Chicago PD star confesses to being ‘nervous’ for Jesse Lee Soffer’s return as director
By Cody Schultz
While Jesse Lee Soffer might not be planning on returning to Chicago PD in the role of Jay Halstead following his exit from the show earlier this season, the actor will soon be returning in a different role: director.
As previously reported, Soffer is set to return to the series to direct an upcoming episode of the season which will reunite him with his former costars in a new way. His return will mark his directorial debut on the show and it’s an exciting moment for Soffer, but is one that has left one former costar feeling a bit anxious.
Speaking with NBC Insider, Patrick John Flueger revealed that he’s a bit nervous about Soffer’s return as director due to the friendship they share in real life.
"“When you work this closely and you become that close with somebody after a decade, they know you pretty well. So I’m excited for him to direct, but I’m also a little nervous for him to direct,” Flueger revealed. “Cause I don’t know if I’m gonna be able to get through things without laughing. Because I’m embarrassed that Jesse can see right through me like I’m a transparent ghost.”"
While Flueger jokingly confessed to his nervousness about having his friend directing him, he knows his friend has incredible ideas and what it takes to achieve them in a collaborative way.
"“He’s got incredible ideas, he’s able to offer them to actors and to the writers and to camera people in a way that displays diplomacy that I think you have to have when you’re directing TV that maybe you don’t have to have when you’re directing movies,” Flueger added."
What episode of Chicago PD is Jesse Lee Soffer directing?
After stepping away from Chicago PD earlier this season, Jesse Lee Soffer will return later this season to make his directorial debut. As announced by NBC, Soffer will be directing episode 16 which should be airing sometime in early 2023.
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It’s not yet known when the episode will air or what the episode might have in store for the Intelligence Unit, but we anticipate the episode will likely arrive sometime in March.
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