Jesse Lee Soffer Is Returning to Chicago P.D.—But Not as Halstead

Chicago P.D. fans, we have some excellent news. While Jesse Lee Soffer made his final run as Detective Jay Halstead in Season 10, Episode 3 ("A Good Man"), the actor is returning later on in the season. But this time, he'll be behind the camera.

Variety exclusively reported on October 20 that Soffer will direct Episode 16 of P.D., which will premiere some time in 2023. As of now, there are no other details about the storyline. In celebration of the news, the actor tweeted a simple emoji message to his fans.

When we last saw Halstead, he'd resigned from the Intelligence Unit to work with the military in Bolivia to track down drug cartels. He left his job and his wife, Hailey Upton (Tracy Spiridakos), behind. (Hailey is currently hyper-focused on a human trafficking case as she deals with her husband's absence.)

"It's black and white, it's good and bad, it's right and wrong, and it's no more of this," Halstead said in his final episode. "I need that. I need that back. I fly out today. It's not forever, it's eight months, maybe a little longer. But I swear to you that we're 'gonna get through this because you're the love of my life, and if I'm yours, then you'll know that you have to let me go."

Showrunner Gwen Sigan told NBC Insider at the time, "We all really wanted to do justice for Halstead's character as best we could—to who he's been for the show—we really wanted to make that decision to leave his own decision. For it to come from him. It felt important to keep him alive and keep him out in the world trying to do good. The idea of him getting back to who he was gave us that opportunity."

As for Soffer, he left a heartfelt tweet for his fans following his exit.

"For anyone that’s ever been a Halstead fan, I just want you to know that I’m grateful," he said. "Thank you for going on this journey with me. I’m just grateful."

Watch Chicago P.D. on NBC Wednesdays at 10/9c and next day on Peacock.