Tracy Spiridakos’ Crime Drama Can Revive USA Network’s Blue Sky Era

A former Chicago P.D. star is moving on to an exciting new crime drama that could have major implications for network television at large. The One Chicago universe— with series dedicated to police, firefighters, and medical professionals in one shared setting— has been one of the most iconic franchises of the modern age since Chicago Fire premiered in 2012.

Dick Wolf’s collection of spinoffs hasn’t been without its losses, however. Plenty of actors have left One Chicago, with many memorable characters either killed or written out of the Windy City. Fortunately, talented actors from the One Chicago universe have been able to forge ahead with new roles, and one former member of Chicago P.D. is next on deck.

Tracy Spiridakos Will Lead The USA Network’s Newest Crime Drama

Tracy Spiridakos as Hailey Upton looking curious off camera

Undeniably, one of the most memorable Chicago P.D. characters was Detective Hailey Upton, portrayed by Tracy Spiridakos. Upton first appeared in Chicago P.D. season 4, wherein she recurred before being promoted to a main character in season 5. The detective became an integral member of the CPD Intelligence Unit, marrying (and later divorcing) Jesse Lee Soffer’s Jay Halstead.

Sadly, Tracy Spiridakos left Chicago P.D. after season 11 to pursue other acting opportunities. After spending seven years playing Detective Upton, it’s understandable that Spiridakos was ready for a change. Thankfully, Tracy Spiridakos will soon have the chance to broaden her horizons and play the titular role in an upcoming crime drama based on Nevada Barr’s best-selling novel series.

Tracy Spiridakos will play Anna Pigeon in the USA Network’s 2026 series. Just like the novels, Spiridakos’ Anna Pigeon has been teased as a park ranger with a tragic past who channels her pain into crime-solving sprees. Ironically, Pigeon bears some similarities to Upton, but Nevada Barr’s unique storylines ensure the series will remain markedly different from Chicago P.D.

Anna Pigeon follows the USA Network’s recent trend of ordering book-to-TV adaptations. Earlier this year, the network began promoting The Rainmaker, a legal drama based on the John Grisham novel and 1997 film starring Matt Damon. While Anna Pigeon and The Rainmaker will both follow well-known source material, the USA Network seems poised to offer fresh takes on familiar narratives.

The USA Network’s Focus On Original Series Suggests A Return To Blue Sky Programming

Both Anna Pigeon and The Rainmaker are brimming with potential for the USA Network, which was once a powerhouse producer of original content. Granted, both scripted series are based on existing properties, but in a world of endless spinoffs and reboots, the USA Network is bravely taking a chance on adapting lesser-known properties for a modern audience.

The network’s change in focus indicates that a new golden age for the USA Network may be on the horizon. From the early 2000s to the mid 2010s, the USA Network championed the “blue sky” approach to programming, which was focused on creating character-driven titles which, despite drama and intrigue, maintained an underlying current of easy and breezy optimism.

Many of the USA Network’s biggest blue-sky hits are still regarded as masterpieces, from the genre-bending detective procedural Psych to the suave, smart, and sexy world of Suits. Some of the USA Network’s main characters— like Gabriel Macht’s Harvey Specter— were trailblazers for brand-new archetypes that, decades later, can still merely be imitated.

Around 2016, the USA Network pivoted to grittier series, abandoning its blue-sky brand. Yet, based on descriptions of Anna Pigeon and The Rainmaker’s promising trailer, it seems the USA Network has set itself up to have the best of both worlds. Within its new and upcoming series, USA can reincorporate blue sky elements into serious storylines.

Why Television Needs A Blue Sky Renaissance Now More Than Ever

Tracy Spiridakos as Hailey Upton in Chicago PD season 11

If the USA Network is truly bringing back the heart of its blue sky era, it couldn’t be at a better time. The world needs the heady escapism that blue sky television provides, and the highly-anticipated return of character-first writing would give the USA Network a much-needed competitive edge. Furthermore, the return of blue-sky programs could benefit the entire industry.

In a landscape where every channel seems laden with melodrama, a blue-sky resurgence would offer actors and audience alike a reprieve from the seemingly constant onslaught of heavy, emotionally-taxing twists and turns. Tragedy has become so commonplace, it has infected even the most reliable series— like 9-1-1’s first main character death, which led former fans to boycott the show altogether.

Similarly, blue-sky storylines could help the originality drought we have been stuck in. Franchise expansions have been abundant in recent years, but the 2024-25 cycle canceled many spinoffs, both beloved and loathed. Some endings, like Suits LA’s failure, felt inevitable. Unfortunately, others were prematurely left on the chopping block, from Fox’s 9-1-1: Lone Star to two of CBS’ FBI installments.

Of course, the USA Network revisiting its blue-sky approach won’t magically fix all the disappointing trends in modern television— but it would surely be a step in the right direction. Both The Rainmaker and the Chicago P.D. alum’s Anna Pigeon could usher in a new age of clever, comforting, and— above all else— creative programming.

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