A former Chicago PD star just landed a new crime show gig that sounds like it's going to be a great leading role for her. We have all the details about Tracy Spiridakos's new show.
Chicago PD hasn't had as much cast turnover as other One Chicago shows yet a few actors have come and gone since the show started. Lisseth Chavez only lasted one season, but nicely bounced back after she was let go with Legends of Tomorrow and now stars on The Rookie.
Likewise, Jesse Lee Soffer wasn't out of work for long after leaving as Jay Halstead, as he landed a lead role on the final season of FBI: International. Hopefully, that show's cancellation won't stop Soffer from continuing on television.
Now, Tracy Spiridakos is set for a new show, her first acting role since leaving her part as Hailey Upton on Chicago PD. Spiridakos entered the show late in its fourth season and became a regular in season 5. She played the tough Chicago cop for eight seasons, including a short-lived marriage to Halstead.
Spiridakos departed in the season 11 finale with Upton taking on a new federal job, although fans didn't know which agency she chose. Now, the actress has lined up a new gig that puts her in the lead role!
What is Anna Pigeon?
Deadline broke the news that Spiridakos has been cast in the lead role of the new USA Network crime show Anna Pigeon. It comes from showrunner Morwyn Brebner, who has experience with crime shows, producing Rookie Blue. Also, actress Lea Thompson will co-produce and direct several episodes.
Based on the novels by Nevada Barr, Anna Pigeon "is a former city slicker who became a park ranger after a devastating loss changed the trajectory of her life forever. While Anna tries to outrun her demons, her focus turns to solving crimes that have taken place within national park grounds, no matter who or what gets in her way."
The show is part of USA Network returning to scripted dramas after years ignoring them. Many will recall the 2000s-2010s wave of "blue sky" shows from USA Network that included Monk, Psych, Suits, In Plain Sight and more. The first of these new shows is The Rainmaker, based on the John Grisham novel, which premieres on Thursday, Aug. 15.
Anna Pigeon sounds like just the sort of fun and breezy procedural drama that USA Network used to specialize in. The park ranger storyline is more unique, taking place in parks and forests rather than the city and provides ample chances for some original crimes.
It will be great seeing Spiridakos back on TV and in a lead role to boot. It sounds like Pigeon is her type of role, some painful backstory that she channels into her job as a ranger. Upton was much the same, and the actress can sell the intensity, although hopefully a bit more light-hearted, so it's not too dark.
The show is expected to arrive in 2026 to add another crime saga to USA Network's long history and let Chicago PD fans enjoy a past star in a new role.
Anna Pigeon to debut on the USA Network in 2026.
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