The One Chicago universe is gearing up for a major crossover event on , and with it comes the welcome return of two former Chicago P.D. stars: Jesse Lee Soffer and Tracy Spiridakos. The pair will reprise their roles as Jay Halstead and Hailey Upton, respectively, for the three-part event, which will air across Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago P.D. from 8-11 p.m. ET/PT, in a slightly altered schedule.
The news, first teased in a Chicago Med promo, marks Soffer’s first appearance as Halstead since his departure after ten seasons. While he has returned to direct episodes of the series, this crossover will see him back in front of the camera. Spiridakos, who exited Chicago P.D. in Season 11, will be stepping back into the shoes of Upton, who has since transitioned to a new role as a Special Agent with the FBI.
Spiridakos’s Upton returns to Chicago following a drug enforcement task force case originating from her Detroit field office. Soffer’s Halstead, last seen taking a position with the Army in Bolivia tracking drug cartel targets, has been operating deep undercover, a path that ultimately intersects with Upton’s investigation. The crossover’s logline reveals a high-stakes emergency when Firehouse 51 responds to a passenger jet that goes silent mid-air, uncovering a larger, potentially devastating mystery.
The return of Halstead and Upton is particularly poignant given their recent history. The characters were newly married when Soffer departed, leaving Upton heartbroken. Their reunion offers a chance to explore the aftermath of that separation and potentially address lingering feelings. While the focus will undoubtedly be on the unfolding emergency, the prospect of a conversation between the former couple – and perhaps a path toward reconciliation – is something many fans will be hoping for.
This isn’t the first time the One Chicago franchise has revisited beloved characters. Chicago Med’s 200th episode featured the return of Will Halstead (Nick Gehlfuss) and Natalie Manning (Torrey DeVitto), demonstrating a willingness to bring back familiar faces to enrich the ongoing storylines.
For Spiridakos, the crossover serves as a bridge to her next major role. She is set to star in the upcoming USA Network series Anna Pigeon, playing the titular character, a former city dweller who becomes a park ranger in Washington state after a personal tragedy. The series will follow Anna as she navigates her new life and investigates crimes within national park grounds. She’s joined by Ronnie Rowe Jr. As FBI Agent Frederick Stanton and Paulina Alexis as Zoey Bear Child, a young ranger whom Anna mentors.
Spiridakos recently spoke with Deadline about Anna Pigeon, sharing first-look images of the cast and offering insights into the character and the series’ premise. The show promises a compelling blend of mystery and personal drama, showcasing Spiridakos’s range as an actress.
The One Chicago crossover, with the return of Soffer and Spiridakos, is shaping up to be a significant event for fans of the franchise. It offers a compelling narrative hook, the emotional weight of reunited characters, and a glimpse into the future of both the established series and the individual careers of its stars. The event promises to deliver the high-stakes drama and emotional resonance that have become hallmarks of the One Chicago universe.
