Jesse Lee Soffer will always be Jay Halstead to One Chicago fans. He was a vital part of Chicago PD for over a decade, and was so believable in the part that it was genuinely upsetting to see him walk away. He’s decided to return to the world of One Chicago, but not in a way that any of us expected.
Soffer will be joining the cast of FBI: International, which is set within the same Dick Wolf universe as One Chicago. Instead of reprising Jay Halstead, however, the actor will be playing a completely new character. It’s a fairly unprecedented move, especially given how popular Soffer was on PD. That being said, we now have information on his FBI character.
Jesse Lee Soffer will play Special Agent Mitchell
According to TV Line, Soffer will be playing Special Agent Wesley “Wes” Mitchell. The character has been described as “charming and rakish,” with an unconventional approach to investigations. While his unique approach often catches fellow FBI agents off guard, Mitchell’s commitment to seeing justice through will make him a valuable asset to the Fly Team.
Mitchell will serve as a replacement for Scott Forrester (Luke Kleintank), who anchored part of the FBI: International team during its first three seasons. The character went AWOL at the end of last season, and it was eventually revealed that he went on the run with his mother, who is a fugitive.
Soffer is replacing FBI star Luke Kleintank
Forrester’s departure was not unlike that of Chicago PD‘s Jay Halstead. Both characters were fan favorites, and were written off their respective shows at the behest of their actors. Luke Kleintank left FBI: International because he wanted to spend more time with his family.
“[It] is driven by my unwavering commitment to my family,” the actor wrote in an official statement. “Whose love and well-being are paramount in my life.” Halstead, meanwhile, was written out of PD because Soffer wanted to try new things as an actor and filmmaker.
While it will take some time to get used to Soffer as “Wes” Mitchell, it’s undoubtedly exciting that he will be back in action in a Dick Wolf procedural.
