‘Chicago P.D.’: Jason Beghe & Tracy Spiridakos Talk Upton & Voight’s Secret and Upstead
Spoiler Alert
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for the Chicago P.D. Season 9 premiere “Closure.”]
Will Sergeant Hank Voight (Jason Beghe) and Detective Hailey Upton’s (Tracy Spiridakos) secret — that she shot a suspect to save her boss’ life and he then buried the body — come out? Well, they may have covered their tracks in the Chicago P.D. Season 9 premiere well enough that they don’t have to worry about that. How? The only person who could link them to what happened was shot in a standoff with the police.
Meanwhile, Upstead fans got the answer they’d been waiting all summer for: Detective Jay Halstead’s (Jesse Lee Soffer) response to Upton’s proposal. Not only did he say yes (after making sure it wasn’t just a reaction to Marina Squerciati’s Kim Burgess being shot), but he also proposed (he’s old-fashioned, he explained). They’re engaged!
TV Insider turned to Beghe and Spiridakos to find out what’s next.
Voight and Upton’s secret remains buried for now because the only other person who knows is also now dead. How are they both dealing with everything that’s happened going forward?
Tracy Spiridakos: Upton definitely struggles. The guilt of it all and keeping it a secret from Burgess, keeping it a secret from Halstead, is a struggle and we see her kind of unravel throughout — we’re only on episode 5 so far, but from what I understand, we see that struggle continue for her for a while.
Jason Beghe: Voight’s main concern is whether or not Upton can handle this. Because obviously it’s been personally distressing to her and that’s something that he doesn’t want her to have to experience, but also potentially her inability to hold onto this secret could adversely affect the entire unit and even the Chicago police department, so there’s a lot at stake and he tries to stay present and encourage her to weather the storm as best as she can.
Lori Allen/NBC
And especially because they have to rely on each other to not slip up. How does that affect how they look at each other going forward? Is there a difference in how they interact?
Spiridakos: There’s definitely tension, that’s for sure. And then Halstead starts to see that there’s some tension there and starts to think, why?
Beghe: It’s out of [Voight’s] hands. All he can do is encourage her and try to support her as best he can. But he’s also an extremely resourceful person, and if something happens, then he’s capable of making adjustments. Let’s face it, this is a guy who was put in prison for taking out a hit on a Chicago firefighter. Then he ended up finding a way not only out of prison, but leading the most elite unit in Chicago. So he’s a resourceful guy.
In happier news, Upton and Halstead are engaged! What are we going to see next? Telling the others? Wedding planning? The wedding itself?
Spiridakos: I’m not sure if there’s going to be an actual wedding this season or if that’ll come later. There was a scene where there was some ring picking out. And as a scene kind of unravels, everyone’s like, “yeah, we knew, whatever.” As far as the wedding goes, I’m not sure when that’s going to happen, if, who knows?
Lori Allen/NBC
But there’s still a matter of why she proposed — which he brings up — at least in the first place. Is that going to come up again or is that resolved?
Spiridakos: The why of it, I think, is resolved in that moment. I think Hailey meant it. I think she realized in that moment how he’s this great thing in her life and she was afraid to lose him and it came out of this really vulnerable place, but I think it was a truthful and honest place. They both deeply care for each other, but there’s some stuff that comes up that they have to figure out going forward.
What about Voight’s personal life?
Beghe: It’s a big secret. I believe Voight goes home, he eats food and sleeps occasionally. And he consumes beverages from time to time. That’s what I believe he does.
So there’s nothing in this love life coming up?
Beghe: He loves his unit. … The reality is that he has a deep love and care for the people of Chicago and the people that he’s particularly closest to. There’s certainly a deep connection. But I think perhaps if I was going to get psychological about it, sometimes if you allow yourself to feel this great responsibility for a group, it can be a way to prevent yourself from getting your heart broken. I think that he’s certainly not over the loss of his wife. He never cheated on his wife. He wasn’t that kind of a guy, and he still feels completely devoted to her, so it’s not like something that he’s white-knuckling. It’s not interesting to him. His heart is living elsewhere. I think it’s been quite a while and it may change.
How is Intelligence doing as a unit? Burgess has to recover, so are we going to see a time jump so she’ll be back? Who does she lean on?
Spiridakos: She’s back right away. We see what her struggles are coming back, I think in the second episode. But there isn’t too much of a jump, right, Jason?
Beghe: It’s a question of whether or not she feels ready to go at it. But yeah, I think mostly in the second episode, she starts to deal with it. She’s eventually gonna heal from the physical wounds, but it’s still a journey to heal from the psychological ones and her ability, or even desire, and to what extent she’s going to be a police officer or not. And she’s got Makayla. There’s a lot going on with her.
