After 10 seasons playing Det. Jay Halstead on Chicago P.D., Jesse Lee Soffer is returning to Dick Wolf's TV universe — this time in a new role.
The actor has joined FBI: International season 4 as a series regular, Entertainment Weekly has learned. Rather than reprising his role as Halstead, Soffer will play a newly created character on the CBS procedural, with details yet to be revealed.
News of Soffer's casting comes two months after the departure of FBI: International mainstay Luke Kleintank, who played series lead Scott Forrester for three seasons. Since Scott was the grizzled agent heading up the International Fly Team, his absence leaves a significant void for the story to fill.
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Jesse Lee Soffer.
Tibrina Hobson/Getty
Addressing his exit in April, Kleintank said, "After much thought and consideration, I've made the difficult decision to leave FBI: International. This decision is driven by my unwavering commitment to my family, whose love and well-being are paramount in my life. I'm profoundly thankful for the extraordinary cast and crew of the show, who have not only been colleagues but also a family away from home."
Created by Wolf and Derek Haas, FBI: International follows the elite operatives of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's International Fly Team as they travel across Europe to track and neutralize threats against American citizens. The upcoming fourth season will also see the return of Carter Redwood as Andre Raines, Vinessa Vidotto as Cameron Vo, Christina Wolfe as Amanda Tate, and Eva-Jane Willis as Smitty Garretson.
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Jesse Lee Soffer on 'Chicago P.D.' and Luke Kleintank on 'FBI: International'.
NBC/CBS
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After playing Jay on Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., Law & Order: SVU, and Chicago Med, Soffer turned in his badge in 2022, writing, "To create this hour drama week after week has been a labor of love by everyone who touches the show. I will always be proud of my time as Det. Jay Halstead."
Fans have remained hopeful that Jay could still be seen back in action, since his departure was far from finite, with the former detective leaving Intelligence to return to the army in Bolivia. Since exiting the show, Soffer has made behind-the-camera returns to Chicago P.D., directing two episodes.
FBI: International season 4 is set to air Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET/PT this fall on CBS.
