Tracy Spiridakos is returning to TV with her first role since leaving Chicago P.D.
Spiridakos, 37, has scored the title role on USA Network’s Anna Pigeon, according to Deadline. Her character is described as a former city dweller who “became a park ranger after a devastating loss changed the trajectory of her life forever.”
Based on Nevada Barr’s mystery novels, Anna Pigeon has Morwyn Brebner serving as the showrunner. Lea Thompson is slated to direct and is an executive producer on the project.
Anna Pigeon marks Spiridakos’ first lead role after departing NBC’s Chicago P.D. The actress played Detective Hailey Upton on the NBC police procedural from 2017 to 2024. News broke in October 2023 that Spiridakos was leaving Chicago P.D. after season 11.
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“I decided at the end of my sixth season (a.k.a. season 10 of the series),” she told Variety in May 2024. “Which is when I had reached out to [showrunner] Gwen [Sigan] and to everyone at Wolf to let them know that I just wanted to do one more year.”
Spiridakos said the decision was “very, very hard,” adding, “I was just curious what was out there for me and wanted to switch it up, and that was it.”
NBC / Courtesy: Everett Collection
The surprise exit came after Spiridakos’ onscreen love interest — and rumored offscreen boyfriend — Jesse Soffer shocked fans with his own departure. Soffer, 41, played Jay Halstead and confirmed in 2022 that he was moving on from Chicago P.D.
“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 wrote via Instagram at the time. “You’re the greatest onscreen 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.”
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While he left the One Chicago universe, Soffer remained in the Dick Wolf world after scoring a role as Wes on FBI: International.
“On [Chicago] P.D., Halstead had a lot of baggage by the end of 10 seasons,” Soffer exclusively told Us Weekly in October 2024 of his former detective character. “There’s someone [who has] gone through a lot of traumatic stuff.”
Soffer teased how Wes was “totally new” with a “different demeanor” and a “different attitude.”
“Obviously, I love Wolf films and they’re near and dear to my heart. To get this opportunity was like, ‘Oh, no, this was not on my radar at all, but OK, let’s do it,’” he recalled. “[There was] no way of predicting it. No way of knowing.”
CBS canceled FBI: International in March after four seasons.