Spiridakos: It’ll be interesting to see Hailey and Kim with what has happened with Roy and Hailey and that dynamic and not being able to tell Kim and what that will feel like. I would love to see some of that.
Beghe: Ultimately Burgess has got to rely on Burgess, and I think that that’s the journey, to feel confident enough to be able to feel safe. It takes a lot of cojones to be a cop like she is, and that’s something you have to rely on yourself ultimately.
Chicago P.D., Wednesdays, 10/9c, NBC
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I'm still not adapting to Upton's character. She's too wishy-washy. One minute she's bending the rules for her benefit and then she's judgemental and nervous Nelly the next! Still liked Erin's character much better.
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Disappointed. Expected more of the Kim Story but the writers made it about Hailey. She for me isn't a really good fit for Chicago PD. She isn't convincing of a character. And I wish they kept the romance at a minimal on police shows. They need more action! Like other shows. My opinion and I know others opinion as well.
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I agree 💯
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Love Chicago PD. But can't understand why it's a big secret that Upton shot the guy that was trying to kill Voight? She was doing her job! But now that Voight has buried the body it's a different story. Still love it and love Voight's character.
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I was very disappointed, wish I’d watched the other show I like. Hopefully the new season will get back to more like the one’s I’m watching on over the air tv. I agree with the comments on uptown’s character she isn’t a good fit
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I was totally disappointed in the 1st. episode..
I’m not a fan of the character of Haley ..She is so tough in the other episodes.. and now she’s puking in the alley..???
Way to much being all about her..
Please get back to the REAL CHICAGO PD scripts..
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maybe the puking in the alley is a symptom and signal of something else? Which may also partially explain the quick decision to want to marry Jay? and for the haters out there, it might be a decent way to write her off the show as she made the decision to not be a cop and mom at the same time, etc.
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Love Chicago P.D.! Season Premiere definitely had multiple dynamics, but kept up with it. Great job and looking forward to this new season. Just a little side note, miss the entire Original Cast too, but understand that sometimes changes have to be dealt with....miss Erin's character too. Wish she would have stayed as part of Intelligence. Thank you to all the Cast, present and past, for making Chicago P.D. a must watch for me. Trudy? You are so awesome....love the way your Character is ever evolving, handling it all.
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Excellent show love PD a lot don’t miss Lyndsey at all Halle way better great actress played this part with Voight perfect 🤩
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I am totally a Chicago, anything, I love Hank Voight; Yes, he can be a bit unorthodoxed, BUT his ends; generally , justify the means. His heart and love for his team; I Love. You only need to believe; Hank, will get the job done, by any means necessary. That's realistic, for me; particularly; in a city like Chicago. I'm beginning to agree with the previous assessments on Haley. She is coming off a little wishy washy. Romance wise; how many of these officers are going to sleep with the same lady cops. Don't forget Roman and Kim; HECK , may as well throw Atwater; in there , with his Fine self. By the way; will Atwater, Ever get a chance with love. Maybe; his only one interest will be released from jail some how. Anyways; was there no statue of limitations, on that offense, from years back. I absolutely hate; Al and Erin are MIA, and leaving Al, No room for return. Erin was a great character for me. I like Haley and Kim,too, but Erin was Hank's clone; more of a do whatcha gotta do girl. Adams sweet, Atwater; choose your battles, although; I loved the way you finished the Blue Wall Sgt. That was cool‼ Just PLEASEEEEE don't ever remove Hank Voight; he's irreplaceable. I mean; if the man tells you; your face, is going on the stove; LISTEN.
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I agree!! She's never had any problems with shooting someone before! Suppose to be so tough and now she suddenly has a conscience?? Just stupid!!!!
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Love all the chicago world
But was dissatisfied with how they handled kim being shot. I was hoping to see Atwater perhaps crying and yelling as he ran into the ED with kim in his arms and asking for help for his dear friend.
Also wanted to see ruzicks reaction with the news as he
Arrived at the hospital just in time to hold her hand as she is taken into surgery telling Burgess to fight and that he loves her and forgives her.
Always disliked Upton's character since she was first introduced. Character is all over the place. Jay deserves better. When r they going to give atwater a special someone and expand his character more.
Love voight and his love for his chicago pd family.
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I AGREE WITH ANNIE, UPTON IS WISHY WASHY,SHE HAVE DID STUFF BEFORE,BUT NOW LIKE SHE CANT HANDLE IT🤭
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Too many romances. Police work, please. There was a precedent set in earlier seasons when Voight said, no relationships in Intelligence. So, either there is/are breakups coming, or a cast member is going to written out one way or another.
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Ruzek and Voight are a disgrace to Chicago P.D., a slob and a loudmouth. Take your pick. Only make believe both unwatchable. Hailey and Jay make the show.
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