Landing on a hit show can change someone's life in a hurry, regardless of how long they've been in Hollywood. Shows like SVU and Veronica Mars were able to change the game for their lead performers, which is why many would love the chance to star on a popular series.
Sophia Bush broke out as a television performer years back, and she wound up finding another hit series with Chicago P.D. Bush, however, would depart the show early, leading many to wonder why.
Let's hear what she had to say about leaving her hit series.
Sophia Bush Is A Successful Actress
Television fans have long been aware of Sophia Bush and the the talent that she brings to the small screen, and this is thanks to the fact that Bush has been involved in multiple hit shows during her career. This is difficult for any performer to pull off successfully, but the actress has done it with ease.
Bush first broke out as a television star back in 2003 when she landed the role of Brooke Davis on One Tree Hill. She was phenomenal on the show, and after appearing in over 180 episodes, she was a legitimate television star with a bright future.
Over time, Sophia Bush would continue landing roles of all sizes on the small screen. She has gone on to appear on shows like Chicago Fire, SVU, Chicago Med, Jane the Virgin, and This Is Us.
Her list of credits is impressive, and playing the role of Erin Lindsay in the Chicago television franchise was a huge win for the actress.
She Was Great On 'Chicago P.D.'
From 2014 to 2017, Sophia Bush was one of the major players on Chicago P.D., which was able to reach a large audience in no time. Performers who have had previously-successful shows on television will always be watched closely, and fans were thrilled with what Bush was able to do while starring on Chicago P.D.
While on the series, Bush's character goes through a lot early on, and Bush wanted a hand in crafting the character's story.
"I pitched a six or seven-episode arc, but at the end of the day, I’m not one of the most successful producers in television. I don’t win those battles, but I do put all of my trust in Dick [Wolf] and Matt [Olmstead] and our team and they just said, 'Listen, we can’t have you gone for that long. The show doesn’t work like that. We tried to have you leave for an arc last season and the fans hated it so much that an eight-episode arc became a two-episode storyline.' I went, 'Ah, you’re right,'" she told The Hollywood Reporter.
Clearly, Bush loved playing the character, but she surprised many when she up and left the show after its fourth season.
Why She Left
So, why did Sophia Bush leave Chicago P.D. behind, despite the series being a success? The actress opened up about what was going on behind the scenes, and based on her words, it's safe to say that no one would blame her from leaving that type of environment behind.
According to Bush, "It was a consistent onslaught barrage of abusive behavior."
When speaking on Armchair Expert, Bush would give a lot of details about working on the show, including some of the conditions she was forced to film in and the pressure that was placed on her behind the scenes.
When speaking on filming conditions, she said, "It's literally 30 degrees below zero ... so, it's 62 degrees below freezing, and you're gonna say we have to keep working outside?"
Bush eventually realized that she needed to do what was best for her and not give into the weight on her shoulders.
"I quit because, what I’ve learned is I’ve been so programmed to be a good girl and to be a workhorse and be a tug boat that I have always prioritized tugging the ship for the crew, for the show, for the group, ahead of my own health. My body was, like, falling apart, because I was really, really unhappy," Bush told Dax Shepard.
Since Bush's departure, the show has carried on for 5 more seasons and nearly an additional 100 episodes. There is no denying that it has been a major hit, but one has to wonder if things have changed on set to improve working conditions for all involved with the hit series.
As great as Sophia Bush was on Chicago P.D., no one would blame her for leaving based on what she revealed.
