Jesse Lee Soffer became a household name in the world of Dick Wolf thanks to Chicago PD. Now eyes are on whether he’ll return to the series due to the disappointing fate of FBI: International.
CBS made the shocking decision to cancel FBI: International after four seasons. Soffer had just joined the series as the Fly Team’s new boss, Wes Mitchell, making it clear that he wasn’t planning on returning to Chicago PD any time soon.
That could change now. By Soffer being available again, it could open the door for Halstead’s return in Chicago, and there are a few storylines that could benefit from him returning.
Halstead needs to be there for the Burzek wedding in Chicago PD
We know that the end of Chicago PD season 12 will finally bring us the wedding that we’ve been waiting for. It’s all about Burgess and Ruzek finally tying the knot, and this is sure to be a much bigger deal than when Halstead and Upton got married.
Chicago PD fans would love to see Halstead return for the wedding. It would allow for a bit of closure around the character, who left rather abruptly to reenlist and then forgot all about his life and wife in Chicago, leading to Halstead and Upton divorcing.
Halstead could help with the Reid problem
Then there’s the Reid problem in Chicago PD. Voight currently has ASA Chapman on the case, but he could probably do with other help. What better help than someone in the military? Halstead would know people who could deal with the darker parts of Reid’s life.
Of course, this would mean that the Reid storyline would need to go into Chicago PD season 13, which hasn’t been confirmed yet. Soffer is still tied up with FBI: International until it ends, and that series films across Europe, so it’s not like he could pop to Chicago just for a few days to film some scenes.
It’s unlikely that Jesse Lee Soffer will return to Chicago PD
Let’s be honest, though. As much as we would love to see Soffer return to the series, this isn’t likely. After all, it was Soffer who chose to leave in the first place. It did look like it was the show’s decision at first, but Soffer was ready for something new after 10 years with the same series. That’s what he got with FBI: International.
He has returned to direct episodes. This is how we’ll likely see him make a comeback in the future. The only way Halstead will return is if there is the necessary and believable story there.
Chicago PD airs on Wednesdays at 10/9c on NBC. Catch up the following day on Peacock.
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