5 Undeniable Signs Jesse Lee Soffer And Tracy Spiridakos’ Real-Life Romance Is Stronger Than ‘Upstead’

The off-screen relationship between former Chicago P.D. co-stars Jesse Lee Soffer and Tracy Spiridakos remains one of Hollywood’s most intriguing and passionately followed mysteries. As of December 2025, the pair have consistently fueled speculation that their characters' intense on-screen chemistry as Detective Jay Halstead and Detective Hailey Upton has blossomed into a real-life romance, affectionately dubbed "Trasse" by fans. While the actors have chosen to remain private, their frequent joint international travels and cozy social media posts—especially following Soffer’s departure from the Dick Wolf universe—paint a compelling picture that their bond is far more than just a friendship.

The intense fan curiosity surrounding their relationship is a direct result of the beloved "Upstead" storyline on the NBC drama, which saw their characters navigate a tumultuous partnership that ended in marriage and, eventually, a heartbreaking separation. Now, with both actors having moved on from the show, their continued closeness and recent public outings, including a much-discussed European vacation, serve as the freshest evidence that the Halstead-Upton romance might actually be thriving off-camera.

Jesse Lee Soffer and Tracy Spiridakos: Complete Biography and Profile

To understand the depth of their connection, it is essential to know the individual journeys of the two actors who captured the hearts of the One Chicago fandom.

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Jesse Lee Soffer (Detective Jay Halstead)

• Full Name: Jesse Lee Soffer
• Date of Birth: April 23, 1984
• Place of Birth: Ossining, New York, U.S.
• Career Highlights: Soffer began his acting career at the age of six, starring in a Kix cereal commercial. His early major roles included a five-year stint as Will Munson on the CBS soap opera As the World Turns, for which he received multiple Emmy nominations. He became globally famous for his role as Detective Jay Halstead, a former Army Ranger turned Intelligence detective, on Chicago P.D., a role he held from the show's premiere in 2014 until his departure in Season 10 (2022).
• Post-P.D. Career: Following his exit, Soffer returned to the show to direct an episode in Season 10, demonstrating his continued commitment to the production.

Tracy Spiridakos (Detective Hailey Upton)

• Full Name: Panagiota "Tracy" Spiridakos
• Date of Birth: February 20, 1988
• Place of Birth: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
• Career Highlights: Born to Greek immigrants, Spiridakos spent a portion of her childhood in Greece before returning to Canada. She studied at the Actors Training Centre of Manitoba. Her breakout role came as Charlie Matheson on the post-apocalyptic drama series Revolution, which earned her a Saturn Award nomination. She joined the Chicago P.D. cast in Season 4 as Detective Hailey Upton, quickly becoming a fan favorite and Halstead's partner. She announced her departure in Season 11.
• Cultural Background: Spiridakos is Greek-Canadian, a heritage she has occasionally referenced in her public life and social media.

The ‘Upstead’ Phenomenon: From Partners to a Broken Marriage

The foundation of the intense interest in Soffer and Spiridakos’ personal lives is the volatile, yet deeply romantic, journey of their characters, Jay Halstead and Hailey Upton. Their dynamic, known as "Upstead," became the central romantic pairing of the series.

A Slow-Burn Romance on Chicago P.D.

Halstead and Upton were initially introduced as partners in the Intelligence Unit, a classic slow-burn trope that captivated viewers. Their relationship was characterized by deep professional trust and mutual respect, which eventually crossed the line into romance. The pairing was a significant focus for showrunner Rick Eid and the creative team, filling the void left by other popular relationships like "Linstead."

The Tumultuous Marriage and Halstead’s Exit

The couple spontaneously married at the courthouse in Season 9, solidifying their commitment under pressure. However, their happiness was short-lived. Jay Halstead's sudden, dramatic exit in Season 10 saw him leave Chicago to take a job leading an Army unit tracking drug cartels in Bolivia. This departure left Upton heartbroken and their marriage in limbo, creating one of the most devastating romantic cliffhangers in the show’s history.

