There is news that Jesse Lee Soffer (Detective Jay Halstead) left Chicago P.D. in the upcoming 10th season. And that’s got some Team Upstead fans upset — including Soffer’s on-screen wife, Tracy Spiridakos, who plays Detective Hailey Upton.
Spiridakos took to Instagram on August 30 to react to her TV husband leaving, writing, “I guess there are no more words… Jesse, what can I say, you are amazing the best. Thank you for your kindness, guidance and friendship. You are the best on-screen husband a girl could ask for. I will miss being on set with you every day. I can’t wait to see what the world has in store for you next. #upsteadforever.”
Hailey and Jay got together romantically in Season 8, and eventually ran away to court in Season 9. The couple was so beloved by fans that the hashtag #UpsteadForever quickly became popular. Soffer has been a series regular since 2014, so only time will tell how they navigate Halstead’s exit. A dramatic death scene is always good for ratings, but it jeopardizes the deal on possible guest appearances and closes Upstead for good.
The actor is currently filming Season 10 and so far there is no exact information on when he will leave, but there is speculation that his final episode will take place this fall.
Upon exiting the country, Soffer told Variety:
“I want to thank my incredible fans for their unwavering support over 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 cast mates and our amazing team. To create this hourly drama every week is the work of everyone who touches the show. I will always be proud of my time as Det. Jay Halstead.”