‘Chicago P.D.’ Boss on Jesse Lee Soffer’s Return as Director — Will He Appear Onscreen?
If you’re worried about Chicago P.D.‘s Detective Hailey Upton (Tracy Spiridakos) now that she can’t focus on building a case against sex trafficker Sean O’Neal (Jefferson White), you’re not alone. Ever since her husband, Jay Halstead (Jesse Lee Soffer) left, she’s been using work to distract herself, but so much is up in the air regarding their future and how that will continue to affect her. With Soffer returning to direct later this season, might we see him onscreen again as well?
“We’ll definitely hear about what’s going on, for sure, and tell stories about that absence,” showrunner Gwen Sigan tells TV Insider. “There are no plans to see him onscreen, but we’re very excited that he is coming back and directing one. I think he’s gonna really enjoy it. I think it will be a nice opportunity for him.”
In the fall finale, just as Upton and Sergeant Hank Voight (Jason Beghe) were going to arrest Sean, they heard gunshots and found his father, Chief O’Neal (Michael Gaston) dead. Sean, however, was still alive, despite his own wounds. Though Upton hesitated, she did eventually step in to help Voight try to save his life, and they succeeded. White will be back, in Episode 12, but now there is the question of how Upton copes with having to face what she has been avoiding.
“Once the distraction is gone, you have to go back home, and what is that gonna do to her? We’ll see the fallout of that and see the reality that she’s pushed away everything, and she’s had this great distraction and this thing she could just throw herself into,” Sigan says.
“But now it’s gone, and the reality of her situation has not changed. Her husband, her partner, is gone. She does not know if he’s coming back, and she’s still married to him, and she’s living in the house that they got together,” she continues. “It’s just a hard place to be in. So she’s gonna have to look at it now; she’s going to have to deal with it and find out what it means for her that he’s not here.”
Chicago P.D., Winter Premiere, Wednesday, January 4, 10/9c, NBC
Intelligence Has Your Back
Get absolutely everything about Chicago P.D. in your inbox!
Conversation2 Comments
Please read the TV Insider Community Guidelines.
Comments are closed on this story.
-
C
“There are no plans to see him onscreen, but we’re very excited that he is coming back and directing one. I think he’s gonna really enjoy it. I think it will be a nice opportunity for him.” That's basically what Gwen Sigan told ET in an interview yesterday, prior to the fall finale. She said, "Yeah, I would never say the door is closed. There haven't been any conversations, but we love him. It's always going to be an open door." Okay, so why haven't you even discussed it with him yet? When Jesse confirmed his departure in August, he tweeted: "This is sad but true. Just want all the fans to know how grateful I am. You guys are why we do it! It has been an honor. Love you all." So, he's probably open to at least one appearance. He's already returning to direct, which confirmed there was more to his departure than initially reported (just like I thought). Clearly, he wanted to explore directing like a lot of actors on long-running shows eventually do. I'm glad Jesse's getting that opportunity. He deserves it, and it's a smart career move. He'll probably love it. But, why haven't they even approached him about an appearance? Jesse's been on set for months, shadowing Brian Luce to learn the ropes of directing. It's not like he hasn't been available to ask, and I highly doubt he'd say no. Even if he did say no, why hasn't there even been a conversation?
1
-
E
To be honest I want Jesse Lee Soffer back in screen as Jay Halstead exspecialy back with Hayley I was so looking forward to seeing what the writers have in store for those two if they would start a family or something. The relationship that I want to see break up for good this time is Adam and Kim's supposed of been romance between them I'm so sick and tired of their emotional roller-coaster romance between them. I want to see Kim and Adam happy with other people than each other. The writers needs to also send in new love interests for Kevin Atwater instead of the ones they're sending him cough Vanessa cough Celeste. I would love it if Dr Scott sister could be his love interests instead. I also thought Benjamin Torres would be a good love interests for Kim Burgess instead of Adam.
1
Watchlist Easy access to only the shows you care about — all in one simple place
Alerts Only important notifications — when a show is returning, when it becomes available to stream, and more.
Special Offers Exclusive products we release related to your favorite shows and streaming services