Summary
Tracy Spiridakos made her final (series regular) appearance as Detective Hailey Upton during theChicago PDseason 11 finale, and a couple of months before the season 12 premiere,the show found someone worthy of replacing Upton.The NBC police procedural TV series has undergone many changes over the course of its 12 seasons. FromChicago PD’s shocking character deathsto tearful goodbyes to fan favorites, the cast certainly isn’t the same as it was in season 1. However, that isn’t entirely a bad thing (even though it was quite tough to bid Upton farewell).
FollowingJesse Lee Soffer’s exit fromChicago PDduring season 10, Spiridakos decided it was her turn to leave the nest the following season. Thankfully, her departure was announced before season 11 premiered, giving fans enough time to prepare to say goodbye to Upton. Towardsthe end of theChicago PDseason 11 finale, Hank Voight encouraged Upton to leave the Intelligence Unit. He knew she needed a change following her divorce from Jay Halstead. As a result,Upton quit and moved out of Chicago.It’s unclear where Spiridakos' character went, but she isn’t coming back anytime soon.
Toya Turner Is Joining The Chicago PD Season 12 Cast As Kiana Cook Is A Good Move
Kiana Is A Patrol Officer
PerTVLine,Toya Turner has joined the cast of season 12 as a series regular, seeminglyreplacing Upton inChicago PD.Turner is set to play Kiana Cook, who is described as"a patrol officer who loves the adrenaline of the job and its stakesand doesn’t blink in the face of chaos." Unfortunately, this is all the information NBC has shared about the police procedural TV show’s new character, but it’s enough to instill some optimism among viewers.
[Toya] Turner is replacing [Tracy} Spiridakos' spot as a series regular, and the differences between their two characters are why adding Kiana is the best decision forChicago PD.
As a patrol officer, Kiana will bring a breath of fresh air toChicago PDseason 12and take fans back to early episodes, before Kim Burgess and Kevin Atwater joined the Intelligence Unit. Sincethe brief character description failed to confirm whether Kiana will instantly be a part of Intelligence,one could assume she’ll have to pay her dues like those who came before her. So, perhaps Kiana isn’t Upton’s direct replacement in Intelligence. However, Turner is replacing Spiridakos' spot as a series regular, and the differences between their two characters are why adding Kiana is the best decision forChicago PD.
I’m Still Not Over This Chicago P.D. Death, Almost 10 Years Later
During the early seasons of Chicago PD, the show killed off one character, and their death is still one of the show’s most shocking moments.
How Tiana Is The Complete Opposite Of Upton in Chicago PD
It Would Be Disappointing If Tiana Was An Exact Replica Of Upton
Upton joined Intelligence having already been made a detective, while Kiana will begin as a patrol officer inChicago PDseason 12. Other than their rank, though, Upton and Kiana seemingly have different personalities.Kiana appears to be a fearless adrenaline junkie,while Upton wasn’t afraid to be vulnerable and took her job very seriously. Only time will tell how different the two characters are, but this first impression of Kiana afterSpiridakos' Upton leftChicago PDis promising.
Chicago P.D.
Cast
Chicago P.D.: This police drama, set in Chicago’s District 21, follows the distinct units within the Chicago Police Department—uniformed officers addressing street crimes and an Intelligence Unit tackling major offenses such as organized crime and drug trafficking, capturing the dedication of those who serve and protect their community.
