Tracy Spiridakos Created An Imaginary Tomboy Backstory For Hailey’s Character On Chicago P.D. – Looper

While being interviewed by BUILD about her approach to playing Hailey Upton on “Chicago P.D.,” Tracy Spiridakos was asked what kind of music the detective would like. The actress laughed and replied, “I think Hailey’s like a metal chick, yeah.” Expanding on Upton’s fictional backstory, Spiridakos added, “I think she like rides dirt bikes and is just like a total tomboy.”

Also, figuring into Spiridakos’ road map for Upton’s feisty personality are some telling details from her own childhood home life. “I have two older brothers, and so for me, like I feel that [Upton] has two older brothers.” She went on to note that being the kid sister to a pair of male siblings imbued her with a kind of don’t-push-me attitude. She further explained that dealing with the boys in her family prepared her for enduring challenges, even those that sound a little painful. “My brothers used to wake me up by pulling out, strand by strand, my hair until I would wake up.” So, with her siblings’ inadvertent help shaping Spiridakos’ youthful character, her imaginary inner tomboy now supplies the heart of the hard-charging Detective Upton on “Chicago P.D.”

As for how the actress feels about playing Upton, tomboy and all, Spiridakos told One Chicago Center, “I love that she’s so strong and she’s unapologetic, and she’s a force of nature. She’s a good cop, and she’s smart, and I love that.”