It is the kind of thing that makes One Chicago fans lose their collective minds. You spend years watching two characters—Jay Halstead and Hailey Upton—navigate the grittiness of Chicago's Intelligence Unit, only to realize the "acting" might not have been all that much of a stretch. Honestly, the Jesse Lee Soffer relationship with Tracy Spiridakos is the worst-kept secret in television right now, even if they haven't exactly called a press conference to announce it.
They are low-key. Like, "we live in Budapest and don't care if you know" low-key.
The Upstead Magic: Is It Real?
Yes.
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By now, you've probably seen the vacation photos. If you haven't, just head over to Instagram. In August 2025, Jesse posted a carousel that basically served as a soft launch for the ages. It wasn't just a group shot. It was a "we are very clearly together and loving life on a beach" vibe. They were lounging together, making faces at the camera, and looking a lot more relaxed than their characters ever did while chasing down suspects on the South Side.
Rumors started swirling back in early 2024 when the New York Post dropped a bit of a bombshell. They claimed the duo had been dating for "years" behind the scenes.
It makes sense.
Think about the timing. Jesse left Chicago P.D. in Season 10. Tracy followed him out the door in Season 11. Since then, they’ve been spotted everywhere from Portugal to France. Most recently, while Jesse was filming FBI: International in Europe, Tracy was right there with him. Fans even pieced together that they share a dog named Nala. When Nala passed away recently, they both posted tributes that felt very much like a shared household mourning.
What Happened With Sophia Bush?
You can't talk about Jesse’s dating life without mentioning the Sophia Bush era. This was the original "Upstead" before Upstead was a thing. Back in 2014, when Chicago P.D. was the shiny new toy on NBC, Jesse and Sophia (who played Erin Lindsay) were the "it" couple.
They dated for about a year.
It was a very different vibe from his current situation. They were public. They were on the red carpets. But by June 2015, the spark fizzled out. Sources at the time said they just "grew apart." There was no big drama, no messy tabloid blowout. Just two people realizing that working 14-hour days together on a freezing Chicago set doesn't always translate to long-term romance.
Actually, they stayed friends. When Sophia left the show in 2017, Jesse was one of the first people to publicly wish her well.
The Torrey DeVitto Chapter
Then came the Chicago Med crossover.
In 2018, Jesse started dating Torrey DeVitto. If you’re keeping track, yes, that is three co-stars from the same franchise. People like to joke that Jesse treats the One Chicago casting office like a dating app, but honestly, when you spend that much time in the "Berman" (the Chicago production hub), who else are you going to meet?
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Jesse and Torrey were great together for a minute. They went to Scotland. They did the Instagram thing. Jesse even told Us Weekly that everything was "awesome."
But by May 2019, it was over.
Eight months is a classic Hollywood relationship lifespan. They both deleted the vacation photos—the universal sign of a millennial breakup—and moved on. Torrey is now married to director Jared LaPine, so that chapter is firmly closed.
Why Jesse and Tracy Work Differently
There is something different about how he handles things with Tracy Spiridakos. Maybe it’s maturity. Maybe it’s the fact that they aren't forced to play a couple on screen anymore, so the pressure is off.
Fans have noticed a pattern:
- They never confirm the "dating" label in interviews.
- They post photos that are just suggestive enough to be romantic but just platonic enough to provide cover.
- They seem to follow each other across continents.
When Jesse moved to Budapest for FBI: International, Tracy wasn't far behind. There are reports from fans and locals that they basically live together there now. It’s a total 180 from the public nature of his past relationships.
It’s almost like they learned from the Sophia and Torrey years. If you don't talk about it, the tabloids can't ruin it.
The Timeline Nobody Talks About
Most people think they started dating after Jesse left the show.
The rumors suggest otherwise. Some "insiders" (take that with a grain of salt) claim the romance goes back as far as Season 6 or 7 of P.D. If that’s true, they pulled off one of the greatest stealth missions in Hollywood history. They worked together as husband and wife on screen while keeping a real-life relationship buried for years.
That takes discipline.
It also explains why their chemistry was so off-the-charts. You can't fake that kind of comfort.
What’s Next for the Couple?
Neither Jesse nor Tracy seem to be in a rush to get married. As of early 2026, Jesse is still technically a bachelor. He’s mentioned in the past that he values finding the right partner and taking time to "cultivate a connection."
Translation: He's happy where he is.
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Tracy is currently working on her own projects, including the show Anna Pigeon, but she seems to prioritize her time with Jesse. They’ve traded the "One Chicago" spotlight for a quieter life in Europe.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Don't expect a wedding announcement: They’ve proven they love their privacy. If they do get married, you probably won't find out until six months after the fact.
- Watch the background of their photos: They often post from the same locations (like Annecy, France) a few days apart to keep people guessing.
- Follow their career moves: Jesse’s transition to directing and starring in FBI: International has clearly dictated where they spend their time.
At the end of the day, Jesse Lee Soffer's relationship history shows a guy who prefers to find love at work but has finally learned how to keep that love away from the cameras. Whether they ever "hard launch" or not, the evidence is pretty clear: Upstead is alive and well, just under different names and in a much better climate.