-old costar announced his departure. “Thank you for your kindness, your guidance and your friendship. You’re the greatest onscreen husband a girl could ask for.”
Spiridakos continued: “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.”
Tracy Spiridakos plays Hailey and Jesse Lee Soffer plays Jay Halstead. Lori Allen/NBC
Canadian actress Hailey Upton shared a selfie taken on set with Soffer. The former soap opera star has portrayed Jay Halstead since the show’s 2014 premiere and confirmed on Tuesday that season 10 would be his last.
“I want to thank the incredible fans for their unwavering support during the past 10 years and want to express my deepest gratitude to Dick Wolf and everyone at Wolf Entertainment, Peter Jankowski, Matt Olmstead, Derek Haas, Michael Brandt, Rick Eid, Gwen Sigan, NBC, Universal Television, my fellow castmates and our incredible crew,” he noted in a statement to Variety. “To create this hour drama week after week has been a labor of love by everyone who touches the show. My time as Det. Jay Halstead.”
The Emmy nominee went on to address the news via Twitter, writing, “This is sad but true. I want to express my gratitude to all of you. You are the reason we do what we do! It has been an honor. Love you all.”
Soffer announced earlier this month that he and Spiridakos were returning to work on the crime procedural. He uploaded a selfie featuring his onscreen love interest, who appeared in the series during season 4. Benjamin Levy Aguilar, who was elevated to a regular season position ahead of season 10
Jesse Lee Soffer plays Jay Halstead, Tracy Spiridakos plays Hailey. Lori Allen/NBC
The As the World TurnsAfter Upstead tied the knot in a courthouse ceremony, Upstead was praised by the alum. “That all felt like the next natural step. The two characters have been talking about getting married since, I think, the end of last season,” he told Us WeeklyOnly in December 2021. “Getting over all of these road bumps … It was like, ‘OK, we’re, we’re past all this, and we’re still here. F–k it, let’s do it!’”
Soffer said that marriage was “an afterthought” for the couple. “The next episode starts day one after that night or a couple of days after and they’re wearing the rings and someone’s like, ‘Did you guys get married?’ And they’re like, ‘Yeah, anyway. What’s this case about?’” he teased. “Are marriages on a TV show easy? No. No. Yes, probably.”
The episode wrapped up with a steamy love scene, but the NYU alum wasn’t fazed by the “intense” moment with Spiridakos. “We’ve been playing partners and love interests for so long, that it’s second nature,” Soffer told Use. “Also, I was on a soap for a while and she’s worked a ton! It’s like, ‘All right, sex scene? Got it.’ It’s been easy. She’s a great scene partner to have.”
Season 10 Chicago P.D.Premieres on NBC Wednesday September 21 at 10 p.m. ET.
