Jesse Lee Soffer's role as Detective Jay Halstead in Chicago P.D. was a significant presence for nearly 10 seasons on the NBC drama. His character's toughness, his intimate relationships with Erin Lindsay and Hailey Upton, and his quick thinking when going after criminals and murderers, lent themselves well to the show's storytelling potential. Halstead also had a tense and meaningful repertoire with his leader, Sergeant Hank Voight. Whenever Voight would go above the law in certain cases to protect the team, Jay had a problem with him because he was used to working strictly by the book.

After Soffer's stunning exit from the show (where Halstead left Hailey alone and was a major void in the Intelligence unit), the Chicago P.D. veteran went on to star in FBI: International, another drama by producer Dick Wolf. On the fourth season of the CBS show, Soffer portrays FBI agent Wesley "Wes" Mitchell, a new leader who's more reckless than Halstead, but is another strategic law enforcement figure. Soffer's decision to leave Chicago P.D. devastated fans, but starring in FBI: International allowed him to star in another series and build on a new character.

Jesse Lee Soffer Left Chicago PD To Explore Other Career Options

The Halstead Actor Wants To Tackle Other Roles And Shows

Soffer isn't the first cast member to depart Chicago P.D. Fan favorites like Jon Seda's Antonio Dawson, Elias Koteas' Alvin Olinsky, and, recently, Tracy Spiridakos' Hailey Upton (who has also appeared in the FBI franchise) have moved on to other projects. Seda would go on to star in another NBC show, La Brea, while Koteas was part of Billy Bob Thornton's Amazon series, Goliath. Soffer's intention to leave Chicago P.D. was also to experience work in other projects. During an interview with Variety, Soffer explained that renewing his contract would mean he'd be on the show for three more years.

Soffer claimed that while he enjoyed being on the series, he felt it was "time to take a risk." Along with pursuing more acting opportunities, Soffer is also interested in directing, which he has already done for two Chicago P.D. episodes after leaving his character Halstead. The Variety interview also mentions how the actor intends to do more directing on television and star in other shows, like a Taylor Sheridan drama reminiscent of Yellowstone, and play the lead role in his series. Thanks to his experience with Chicago P.D., Soffer can command a show and expand his versatility as an actor.

Despite leaving the NBC show, Soffer left the door open on returning, which is significant because Halstead was given an intense and emotional sendoff, but with the opportunity to return to Chicago and reunite with Voight's unit if he wanted to. With certain TV characters like Seda's Antonio Dawson coming back to Chicago P.D. before departing again, or Kelli Giddish's Amanda Rollins returning to Law & Order: SVU regularly after leaving the show, Soffer's Halstead can come back to Chicago for at least an episode or two depending on the storyline.

How Chicago PD Wrote Out Halstead (Why It Was Controversial)

Jay's Exit Was Abrupt And Shocking To Fans Of The Show

Soffer's last episode as Jay in Chicago P.D. was season 10, episode 3, "A Good Man," where Halstead and the Intelligence unit investigate several pharmacy robberies. The case becomes personal for Jay because he connects with a victim who's an army veteran like him, but soon realizes that the victim knows more than he's letting on. When Halstead investigates solo to find the culprit, he ends up killing the man responsible in self-defense, causing Voight and Upton to cover for Jay, upsetting him because he's tired of going above the law and lying to cover themselves.

Soffer delivers a powerful performance in this episode as Halstead because it establishes the character's moral com as both a tough detective and a caring army veteran. However, Jay's exit is controversial because his goodbye is sudden and rushed, especially when it's only three episodes into season 10. Halstead recently married Hailey only to leave her in an emotional state when he res the army to battle cartels in Bolivia. There is also no farewell to his team apart from Voight and Upton, which is a letdown considering Halstead is one of the original characters in the show.

Soffer's Return To Dick Wolf Franchise Explained

The Actor Goes International For His New Show And Character

After a controversial exit for Halstead, Soffer reunited with the Chicago P.D. crew when he directed two episodes, "Deadlocked" in season 10 and "Inventory" in season 11. He also recently debuted as a new character, Agent Mitchell, in FBI: International season 4. While Halstead and Mitchell are both smart and skillful authoritative figures living in Dick Wolf's world, Jay is a serious and sentimental team player. In contrast, Wes is an impulsive leader seeking growth with a new unit. In FBI: International, Soffer proves he can play a different character and become a central figure in another show.

Chicago P.D. season 12 returns with episode 9 on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at 10 pm ET on NBC.