Sophia Bush Reveals Why She Left ‘Chicago P.D.’

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Months after she exited NBC’s cop drama, Chicago P.D., Sophia Bush is finally speaking out about her decision to leave.

In an Instagram post on Saturday, Bush announced a development deal she struck with 20th Century Fox TV by captioning a photo, “To quote one of my favorite pieces of street art… ‘Don’t call me a ‘boss bitch.’ Call me the boss, bitch.’ I could not be more proud of more excited to put on my executive producer cap and get to work @20thcentury fox #TheDreamIsFree #The HustleIsSoldSeparately.”

As congratulations and criticism rolled through the former One Tree Hill star’s comment feed, Bush replied to her well-wishers and haters. In one particular exchange, she confirmed the choice to leave Chicago P.D. was hers, writing, “Took me a long time and a lot of hard work to get out of that show. Please don’t demean my capabilities by degrading my position. I left because I wanted to. End of story.”

In another exchange, a commenter accused Bush of being “short” in earlier statements about her departure from the hit show.

“I have never stated why I left. And if you’ve read any of my comments which ask for grace, thoughtfulness, kindness, and support of a person empowering herself as ‘short,’ then you don’t know my voice very well. In the same way I don’t appreciate or stand for people being demeaned or belittled in the world, I am no longer willing to be demeaned, called names, or accused of ruining people’s lives in my pursuit of happiness and fulfillment. I will give you that I was short with one person. He called me a ‘twat.'”

Bush portrayed Detective Erin Lindsay for four seasons on Chicago P.D. Her character took a job with the FBI in New York City, leaving behind boyfriend Detective Jay Halstead (Jesse Lee Soffer) and disappointing legions of #Linstead fans.

Chicago P.D., Wednesdays, 10/9c, NBC