'One Chicago' crossover trailer teases an emotional reunion for two long-missed 'Chicago PD' favorites
It looks like fans' prayers have finally been answered, as Detectives Jay Halstead (Jesse Lee Soffer) and Hailey Upton (Tracy Spiridakos) are set to make a bombastic return to the 'One Chicago' universe. The couple was last seen parting ways in a painful long-distance divorce that left fans without closure. Now, that may finally change, as the latest trailer teases a barrage of dramatic moments leading up to Halstead and Upton's long-awaited reunion.
In the first full trailer for the 2026 'One Chicago' crossover, the surprise return of former Intelligence detectives Halstead and Upton is grabbing major attention. The promo showcases explosive moments from the event, including Herrmann caught in a massive blast, but the standout reveal is the long-awaited reunion of Halstead and Upton, as per ScreenRant. Notably, 'Chicago PD' faced strong backlash over how it handled Halstead and Upton's storyline, particularly following Halstead's widely criticised exit.
Their relationship unraveled abruptly, ending in divorce and Upton's departure from Chicago, leaving fans dissatisfied. The new clip suggests there's been no reconciliation since, but their return in the 2026 'One Chicago' crossover gives NBC and Wolf Entertainment a chance to fix the missteps and offer better closure. It's unclear whether Upton and Halstead will appear beyond the 2026 'One Chicago' crossover. With Spiridakos set to lead a new USA Network series, Upton's return to Intelligence is unlikely. Still, their appearance during the 2025–2026 TV season gives 'Chicago PD' a chance to bring both characters back, and keeps the door open for possible future returns.
The three-part 'One Chicago' crossover brings together 'Chicago Med,' 'Chicago Fire,' and 'Chicago PD' for a high-stakes team-up. The event will feature the highly anticipated return of fan-favorite 'Chicago PD' detectives Halstead and Upton, reigniting excitement around the beloved 'Upstead' pairing, as per NBC. "We made a vow to protect this city," Sergeant Hank Voight says in the 15-second 'One Chicago' crossover teaser that aired on Wednesday, February 4, after 'Chicago Med'. The clip teases high-stakes action across the franchise, showing Kelly Severide scaling a Chicago skyscraper and Dr. John Frost (Darren Barnet) rushing into the ER. The standout moment, however, is the tense reunion between Halstead and a blood-splattered Upton, as Halstead nervously tells her, "Good to see you," and Upton responds with a silent look.
Halstead and Upton's separation unfolded mostly off-screen, with Halstead leaving for Bolivia and later cutting off contact, leaving Upton heartbroken. After growing uneasy with the Intelligence Unit's moral ambiguity, Halstead resigned in Season 10 to join the army and hunt drug cartels, promising Upton they'd make their marriage work. The upcoming 'One Chicago' crossover marks Soffer's first on-screen return as Halstead since his 2022 exit. Showrunner Gwen Sigan said the goal was to honor Halstead's character by making his departure his own choice and keeping him alive, active, and trying to do good.