How Chicago P.D.'s Upton Will Handle Her New Partnership In FBI Crossover, According To Tracy Spiridakos
Although the three shows of One Chicago on NBC are taking the week off, there’s a lot for fans to look forward to thanks to FBI on CBS. Chicago P.D.’s Tracy Spiridakos is crossing over as Hailey Upton for the finale, effectively joining the One Chicago and FBI/FBI: Most Wanted universes in a way that's never been done before. Spiridakos chatted with CinemaBlend about her upcoming crossover from P.D. to FBI, and she shared what’s in store for fans of both shows, including Hailey’s partnership with somebody new rather than good old Jay Halstead.
Noting that television has “a great way of keeping us company” now that the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in social distancing across the world, Tracy Spiridakos explained how Hailey will adjust to her new environment when she jumps from Intelligence on P.D. to the FBI on FBI:
Chicago P.D. fans will discover that Hailey didn’t get a personality makeover on the plane from Chicago to New York. She didn’t actually choose to take this FBI assignment that takes her away from her job, her home, and her partner. While FBI fans know OA is an excellent agent who always has his partner’s back, Hailey doesn’t know that or know him. But hey, at least they’ll warm up by the end!
Of course, Hailey won’t be the only person in the P.D./FBI crossover operating without their usual partner. Maggie is still on an assignment that took her away from her unit, and OA has worked with others in her absence. Tracy Spiridakos previously described Jay Halstead as Hailey’s “anchor” and Chicago P.D. has been building the Upstead partnership in Season 7, so she weighed in on Hailey and OA’s dynamic as a duo without their regular partners:
Since Tracy Spiridakos is crossing over to FBI as Hailey Upton rather than Zeeko Zaki crossing over to Chicago P.D. as OA, the focus will naturally be on an FBI case. Still, Hailey is going to be Hailey, and the episode will see her usual investigative methods clashing with how the Bureau operates. Will this clash result in Hailey talking about the people she left behind in Chicago?
Tracy Spiridakos answered whether P.D. fans who might be checking out FBI for the first time should expect some nods to P.D. characters:
Based on the latest episode of Chicago P.D., Hailey’s assignment with the FBI in New York was to last for a few weeks. While Tracy Spiridakos did reassure that Upton will be “coming back [to P.D.] when the show starts up again in the new season,” there was the question of whether Hailey would just be over on CBS for one episode of FBI.
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Tracy Spiridakos shared that she was originally slated to complete more than just the one installment, and that there’s a tie to Chicago Fire in the crossover episode:
Yes, the actress who played Gabby Dawson on Chicago Fire directed the episode that turned out to be FBI’s Season 2 finale! Even if viewers won’t get to see the second episode of FBI with Tracy Spiridakos as originally planned and Hailey won’t be back on P.D. before the end of Season 7, the dynamic with OA and seeing Hailey clash with the FBI team should make this week’s episode of FBI must-see.
Fortunately, Tracy Spiridakos herself didn’t clash with the FBI team for the crossover, as she shared:
See Tracy Spiridakos bring Chicago P.D.’s Hailey Upton from NBC to CBS for FBI’s Season 2 finale, called “Emotional Rescue,” on Tuesday, March 31 at 9 p.m. ET. In addition to Hailey’s investigative methods clashing with the FBI when she joins for her temporary assignment, the team will investigate a drug deal gone wrong following the discovery of a college student’s body.
As for Chicago P.D., the next episode, called “Buried Secrets,” will see Ruzek witnessing a woman’s kidnapping, resulting in Intelligence racing to put the pieces together. Burgess will try to connect with Ruzek outside of their work, but he’ll mysteriously distance himself from her. See “Buried Secrets” on Wednesday, April 8 at 10 p.m. ET on NBC.
Laura turned a lifelong love of television into a valid reason to write and think about TV on a daily basis. She's not a doctor, lawyer, or detective, but watches a lot of them in primetime. CinemaBlend's resident expert and interviewer for One Chicago, the galaxy far, far away, and a variety of other primetime television. Will not time travel and can cite multiple TV shows to explain why. She does, however, want to believe that she can sneak references to The X-Files into daily conversation (and author bios).