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Jesse Lee Soffer's Chicago P.D. future confirmed as he lands major new TV role

Jesse is returning to the Dick World TV World but in a very different role


Jesse Lee Soffer's Chicago P.D. future confirmed as he lands major new TV role© AFF-USA/Shutterstock
Nicky Morris
TV and film writer
June 21, 2024
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Jesse Lee Soffer has landed a series regular role on the fourth season of the CBS drama FBI: International. It comes over a year after the actor announced his departure from Chicago P.D. after eight years. 

But while both shows come from Wolf Entertainment, Jesse will not be reprising his role as Detective Jay Halstead in the One Chicago show, according to Deadline. The show had left the door open for Jesse when his character relocated to Bolivia with the Army for eight months.

WATCH: Have you caught up with the latest season of One Chicago shows?

Instead, Jesse has replaced Luke Kleintank, who portrayed Scott Forrester in FBI: International since its very first episode and left the show toward the end of season three. 

Jesse will play a new character in the procedural drama, although further details about his role have yet to be released. 

CHICAGO P.D. -- "Closure" Episode 901 -- Pictured: Jesse Lee Soffer as Jay Halstead© Getty
Jesse Lee Soffer left Chicago P.D. in season ten

Sharing the news on social media, Jesse penned: "Cats out of the bag. Very excited to join the @FBICBS team! Big thanks to @CBSTV, Matt Olmstead, and Wolf Entertainment. Let’s goooooo!"

Fans were quick to congratulate the star on his exciting news, with one person writing: "Congratulations @jesseleesoffer!!" while another added: "Congrats, on your new role! Can't wait to see you in action. You're going to be amazing!"

Jesse Lee Soffer in Chicago PD © NBC
The actor has joined FBI: International

Others shared their sadness over Jesse's Chicago P.D. departure, with one person writing: "Congratulations! But sad to see the end of Jay and Haley," while another encouraged him to return to the show: "Miss you on Chicago PD but good luck on your new adventure!"

Back in 2023, Jesse opened up about the reason behind his departure: "I really wanted to grow and expand, and we've only got this one trip. If I signed up again, it would have been for another three years," he told Variety

Jesse Lee Soffer as Jay Halstead© NBC
Jesse left the show after eight years

"I would have turned 40 on the show. I thought, 'You know what? It's time to take a risk.' Eventually, you know the character so well, there's not much that can shift or transform," he continued.

Since Jesse's exit, his on-screen love interest Tracy Spiridakos, aka Hailey Upton, has also left the show. "I decided at the end of my sixth season, which is when I had reached out to Gwen and to everyone at Wolf to let them know that I just wanted to do one more year," the actress told Variety ahead of the season 11 finale. "I wanted us to send out the character with one last season.

Tracy Spiridakos as Hailey Upton
Tracy Spiridakos played Hailey Upton for six seasons

"It was a hard decision — very, very hard. I love everybody on the show — cast, crew, producers, writers, everybody. It's such an incredible team. I was just curious what was out there for me and wanted to switch it up, and that was it."

Now that Tracy has left, Jesse's return to Chicago P.D. seems even more unlikely. Plus, he'll have a busy schedule now that he's signed onto FBI: International, which is filmed in Europe.

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