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The unresolved nature of the Upstead marriage on screen—Upton eventually removed her wedding ring—only intensified the desire among the fandom to see the actors together in real life. Fans longed for a happy ending for the pair, and Soffer and Spiridakos’ off-screen closeness provided the perfect canvas for that hope.

The Real-Life Timeline: Five Signs Their Romance is Real

Despite their consistent refusal to officially confirm a relationship, the actors' actions, particularly since Jesse Lee Soffer’s 2022 departure from Chicago P.D., have provided a compelling timeline of a bond that goes beyond mere friendship. These public appearances and social media posts are the primary fuel for the ongoing dating rumors.

1. The Post-Departure Closeness and Constant Support

Following Soffer’s exit from the Dick Wolf drama in 2022, his public appearances and social media activity shifted, often featuring Spiridakos. Unlike typical co-stars who drift apart after a show, the two remained inseparable. Spiridakos was one of the most vocal supporters of Soffer’s directorial debut on the show, sharing behind-the-scenes photos and praising his work, a clear sign of deep personal and professional respect.

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2. The August 2024 European Vacation and Shared Photos

Perhaps the most compelling evidence to date is their joint European vacation in August 2024, which sparked a significant renewal of dating speculation. The former co-stars shared a series of picturesque photos from their trip to Lisbon, Portugal, and other European destinations. While they posted separate photos, several images clearly featured the other actor, including a cozy selfie shared by Spiridakos. These intimate travel photos, far from a typical cast reunion, suggested a level of shared personal time indicative of a romantic partnership.

3. The Cozy 'Wine and Cigar' Outing

In a separate public sighting, Soffer and Spiridakos were spotted enjoying a cozy "wine and cigar" night together. Photos from the outing showed the two in comfortable, relaxed settings, further suggesting a long-term, established dynamic rather than a formal, one-off meeting. These casual yet intimate moments are exactly what fans point to as proof of a quiet, private relationship. The consistency of these sightings has led multiple outlets to report on the rumored relationship as an open secret in the One Chicago community.

4. Recurring Public Appearances and Cast Entity Inclusion

Even when attending events with other Chicago P.D. cast members like Patrick John Flueger (Adam Ruzek) or Marina Squerciati (Kim Burgess), Soffer and Spiridakos are frequently photographed side-by-side. Their inclusion in each other's social media posts is far more frequent and personal than with other former castmates, often accompanied by heartfelt captions. This consistent pairing over several years, even after their characters' storylines diverged, suggests a deeply intertwined personal life.

5. The Unofficial Confirmation from Minor Outlets

While major news organizations maintain the "rumored" status due to the lack of an official statement, several smaller, fan-focused entertainment news sources have outright claimed that the couple is indeed dating, with some even suggesting the romance began "for years" prior to Soffer’s exit. This disparity highlights the actors' desire for extreme privacy, a characteristic that often accompanies high-profile, long-term relationships in the entertainment industry.

The Future: Will the Actors Ever Confirm 'Trasse'?

The intense fan interest in the "Trasse" relationship is unlikely to fade, especially with Tracy Spiridakos’ own departure from Chicago P.D. in Season 11. With both actors now free from the demands of the Intelligence Unit set, they have even more time to pursue shared projects and travel, inevitably leading to more social media posts that fuel the speculation.

For now, Jesse Lee Soffer and Tracy Spiridakos are enjoying their private lives away from the spotlight that defined their years on the Dick Wolf procedural drama. Whether they eventually choose to confirm their relationship or continue to let their public actions speak for themselves, the real-life chemistry between Jay Halstead and Hailey Upton’s portrayers remains one of the most captivating stories in television today.

Their enduring friendship, or possible romance, is a testament to the powerful bonds forged on the set of the long-running series. Fans of the Upstead storyline can take comfort in the fact that, even if their characters couldn't make it work, the actors who brought them to life are clearly thriving together.