Sept. 1, 2026

Tracy Spiridakos | From "Chicago PD" to USA Network's "Anna Pigeon" | Canadian Mythos

Canadian actress Tracy Spiridakos looks back on seven seasons leading NBC's "Chicago P.D." as Hailey Upton, Greek-Canadian heritage, and demanding stunt sequences.

Show Notes

On this episode of Story & Craft, we sit down to chat with Actor Tracy Spiridakos from "Chicago PD" and USA Network's "Anna Pigeon" to discuss her career and personal stories.

Tracy talks about growing up between Canada and Greece, sharing what it was like working at her family’s Greek restaurant and the connection she still has with her parents' homeland. She also explains what it took to get her start in acting, like balancing three jobs in Vancouver before heading to Los Angeles for her first major round of auditions.

We also discuss her decision to leave a successful seven-year run on a popular TV show to try something new. Tracy explains what it is like playing a sarcastic new character and the realities of filming outdoors on location. It’s a grounded conversation that covers everything from her love of travel and her dogs to the ongoing debate over how to make the best pastitsio.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

[00:03:10] | Introducing all the "cousins" to her friend

[00:05:27] | Moving back to Greece and her dad's hair salon

[00:11:13] | Working at a bank and restaurants while pursuing acting

[00:15:38] | Landing her role on Revolution during her first trip to LA

[00:18:47] | The decision to step away from Chicago PD after seven seasons

[00:23:45] | Connecting with her sarcastic, bad-ass character on Anna Pigeon

[00:29:14] | The feeling of stepping off the plane in Athens

[00:32:52] | Why her initial goal was simply to act full time without side jobs

[00:37:17] | The creative difference between acting in a film versus television

[00:39:31] | The Seven Questions

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