Chicago PD season 8: Jesse Lee Soffer teases the evolution of Jay’s relationships

Chicago PD is known for its many complicated relationships and we’re not just talking about its many steaming romantic relationships. While romantic storylines might often take a front seat, the show has established a lot of beautiful and complicated relationships which have been on full display in Chicago PD season 8.

From the interactions between the various members of the Intelligence Unit to their interactions with the members of the community they’ve sworn to honor and protect, Chicago PD has built a foundation upon the personal and professional relationships of the men and women in the Chicago Police Department using them to fuel the show’s storytelling.

Among the show’s more complicated relationships is the one between Detective Jay Halstead (Jesse Lee Soffer) and Sergeant Hank Voight (Jason Beghe).

While some members of the unit have been more apt to take to Voight’s unique style of policing, Jay has never quite had a problem pushing back against his boss — especially when he doesn’t agree with him or his course of action in handling a suspect or case.

Halstead and Voight have a new mutual respect in Chicago PD season 8

While we’ve seen Jay push back against Voight in the past, there hasn’t been quite as much pushback from Jay so far in Chicago PD season 8. However, as star Jesse Lee Soffer revealed to One Chicago Center during NBC’s midseason press event, fans should expect to see the two butt heads again soon but not in the way we’ve seen in past seasons.

“You will see more of [Jay pushing back against Voight], but maybe not in the way it played out in previous seasons. Their relationship’s really grown and there’s a mutual respect,” Soffer teased.

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This mutual respect between Jay and Voight is something which we’ll see play heavily in the upcoming episodes. As Soffer teased, while there will be some pushback from Jay, it’s not necessarily coming from a place of distrust as we’ve seen at times in the past.

“Halstead appreciates what kind of cop Voight is, and Voight appreciates what kind of cop Jay is,” Soffer elaborated. “They might not see eye-to-eye and Jay might push back at times, which you’ll see in episodes coming up, but it doesn’t mean he doesn’t totally believe in Voight and trust Voight.”

Halstead is looking out for Voight’s best interests in Chicago PD season 8

Of course, the biggest source of confrontation between Jay and Voight in the past has often stemmed from Voight’s less than conventional means to an end, particularly his decision to blur the lines to get results.

As their relationship has evolved, Jay has suddenly found himself becoming more protective of Voight and his boss’s best interests. “In some ways [the relationship between Jay and Voight] has changed in that Jay’s looking out for Voight’s best interests,” Soffer teased.

With the political climate changing, Jay seems to realize now more than ever that Voight’s old ways don’t work anymore and his decisions to push back stem more from his desire to help Voight be the best he can be in the new world.

“He wants Voight to be his best and he wants Voight to succeed,” Soffer said of the character’s dynamic. “In the new world — with progress and everything that’s going on in current events — Voight might need to be a different kind of cop to do that, from Jay’s perspective.”

More Upstead ahead in Chicago PD season 8

Of course, Jay’s complicated relationship with Voight isn’t the only relationship that has evolved quite a bit in Chicago PD season 8. In the season’s spring premiere, “Tender Age,” Jay finally gave in to his feelings for Hailey  (Tracy Spiridakos) with the couple sharing a passionate kiss that delighted longtime Upstead shippers.

While things have been quiet on the Upstead front in the episodes that have followed, Soffer promises there is still more to come from the couple including a notable moment in the next episode.

“Just because you’re not seeing a certain dynamic play out in one episode, it’s because we have a lot of story we have to cover, and I’m sure you’ll see it in the next episode,” Soffer assured reporters when asked about the couple’s future. In other words, don’t fret Upstead fans as there is still plenty to come as Chicago PD season 8 nears its conclusion! 

For the latest Chicago PD season 8 spoilers and news, plus more on the entire series, follow the Chicago PD category at One Chicago Center.