Chicago PD fans furious, confused and devastated by Jesse Lee Soffer exit
By Cody Schultz
Heading into Chicago PD season 10, fans had prepared for an eventful season knowing the season will bring with it the show’s 200th episode. What they did not expect was to be saying goodbye to one of the show’s original cast members.
In a shocking turn of events, Jesse Lee Soffer will be hanging up his gun and badge on NBC’s long-running crime drama after 10 seasons of playing Detective Jay Halstead — a role he first originated on Chicago Fire before making the jump to its offshoot.
According to Variety, who was first to break the news, Soffer will be departing the series this fall which means we’re going to bid farewell to Halstead sometime before the winter break. Aside from the timing, it’s unclear how Halstead will be written out or why the actor is leaving the show. One thing that is certain is that fans have a lot of thoughts about his looming departure.
Chicago PD fans react to Jesse Lee Soffer exit news
Needless to say, Jesse Lee Soffer’s upcoming exit from Chicago PD has left fans with a lot of feelings to process and fans have a lot of thoughts.
Of course, a common theme among fans is an overwhelming sense of sadness in knowing that Soffer will soon be leaving the series and that Halstead will no longer be around after all these years.
Crushed. And heart broken. Jay was the heart & future of that unit/show.
— Cat #upsteadforever (@Iapproveofthis) August 31, 2022
I’m heart broken 💔💔💔
— Calianne (@Cali_1214) August 30, 2022
Others have been left with an understandable feeling of frustration at the idea of losing another series regular with some even vowing to stop watching once Soffer’s final episode airs.
He is the reason I started watching PD when I first saw him on Fire, i was in love, now his last episode will be my last episode 😔 sorry but Jay is the soul of the show, I won’t be watching anymore
— Overthemoon (@OvertheMoon07) August 31, 2022
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Not happy at all. Jay is the reason I started watching CPD in the first place. If he goes so do I.
— Salome (@Salom34461805) August 30, 2022
For many others, there is a fear building over how the writers might choose to write his character off of the show. In particular, there is a real concern among fans as to whether the show might choose to kill Halstead off as part of Soffer’s exit storyline.
I’m just hoping they don’t end is character off as if he dies because I don’t think I could watch the show again. 😢
— Ant (@Antwolf_) August 30, 2022
Noooo… don’t kill him off… pleeease😞 pic.twitter.com/v7jYGxDSQS
— Baby Kakes (@BabyKak68781517) August 31, 2022
While there are a lot of mixed emotions to be processed and many have been filled with sadness, there is also an overwhelming sense of gratitude to Soffer for bringing Jay Halstead to life for the last ten seasons.
Eventually everyone leaves but all we can do is thank @jesseleesoffer for bringing a character like Jay Halstead to life and I just hope he gets a fitting ending. ❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/hnp97PEowH
— Veronica Ramirez ➳ (@ronnie21991) August 30, 2022
Sad but I understand, it's been a decade or so and the actor needs to branch out or else they might start getting type-casted. Hopefully he's character gets a happy ending!
— Vicky Tzalachani 🏳️🌈🌈✨ (@TVDvicky) August 31, 2022
Next. What does Halstead's exit mean for Upton?. dark
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