Chicago P.D. showrunner Gwen Sigan addresses an FBI: International crossover with Jesse Lee Soffer’s new character. The possibility of Soffer reprising the role of Jay Halstead resurfaced recently when the actor expressed an openness to returning to Chicago P.D. despite his on-screen involvement with FBI: International, which is technically part of the One Chicago universe. The actor has not appeared on One Chicago since Halstead’s controversial exit in October 2022.
In an interview with Screen Rant‘s Rachel Foertsch, Sigan was asked about Soffer showing up to Chicago P.D. as his new FBI: International character Wes Mitchell. The executive producer and showrunner sounds unconvinced about the idea that Soffer would play two characters, though she adds that Halstead could also return to One Chicago as a one-off. Read the response below:
Yeah! I don’t know how we’d do it! He’d have to play two characters, but I think he could always come back to our show as Halstead for a one-off. There are so many opportunities. It’s funny to have him now in a whole different universe as a different character.
Soffer’s FBI: International Character Explained & What It Means For One Chicago
Wes Mitchell Is A Very Different Character
Soffer joined FBI: International season 4 earlier this year, as Wesley “Wes” Mitchell, filling the void left by departing cast member Luke Kleintank, who played Supervisory Special Agent Scott Forrester. The character has a generally more relaxed vibe, compared to Halsted, knowing when to get serious and when to lean back. It’s worth noting that the FBI shows and One Chicago all fall under Dick Wolf’s Wolf Entertainment production company, which routinely reuses actors for different characters.
Related
Every Show In One Chicago’s Shared Universe Explained
One Chicago is only one of three Dick Wolf franchises on TV, but all of his other shows are connected to the franchise in various ways.
The situation with Soffer is a little different for two reasons. The first reason is that there’s a loose connection between the main FBI series and Chicago P.D., which crossed over once in the past, though that doesn’t include FBI: International. The second reason is that Halstead’s departure from Chicago P.D. proved extremely unpopular. He essentially abandons his wife, Hailey Upton (Tracy Spiridakos), in pursuit of a case, and the two end up divorcing. Spiridakos later left Chicago P.D. herself. Soffer has been open to coming back as Halstead, though nothing is in the works on that front.
Our Take On Halstead’s Potential Chicago P.D. Exit
It Will Take Time
Halstead could eventually show up back in Chicago P.D., with both the showrunner and the actor signaling that a brief return would benefit the story. But at least for the moment, it sounds like the surefire way to see Soffer is through his new role as FBI: International‘s Wes Mitchell. Still, considering both worlds are under the same umbrella, some bit of closure may not be out of the question.
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A spinoff of Chicago Fire, this police procedural drama follows the detectives and the uniformed patrol officers of the Chicago Police Department as they work to crack cases and put criminals behind bars.
- Release Date
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January 8, 2014
- Cast
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Jason Beghe
, Marina Squerciati
, Patrick John Flueger
, LaRoyce Hawkins
, Amy Morton
, Jesse Lee Soffer
, Tracy Spiridakos
, Jon Seda - Creator(s)
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Michael Brandt
, Derek Haas
, Matt Olmstead - Seasons
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12
- Writers
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Dick Wolf
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FBI: International follows the elite agents of the FBI’s International Fly Team as they travel globally to protect Americans. The series focuses on their complex missions, navigating international law, and challenges posed by various jurisdictions, demonstrating the high-stakes nature of their work.
- Release Date
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September 21, 2021
- Cast
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Carter Redwood
, Vinessa Vidotto
, Luke Kleintank
, Heida Reed
, Eva Jane Willis
, Christiane Paul
, Christina Wolfe
, Sarah Junillon
, Stefan Trout
, Eric James Gravolin
, Jeremy Sisto
, Greg Hovanessian
, Michael Torpey
, Moe Irvin
, Jesse Lee Soffer
, Asher Miles Fallica
, Stephanie Hoston
, Jon Tarcy
, Elizabeth Mitchell
, Alana de la Garza
, Adam Fidusiewicz
, Miklós Bányai
, Kelley Missal
, Julian McMahon
, Natalie Shinnick
, Aaron Serotsky
, Alon Aboutboul
, Alexander Sokovikov
, Christina Rouner
, Jay Paulson
, Barbara Eve Harris
, Laila Drew
, Connor Price - Creator(s)
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Dick Wolf
, Derek Haas - Seasons
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4
- Writers
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Dick Wolf
, Derek Haas
