There is still a sense of Halstead’s story being unfinished in Chicago PD. However, don’t expect to see that story revisited in Season 12.
Jesse Lee Soffer chose to leave Chicago PD during Season 10. There was a storyline set up in the first three episodes that saw Halstead realize that he was changing in a way that he didn’t like. He ended up resigning and re-enlisting.
We had hoped that we’d get some positive updates via Upton about her husband’s whereabouts. Instead, Halstead ghosted her and extended his enlistment. It was a shock to Upton and a shock to fans, leading to Upton filing for divorce.
This did seem somewhat out of character for Halstead. Some fans have wanted to see him return to explain himself, but don’t expect that to happen in the series. At least, not in Chicago PD Season 12.
Jesse Lee Soffer has landed a gig outside of Chicago PD
Soffer is joining a different Dick Wolf series, and it’s not one of the One Chicago ones. While set in the same universe, we won’t get to see Halstead again. Like fellow One Chicago actor Colin Donnell, Jesse Lee Soffer is stepping into FBI: International as a new character.
We don’t have the character details just yet. Suspicions are that he will join the series as the new leader of the Fly Team. As much as we would love to see Vo step up as leader, she had only just rose up to second-in-command. She is still a little inexperienced, so it would make sense for the FBI to send in someone else to replace Forrester as the leader.
This makes it almost impossible for Soffer to return to Chicago PD as Halstead. FBI: International films around Europe, while Chicago PD films in Chicago. The schedules would clash too much.
Plus, we don’t necessarily need Halstead to return. While it was out of character for some, the storyline is done. Upton has moved on, and there’s not really anyone in Chicago to bring him back there. After all, even Will Halstead in Chicago Med has moved away.