‘Chicago P.D.’ star and co-creator reunite for a new show at CBS
Jesse Lee Soffer may have said goodbye to his character, Jay Halstead, and the show 'Chicago P.D.' However, his stint on the small screen is far from over. The actor, soon after wrapping up his part in the fourth and last season of 'FBI: International,' is now preparing for another turn as a law enforcement officer. If everything proceeds as planned, Soffer will portray a DEA agent in a drama tentatively titled 'Strike Force' on CBS, according to TV Line. Along with starring in the drama, Soffer will also serve as an executive producer. For this project, he will reunite with 'Chicago P.D's' co-creator Matt Olmstead. On the CBS series, Olmstead will serve as a writer and executive producer. Soffer and Olmstead previously collaborated on 'FBI: International,' which the latter executive produced.
A logline has already been released for the potential series. According to the logline, a 'battle-tested DEA agent' played by Soffer "returns home to Kansas City to lead a multi-agency strike force targeting the violent criminals now trying to exploit America's heartland." If the series gets picked up, then it will be part of CBS' 2027-28 lineup. Jerry Bruckheimer and KristieAnne Reed are billed as executive producers for the series through Jerry Bruckheimer TV, according to Variety. CBS Studios is on board as a producer.
Soffer, along with his appearance on 'Chicago P.D.,' has also featured heavily on other 'One Chicago' shows, 'Chicago Fire' and 'Chicago Med.' He is also known for his stints on 'Law & Order: SVU,' 'As the World Turns,' and 'Hatfields & McCoys.' Recently, the actor reprised his role as Detective Jay Halstead in a special three-part One Chicago Crossover Event that aired on NBC on March 4. The character remains alive in the 'One Chicago' universe, keeping the door open for future comebacks. Also, he maintains strong behind-the-scenes relationships, evident by his return as a director in the upcoming season. Currently, the actor is represented by UTA and Ethos Entertainment.
Olmstead is mainly known for his collaborations with Dick Wolf throughout his career. He has not only contributed to all 'One Chicago' shows, but also co-created 'Law & Order: Organized Crime.' Other popular television shows in his filmography include 'NYPD Blue,' 'Prison Break,' 'Breakout Kings,' and 'Stumptown.' As of now, no other actor apart from Soffer has been reported to be part of the show. 'Strike Force' is one of the many scripted projects currently in development at CBS. The network recently gave a pilot order to single-cam comedy 'Hilda! (In Lights).' This highlights the network's commitment to expanding its scripted slate.
