Although many hope that Jesse Lee Soffer will come back to Chicago PD, it's time he leaves the show behind and looks ahead to a new project. Soffer starred as Detective Jay Halstead in Dick Wolf's NBC police procedural for many years. After about a decade, though, the actor left and joined the cast of FBI: International, also co-created by Wolf.
Unfortunately, CBS canceled FBI: International in 2025, only one season after Soffer's arrival. Both Chicago PD and FBI: International belong to the Dick Wolf universe, which includes all the One Chicago shows, the FBI franchise, and the Law & Order series, meaning Soffer's history with Wolf is quite rich. However, he doesn't have to stay in the TV legend's broadcast universe forever.
Jesse Lee Soffer Has Been In The Wolf Universe For 10 Years
Soffer First Appeared In Chicago Fire
Jay Halstead looking to the side in Chicago PD
Wolf has been creating hit cop TV shows since 1990, but Soffer wasn't cast in one until 2013. Still, that means he has been attached to the producer for at least a decade, as the actor went from one of Wolf's series to another. Two years after leaving Chicago PD, Soffer signed on to take over as the lead in FBI: International.
Soffer's first appearance as Halstead didn't happen in Chicago PD. He was actually first seen in the second season premiere of the original One Chicago show, Chicago Fire. The procedural drama introduced Halstead as an undercover police officer, shadowing a mobster who had been threatening Gabby Dawson. After completing his assignment, he joined the Intelligence Unit and became a Chicago PD main character.
As mentioned above, though, CBS canceled FBI: International (and FBI: Most Wanted) in March 2025. So, Soffer has been in the Dick Wolf universe for 10 years, not counting the years between his two TV series. It's high time for the actor to spread his wings and leave Wolf's network TV franchise behind, and perhaps join a different police procedural.
Soffer's Next Best Project Is Joining Derek Haas' Countdown
Countdown Premiered In 2025
Countdown cast walking together
Derek Haas, the One Chicago franchise's co-creator alongside Wolf and Michael Brandt, released a new show in 2025 that Soffer would be perfect for. Haas exited the Dick Wolf universe (he also co-created FBI: International) in 2022 to work on new projects. His first complete one is Countdown. The Prime Video crime drama's first season debuted in June 2025 and has 13 episodes.
Countdown stars Jensen Ackles as Mark Meachum, an LAPD detective assigned to a task force, which includes other law enforcement officials from different agencies. It's created to track down the murderer of a police officer. However, as one would guess, not everything is as it seems, as the characters soon unravel a bigger and darker conspiracy while trying to solve their original case.
Prime Video hasn't renewed Countdown for a second season, as of the writing of this article. But if (and when) the streaming platform does, it should consider casting Soffer in a new role. He and Haas have a long history, having worked on Chicago PD alongside one another for many years before reconnecting with FBI: International. Now, they can reunite once more.
The good news is that Haas is more than open to the idea of Soffer signing on to play a new character in Countdown season 2. During an interview with TV Insider, the creator/showrunner discussed working with Soffer and whether he and the other Countdown producers could weave him into the story, maybe even reprising his role as Halstead. Haas said:
"Believe me, that's crossed my mind. I don't know that we can get [Soffer], but that would be really fun. I guess [Chicago PD's Halstead] was an Army Ranger also, and it's like maybe he and Meachum were in the same unit. It was like a Halstead Meachum reunion. That sounds awesome. Crossover!"
Who Soffer Could Play In Countdown
Soffer Should Deviate From Halstead
Jesse Lee Soffer as Halstead looking concerned in Chicago PD
Although Haas was thinking about Soffer playing his fan-favorite Chicago PD character in Countdown, it would be best if he played someone new. Soffer reprising his role as Halstead in a show that's not Chicago PD doesn't feel right. Plus, since many want Soffer to return to the NBC cop show, his appearing as Halstead in Countdown would just be a tease.
So, instead of trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, Soffer should star as a new character in the Prime Video crime drama. It would be a fresh change of pace. It also allows Soffer to spread his wings and branch out, playing an archetype that he has never portrayed before. Maybe the actor could embrace a villainous role.
Ultimately, if Soffer isn't coming back to the Dick Wolf universe, he should try a new project. Countdown could be the perfect solution. It contains something familiar (Haas), but it's also something completely different. Whatever the case, we'll be waiting to see what Soffer does next, whether it's returning to Chicago PD, joining the Countdown cast, or a third option.
Chicago PD returns with season 13 on Wednesday, October 1, at 10 pm ET on NBC, following the premieres of Chicago Med season 11 at 8 pm ET and Chicago Fire season 14 at 9 pm ET.
Source: TV Insider
