Jesse Lee Soffer and Tracy Spiridakos became one of Chicago P.D.’s most popular on-screen couples, Jay Halstead and Hailey Upton. Years after their characters’ marriage ended, however, interest in the actors’ real-life connection has continued.
The Jesse Lee Soffer and Tracy Spiridakos relationship has never been publicly confirmed as romantic by either actor. Still, their friendship and repeated appearances together have continued to attract attention.
The pair have travelled together, celebrated each other on social media and reunited professionally in 2026. They also adopted a puppy together, adding another notable chapter to their long-running connection.
How Jesse Lee Soffer and Tracy Spiridakos Became Connected
Soffer joined Chicago P.D. from the beginning as Detective Jay Halstead. Spiridakos later joined the series during Season 4 as Detective Hailey Upton.
Their characters initially worked together before their professional relationship developed into a romance. Eventually, Jay and Hailey married on the show.
Their fictional relationship later fell apart after Halstead left Chicago. Soffer departed Chicago P.D. in 2022, while Spiridakos exited the series in 2024.
Although their characters’ story ended on complicated terms, the actors remained connected away from the series.
Are Jesse Lee Soffer and Tracy Spiridakos Dating?
There is no public confirmation from Soffer or Spiridakos that they are dating.
That distinction is important because much of the interest surrounding the pair comes from their public appearances and social media activity rather than a direct statement from either actor.
Fans have noticed the two spending time together on several occasions. Their 2024 trip to Portugal generated renewed speculation after both shared photographs from Lisbon.
The pair were also seen together in other social media posts, keeping the dating rumours alive. However, public appearances alone do not establish the nature of a private relationship.
Their Friendship Continued After Chicago P.D.
Soffer and Spiridakos have continued supporting one another since leaving Chicago P.D.
They have posted birthday messages and celebrated each other’s professional achievements. Spiridakos also publicly praised Soffer following his departure from the NBC drama.
Soffer later moved behind the camera and directed episodes of Chicago P.D. after leaving the main cast. Spiridakos supported his work, while Soffer also praised her performances.
That ongoing professional support has helped keep their friendship in the spotlight.
The Pair Traveled to Portugal Together
One of the most talked-about moments came in summer 2024.
Soffer and Spiridakos appeared to be vacationing in Portugal and separately shared photographs from the trip. Their posts included images from Lisbon and sparked further speculation among fans.
Soffer even captioned one collection of photographs about Europe, while Spiridakos shared her own Lisbon photos.
Although the trip clearly showed that the former co-stars were spending time together, neither actor publicly described it as a romantic getaway.
Jesse Lee Soffer and Tracy Spiridakos Adopted a Puppy
Their connection took another interesting turn in February 2026.
Spiridakos announced that she and Soffer had adopted a puppy named Cali. She explained that the dog had been surrendered to a California shelter and that she and Soffer quickly decided to adopt her.
Soffer also shared news of Cali on his own social media account.
The adoption became one of the strongest public signs that the two remain closely connected in their personal lives. Still, it does not by itself confirm whether their relationship is romantic.
They Reunited as Jay Halstead and Hailey Upton in 2026
Perhaps the biggest development for Chicago P.D. fans came in March 2026.
Soffer and Spiridakos returned to the One Chicago universe for a three-part crossover involving Chicago Fire, Chicago Med and Chicago P.D.
Spiridakos returned as Hailey Upton, now working as an FBI agent. Soffer reprised Jay Halstead, whose character had left Chicago to work with the U.S. Army in Bolivia. Their storylines eventually brought them back together for the same case.
The reunion was especially significant because it marked their first appearances in their Chicago P.D. roles since their respective departures.
Did Jay and Hailey Get Back Together?
Not exactly.
The 2026 crossover gave Jay and Hailey a chance to confront their past. Halstead apologised for the mistakes that contributed to their separation, and the two agreed to get a drink together.
However, the episode did not establish that they were officially back together.
Spiridakos explained that Hailey would need considerable time before fully trusting Jay again. Soffer, meanwhile, suggested that there could still be more of their story to explore.
That leaves the fictional “Upstead” story open-ended, even though the actors’ real-life relationship remains unconfirmed.
Soffer Has Supported Spiridakos’ New Series
Soffer has also continued to publicly support Spiridakos’ career.
In 2026, Spiridakos moved into a new leading role in Anna Pigeon, a USA Network crime drama based on Nevada Barr’s novels. The series premiered in August and gave the former Chicago P.D. star another major television role.
Soffer promoted the project on Instagram, encouraging his followers to watch Spiridakos in the new series.
Their continued public support shows that their professional friendship has survived well beyond their time as co-stars.
Why Fans Continue to Follow Their Story
The interest in Jesse Lee Soffer and Tracy Spiridakos is partly connected to how convincing their chemistry was on Chicago P.D.
Jay Halstead and Hailey Upton became a fan-favourite pairing. Their slow-building romance, marriage and eventual separation gave viewers several seasons of emotional storylines.
Because Soffer and Spiridakos also remained close after leaving the series, fans naturally began wondering whether their off-screen relationship might resemble their fictional one.
Still, it is important to separate fan speculation from confirmed information.
As of August 2026, neither actor has publicly confirmed that they are a romantic couple. Their friendship, travel history, shared puppy adoption and professional support are publicly documented, while the exact nature of their private relationship remains their own.
Jesse Lee Soffer and Tracy Spiridakos Relationship: What’s Confirmed?
The publicly available timeline shows several important facts:
- Soffer and Spiridakos worked together on Chicago P.D.
- Their characters, Jay Halstead and Hailey Upton, married on the show.
- Soffer left the series in 2022, followed by Spiridakos in 2024.
- The actors continued appearing together socially after leaving the show.
- They travelled to Portugal together in 2024.
- They adopted a puppy named Cali in 2026.
- They reunited as Halstead and Upton for the 2026 One Chicago crossover.
- Soffer has supported Spiridakos’ new series Anna Pigeon.
- Neither actor has publicly confirmed a romantic relationship.
For now, the safest conclusion is that Soffer and Spiridakos share a notably close personal and professional bond. Whether that bond is romantic remains unconfirmed.