How Will ‘Chicago P.D.’ Write Out Jay Halstead in Season 10?
Will it be Upstead forever? Or does “forever” have an end date for the Chicago P.D. couple, with Jesse Lee Soffer (who has played Detective Jay Halstead since the beginning of the series, following his introduction on Fire) exiting and considering their line of work?
In August, Soffer announced he was leaving the NBC procedural in the fall, with an exact episode date for his departure not yet set. In his statement, he thanked the fans, his castmates, the producers, and crew and said, “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.”
So far nothing has been said that leaves the door open for him to return, which means that P.D. killing off Halstead could very well be in the cards. After all, it’s a dangerous job and he wouldn’t be the first member of Intelligence to be killed off, should things go that way. And just imagine how that would affect the unit, given that he’s been there since the beginning, he and his partner Detective Hailey Upton (Tracy Spiridakos) are married, and he and Voight (Jason Beghe) are close, despite their (multiple) conflicts over the years. Plus, that could reverberate throughout One Chicago, given his brother, Will (Nick Gehlfuss), is a doctor on Med.
But P.D. could easily have Jay switch units — maybe he and Voight butt heads one too many times — and therefore his and Upton’s marriage isn’t over just as quickly as it began. (They did elope just last season.) It’s hard to imagine P.D. having him leave town, at least permanently, given the Upstead of it (and Spiridakos did hashtag Upstead forever in her message about Soffer’s exit). After all, they’ve been in a good place since getting married.
Lori Allen/NBC
However Jay is written out, Intelligence will never be the same, given that P.D. will be losing the dynamic we’ve been used to since the beginning of the show. Who will call Voight out like Jay does? Who will be Upton’s partner in the field?
Chicago P.D., Season 10 Premiere, Wednesday, September 21, 10/9c, NBC
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O
Fire is not the same without Casey. The loss is too big. Same here. The dynamic, as mentioned, so many repercussions... too many shows are screwing with success or at least disappointing loyal fans. Med lost a few they should have, but also some that's hurt them really badly. Loss goes with the territory- TV shows, but now more than ever we are looking for a bit of stability to help us escape from the realities in these often nightmarish times.
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It would be great if Dick Wolf would create “FBI Chicago “ and have Jay transfer there and lead that team!
However, I’m going to miss Jay, like I have missed Al andeveSam Hunt aka (Mouse). Even Roman played by Brian Geraghty. These guys are some great actors and I miss them dearly.
Best of luck in your future endeavors Jesse. I’ll be watching you in your next show or movie.
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Leave it open that if he wants to come back to Chicago PD that he can the show won't be the same without him
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G
Jay was my absolute favorite, besides Voight that is. It's going to be hard to watch without him being a part of it. Hope he goes onto bigger better things instead of getting killed off.
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P
I hope that he is not killed off as AL was. TV shows should leave well enough alone. One gets comfortable with a weekly show. It takes our minds off off daily stresses. Learn that the viewers are the important part of a good show. Not the commercials. Leave the casts alone. Get new writers if the old ones can't come up with story lines. Fire and PD are going to be hard to adjust too with the losses.
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They are ruining the 2 best shows on television. Casey and Jay are now gone. Jon is gone. Chicago fire isnt worth watching anymore. Jay and Antonio were the two best on there. If Atwater leaves I wont watch pd anymore. I dont watch fire anymore.
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O
I'd would love for Erin to get kidnapped/held hostage..Jay still being in love with Erin takes off to bring her home but they decide its time to quit law enforcement
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G
Yes!!!!! I can hardly watch without her. They were perfect together
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C
Yes. Best scenario ever. I can hardly watch without her. Never got into upton Jay and Erin were perfect together .
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G
I think he new when he and Haley married he was leaving, which leaves her out in the cold. Which is sad, I realize his life goes on. I'm just sorry to see them have to either go through him being transferred or dying. Either way it's not good!
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B
I think losing him and Hailey is no bid deal!! Maybe now Burgess and Ruzak will get some better storylines and a somewhat happier life together!!!
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I think they shouldn't have not let Hailey and Jay get marry if he was going to just leave her like this because they have not show them as a couple since they tied the knot!! So I guess this is it!; For Hailey and Jay!! He said he would follow her anywhere so sad!! My advice to Hailey stay single after having your heart broken like this!!
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He was one of the whiniest and arrogant characters on the show. His constant overblown hero complex was exhausting and did not represent law enforcement and/ or veterans realistically. He also never developed any meaningful friendships on the team other than his dates and Voight.
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The show hasn’t been the same since Lindsay left. They should send him to work with her. She was the perfect match for him. Not kill him off.
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I agree with auramac’s post below. Fire has NOT been the same since Casey’s departure and I feel PD won’t as well with Jay’s absence. Also, I really don’t understand why many of the most popular tv shows are doing the same thing. Will we see Tom Seleck leave Bluebloods next?!!!
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P
Jay and Haley are my favorite! I am really bummed that they are writting him out. They just got their happy (Jay & Haley) and it makes me sad that they would take a character that, in my opinion, is the glue of the unit. I probably won't be watching as consistently as I do now with Jay in it. They made a really bad decision to let him go. If it was the actors decision that is understandable. But if it is the higher ups, the show will suffer, which is unfortunate since Ruzek & Burgess are still there. They would be my only reason to watch any more.
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G
Sorry to see Jay Halstead go he is a good part of the show. But I wish him well. Be safe on your new endeavors and Semper Fidelis.
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G
I don't watch this show but I do watch SVU. I'm confused as to why NBC feels the need to get rid of 2 major characters/actors from 2 of their most popular series?
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It stinks. Ur invested in each character after watching it for 9 years. His character had its up n downs, but he was the one who checked everyone. Like losing Antonio, it causes unstablness n the glue that he instilled within the team. Like when chicago med lost a lot of staple characters... sometimes the whole show loses its "thang", and is never the same.
Sad to see his leave, and curious as to how they will play it out!!
I'd like to know the "why" he is choosing to leave... ??!!
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O
They will definitely have to kill him off because he is married.
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O
Bad mistake. He helps make the show. Will miss him
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G
Ruzek will be Hanks next Al. Jay is okay but, I agree with Trustno1 with both his comment and his name. 😃
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Do not do this you will kill the show !!! Big mistake......Why do you people write off popular characters I'm so mad right now !!😡😡😡
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I don't think Jay should leave I think him and Hailey should leave to toughter Bethany are married and that the story should end he save life from going to jail and that come back bit her in the butt so she should leave too
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I Hate to see Jay go but good luck Jesse.
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