Welcome back to the Windy City. Jesse Lee SofferHe may have been his last on-camera moment Chicago P.D. appearance — but he’s returning to the NBC series in the director’s chair.
VarietyOn Thursday, October 20, it was reported that Soffer, 38 will return to direct episode 16 Dick Wolf show’s 10th season after departing the procedural as Detective Jay Halstead earlier this month. The episode will air sometime in 2023.
The New York native star in 189 episodes of the series. He confirmed in August that he would be departing after the first three seasons of season 10. Soffer — and his character — said goodbye to Chicago P.D.Jay quit the police force on October 5 and split with Hailey Upton (the episode).Tracy SpiridakosFor a job as an army officer in Bolivia, please click here.
“I took the job. I’ll be posted in Bolivia. It’s black and white. It’s good and bad. It’s right and wrong. It’s no more of this. I need that. I need that back,” Jay explained to Hailey during the emotional moment. “It’s not forever. It’s eight months, maybe a little longer. But I swear to you that we’re going to get through this because you’re the love of my life, and if I’m yours, then you’ll know that you have to let me go.”
Soffer announced his departure from NBC in a statement issued on August 29, 2009.
“I want to thank the incredible fans for their unwavering support during the past 10 years and want to express my deepest gratitude to Dick Wolf and everyone at Wolf Entertainment, Peter Jankowski, Matt Olmstead, Derek Haas, Michael Brandt, Rick Eid, Gwen Sigan, NBC, Universal Television, my fellow castmates and our incredible crew,” he told Variety. “To create this hour drama week after week has been a labor of love by everyone who touches the show. My time as Det. Jay Halstead.”
The In TimeStar later used social media to share the news with viewers. “This is sad but true. I want to express my gratitude to all our fans. We do this because of you guys! It’s been an honor. Love you all ❤️,” he wrote via Twitter.
At the time, Soffer’s costar Spiridakos, 34 — who plays half of the fan-favorite couple Upstead — showed her support for her onscreen love interest, writing via Instagram, “Jesse, what can I say, you’re the absolute best. We appreciate your kindness, your support and your friendship. You’re the greatest onscreen husband a girl could ask for. I’ll miss being on set with you every day. I can’t wait to see what the world has in store for you next. #upsteadforever.”
Soffer, on the day of he departure, addressed his exit by live-tweeting with his last moments with fans.
“I left it all out there for this one. Episode 1003 Chicago PD, ‘A Good Man’ airs tonight at 10/9 central on NBC. Who’s watching with me?” he captioned several stills of the heart-wrenching episode.
Chicago P.D.Wednesdays at 10 p.m., NBC. ET.
