One Chicago Podcast: Behind the Scenes with Jesse Lee Soffer and Tracy Spiridakos – Chicago P.D. Reunion (March 12, 2026)

Episode Overview

This episode of the One Chicago Podcast, hosted by Brian Lucci—a former Chicago cop and now producer—gives fans a deep-dive into the much-anticipated return of Chicago P.D. fan-favorites Jesse Lee Soffer (Jay Halstead) and Tracy Spiridakos (Hailey Upton) in the latest crossover event. The trio reunite to talk shop, reflect on their emotional on-screen journeys, share behind-the-scenes mishaps, and revisit iconic moments from their time on the shows. The conversation is heartfelt, lighthearted, and often laugh-out-loud funny, offering fans new insight into the making of the One Chicago universe.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Big Reunion & Initial Reactions

• Fans Go Wild: Brian describes fan reactions to the return of Halstead and Upton as the “internet went bananas” [05:12]. Jesse and Tracy share their excitement about stepping back into their characters’ shoes.

  • Tracy: “I love that they brought me in with, like, in FBI. ... And then it ended up unraveling to this whole thing. So for me, I was really, really excited.” [05:30]
  • Jesse: “...the first stage direction ... all of a sudden, in the light of day, Mother Halstead ... that’s badass.” [06:02]

• Keeping the Return a Secret: Tracy tells a charming story of lying to a fan before the announcement and later returning to the coffee shop to come clean—which delighted them both [07:05–08:16].

Reigniting the Upton/Halstead Dynamic

• Complex Character Relationships: They discuss the challenge and fun of playing exes with unresolved feelings and chemistry, especially given the time apart and changed circumstances [08:16–09:39].

  • Jesse: “Halstead’s coming back with a different point of view ... He’s not saying it, but he’s like, I’m here for you. And Hailey’s, like, keeping him at arm’s length. ... It was really fun to play the history ... like a married couple, but with ... hostility, but also ... the attraction.” [08:30]

• Balancing Plot and Romance: The actors reflect on the writing tightrope—balancing intense crisis stakes across three episodes with emotional depth [09:47]. Tracy comments on how playing resentment toward Jesse was tough because they adore each other in real life [09:58].

Behind the Scenes: Cross-Show Action

• Stunt Coordination and Collaboration: Brian and the actors marvel at the logistical feat of merging three shows, especially action sequences like car explosions and tactical scenes under tight time and budget constraints [11:48–13:27].

• Explosion Scene: Jesse tells a thrilling story about a massive explosion and running into debris to keep the shot authentic, revealing the stunts' real dangers and adrenaline [17:43–19:22].

  • “The bomb goes off. The sky is filled with ash and fire and debris. And I go, if I don’t run right now, I’m a fricking wuss. So I took off, ... some cinder lands in my forehead—it’s burning me ... It was fricking terrifying, but it’s going to look awesome.” [17:43]

• Tactical Sequences: Tracy recalls the morgue chase scene on Fire as her personal favorite, enjoying her return to intensive tactical acting [19:24–20:11].

Sentimental & Defining Moments

• Tactical Authenticity: The actors credit Brian and their technical advisors for helping them look credible on camera. Tracy: “You are so, so good at making sure everything feels as real ... as it possibly can ... you pivot so well with that. ... You’re amazing.” [21:28–22:39]

• Favorite and Defining Scenes:

  • Tracy selects her character’s emotional confession to Platt for why she became a police officer as a career-defining moment [26:33].
    • “I became a cop because of you.” [26:33]
  • Jesse chooses Halstead’s obsession in “Rodiger”—a raw scene eating birthday cake outside a suspect’s house—as key to understanding Halstead’s character [43:34].
    • “That episode ... helped me understand who the guy was for the next few seasons...” [45:24]

On-Set Antics and Camaraderie

• Best Reunion: Both reminisce about reconnecting with various cast members:

  • Jesse loved acting again with Jason, Benny, and unexpectedly, briefly reuniting with Dermot Mulroney—who had previously played his dad in a movie [14:02–15:05].
  • Tracy describes how emotional seeing Jason again was and how it took a while to sink back into serious scenes because they could not stop hugging and smiling [15:05–15:57].

• Pranks and On-Set Fails: Jesse recalls kicking Patty in the groin during a prank gone wrong; Tracy details a prank where she convinced the head hair stylist she’d chopped her hair off [37:45–41:30].

Mutual Admiration

• Bragging on Each Other:
  • Jesse: “She’s a really, really smart actor that can look at text and story arc from ... a producer’s point of view ... and she’s like, got total access to the deepest emotions ... she can turn on the waterworks on a dime and just gut you in a scene.” [27:49]
  • Tracy: “You amplify every moment ... you want everybody to feel good in the scene ... you create an environment where everybody around you feels like they have a voice, that their voice matters ... the more you bring them up, the happier you feel, the more collaborative. It’s a really unique talent...” [29:36–31:47]

Behind the Camera: Jesse’s Directing

• Perspective Switch: Jesse reflects on how directing shaped his approach to acting, including learning to balance creative input as an actor with trusting the director’s vision [34:47–37:29].

Memorable Quotes

• On Returning:
  “It was like we never left. It’s all muscle memory ... We’re hanging out on set and we’re goofing off and then we’re jumping into scenes ... It was awesome.” – Jesse [04:59]

• On Their Chemistry:
  “It’s like a married couple, but with, like, a lot of hostility but also, you know, the attraction.” – Jesse [08:30]

• On Stunt Work:
  “You move incredibly tactically ... like, we’ve talked about it before. You guys look so damn good that other cops are like, I’d go through a door with him.” – Brian [20:11]

• On Why They’re Good Scene Partners:
  “You create an environment where everybody around you feels like they have a voice, that their voice matters and they can contribute to the story.” – Tracy [29:36]

• On Upton’s Bond with Voight:
  “They had this relationship ... he helped her in so many ways and they just had this dynamic that I think Hailey looked up to him and loved him.” – Tracy [45:54]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [05:12–08:16]: The actors describe reading the script, their badass entrances, and keeping their return secret.
• [08:16–09:47]: Playing exes/partners and maintaining on-screen chemistry under new circumstances.
• [11:48–13:27]: Behind-the-scenes logistics—stunt coordination, especially car explosion scenes.
• [17:43–19:22]: Jesse describes the big explosion scene—authenticity and physical risk.
• [21:28–22:39]: Appreciation for tactical training and authenticity.
• [26:33]: Tracy shares her defining “I became a cop because of you” scene.
• [29:36–31:47]: Exchange of praise about each other’s talents, generosity, and approach as scene partners.
• [34:47–37:29]: Jesse discusses directing and how it changes his perception as an actor.
• [37:45–41:30]: Hilarious pranks and mishaps from set.

Rapid Fire Segment Highlights ([45:49+])

• Tracy: Upton misses Voight as “a father figure she never had.”
• Jesse: Halstead misses Upton the most, “probably followed by Voight.”
• If in crisis, Tracy would choose Burgess (“She wouldn’t stop ... She’s a good cop”). Jesse would want Voight (“He’s gonna take care of business”).
• Both would throw Halstead in the interrogation room to ask why he stopped calling Upton.

Closing Thoughts

The episode is a heartfelt celebration of the One Chicago universe, its cast’s family-like bonds, and their dedication to bringing authenticity and emotional depth to police drama. Between the laughter, pranks, and genuine admiration, listeners glimpse both the creative process and the personal connections that keep these shows beloved by fans.

Not to be missed for any fan!