In a move that has left fans of the One Chicago universe both thrilled and heartbroken, Jesse Lee Soffer is officially back in the Dick Wolf world—but not as the fan-favorite Detective Jay Halstead. Instead, Soffer is trading in his CPD badge for a brand-new identity as a series regular on Season 4 of FBI: International.

Yes, you read that right. The former Chicago P.D. star, who spent ten seasons portraying the fiercely loyal and emotionally grounded Halstead, is stepping into an entirely new role within Wolf’s sprawling procedural empire. And his arrival on FBI: International signals not just a fresh chapter—but likely the final one for Halstead.

Soffer joins the elite International Fly Team, taking over as the show’s new lead following the exit of Luke Kleintank (Scott Forrester), who left near the end of Season 3. This casting shift is more than just a character swap—it’s a seismic change for the series, positioning Soffer at the center of high-octane international missions, political intrigue, and globe-trotting investigations.

For FBI: International, this is a bold evolution. With Season 4, the show is reloading with one of the most charismatic and emotionally nuanced actors from the Chicago P.D. roster. Soffer’s presence will no doubt bring gravity, complexity, and fierce fan engagement to the team’s operations across Europe.

But what does this mean for fans still clinging to hope for a Halstead comeback?

When Soffer left Chicago P.D. in 2022, his character Jay Halstead was written off with the open-ended decision to join a covert Army task force in Bolivia. The door was left ajar. Soffer himself even fanned the flames, saying, “Halstead’s always going to be in my blood.” But now? That door may have just closed—for good.

With Soffer taking on a completely new character in the CBS arm of the Wolfverse, a Halstead return becomes far more complicated. And while Chicago P.D. fans may grieve, FBI: International viewers are gaining a seasoned actor with built-in star power.

Behind the scenes, the transition is seamless. The new season is produced by Wolf Entertainment and Universal Television, with longtime Wolf collaborator Matt Olmstead serving as showrunner. And with Soffer joining veterans Carter Redwood, Vinessa Vidotto, Christina Wolfe, and Eva-Jane Willis, the revamped Fly Team is ready for liftoff.

With crossovers always on the table in the Wolf universe, fans are already speculating: could Soffer’s new character ever collide with someone from his Chicago past? Could Halstead exist in a parallel timeline? For now, that’s wishful thinking.

One thing is clear—Jesse Lee Soffer is back. But this time, it’s not Chicago he’s saving. It’s the world.