Why Sophia Bush Really Left Chicago P.D. (It Wasn't About the Script)
For years, fans of Chicago P.D. assumed Sophia Bush left the show for typical TV reasons — creative differences, wanting new roles, maybe just boredom. Turns out, it was none of those things.
Bush, who played Detective Erin Lindsay for four seasons, didn't just walk away from the show — she fought her way out. On an episode of Dax Shepard's Armchair Expert podcast, she explained that the decision came down to health, working conditions, and what she bluntly described as "a consistent onslaught barrage of abusive behavior."
That's not exactly a graceful exit.
She said she stayed as long as she did because the people above her essentially guilt-tripped her into believing that leaving would put the whole production — and everyone's jobs — at risk.
"When your bosses tell you that if you raise a ruckus, you'll cost everyone their job, you believe them," Bush said.
She described feeling trapped in a toxic work environment while pushing herself to keep going out of loyalty to the crew.
"I realized that as I was thinking I was being the tough guy, doing the thing, showing up to work, I programmed myself to tolerate the intolerable. My body was, like, falling apart, because I was really, really unhappy."
The production's physical environment didn't help either. Bush said that shooting in Chicago's brutal winters was causing health issues — for her and others — and she raised concerns repeatedly. According to her, those concerns were ignored.
By the time she decided she was done, getting out of her contract wasn't easy. She said she had to threaten legal action and media exposure to force the network's hand:
"I said, 'OK, you can put me in the position of going quietly of my own accord, or you can put me in the position of suing the network to get me out of my deal — and I'll write an op-ed for The New York Times and tell them why.'"
She didn't need to follow through on the lawsuit or the op-ed — the threat was enough. NBC let her go.
To recap, here's what led to her departure:
- "Consistent abusive behavior" on set
- Repeated health issues from cold-weather shoots
- Bosses allegedly warning her that leaving could tank the entire show
- Bush threatening to sue and go public to get out of her deal
So no, it wasn't about the writing, the plotlines, or even the franchise. It was about survival. And for Sophia Bush, getting out of Chicago P.D. wasn't just a career move — it was damage control.