Two years after his departure from Chicago PDJesse Lee Soffer is staying in the Dick Wolf universe for his big return to series television. As the new team leader of CBS’s globe-trotting police procedural FBI: InternationalSoffer officially moves on from Detective Jay Halstead, the character he played from 2013 to 2022, and begins a new chapter as Agent Wesley “Wes” Mitchell.

Discussions took place between Soffer and showrunner Matt Olmstead, who oversaw the first five seasons P.Dabout whether Jay could play a prominent role FBI: International. After all, One Chicago and FBI Franchises are always connected thanks to a PD FBI crossover episode in 2020. “We joked about it,” Soffer told TV Guide. “It was never out of the question to come back one day.” Even though viewers won’t see him as Jay on the streets of Budapest, there’s a lot to discover about Wes, who Soffer describes as unconventional, unaffected and playing by his own rules.

Before Soffer’s debut on FBI: InternationalThe actor opens up about why he took over the CBS procedural after Luke Kleintank’s exit, what the differences are between Jay and Wes, and why he’s okay with being associated with him forever P.D Character.

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TV Guide: Did you ever imagine you’d star in another Dick Wolf series?
Jesse Lee Soffer: It was never out of the question, even when I left P.D. It wasn’t out of the question to come back one day. I love this character and it will always be in my bones, and I was truly grateful to Dick, Peter Jankowski, Anastasia Puglisi and everyone at Wolf for the opportunity to direct P.D And then I thought, I kind of want to go back and start acting again. So it wasn’t a big surprise. The surprise was that it was in Budapest.

What made you say “yes”? FBI: International and decide that this was the show you wanted to come back for?
Offer: It’s a really fun show. It’s really cinematic. I played a cop for so long (P.D), and Wes is another cop, but he has less baggage than Halstead. It just seemed like a great fit. (Showrunner) Matt (Olmstead) called me after I got the offer and we talked about it. I can bring the veteran vibe of a guy who knows what he’s doing and does things his own way. And I can bring that energy to this team, and this was a great opportunity.

It was found that the A Chicago And FBI Franchises exist in the same universe according to Tracy Spiridakos’ P.D Character appeared in one FBI Episode in 2020. You play a completely new character here. Was there ever any discussion – even a fleeting one – about whether you would play Halstead again?
Offer: Can I talk about it? (Breaks) We joked about it. And Hailey Upton’s character did a crossover FBIso her character hypothetically exists in this universe. But the other joke is that if she ever showed up International, Wes would say, “Do I know you?”

How important was it for you to familiarize yourself with it? FBI: International before you enter the set?
Offer: I have seen many episodes. I think I’ve seen almost the entire show.

READ ALSO: Everything we know FBI: International Season 4

How do you describe Wes? How would you like to introduce your character to the audience?
Offer: Wes is a former cop who was an FBI agent and Vos was a training officer, so they have an interesting dynamic. He was hard on her, and things come full circle because now she’s grateful for that guardianship and she’s the one to bring him in. He does things his own way. He doesn’t always follow the rules, which gets him into trouble, but his attitude is that there are no problems that can’t be worked around. He will always do his work unconventionally. I love his carefree attitude and his easy-going, “let’s just get on with it and get the job done” attitude. I’m used to pondering a lot and carrying a lot of baggage, so it’s a breath of fresh air.

You alluded to this, but how does Wes compare to Halstead in terms of his demeanor, personality and approach to work?
Offer: You could hold a gun the same way. But I think their attitudes are really different. I think Halstead was more aggressive, more brooding, had darker thoughts and Wes is more laid back and has a little more fun.

What kind of leader is Wes since he finally leads the Fly Team?
Offer: He leads by example. He does his thing and will do his job. Maybe you like it, maybe you don’t like it. But that’s how it’s going to go.

How would you describe the team dynamic?
Offer: There is concern, there is uncertainty. Smitty says, “Oh God, he’s going to get us into so much trouble.” There are a lot of different dynamics to play out. And the Vo dynamic, because there’s a backstory and a history there. This results in an interesting partnership.

That leads me to my next question. Because he was Vo’s training officer, is this a relationship or partnership that people should keep an eye on as it develops?
Offer: Yes, it’s definitely something to keep an eye on. She keeps him in check. But because he acts by his own rules, sometimes she has to talk some sense into him and he lets her. He respects her. He respects the agent she is now, and if she tells him he’s out of line, he’ll say, “Okay, I’m out of line.” Got it.” It’s kind of like a big brother and a little sister (dynamic).

Are there any other interesting dynamics developing early in the season?
Offer: A budding friendship develops with Raines. There is constant frustration with Smitty trying to hold him back. Wes is a bull in a china shop and she says, “Put this guy on a leash.” But I think she likes him and respects him doing his job. There’s a funny episode where Tate goes undercover and he promotes her, not literally, but she gets to do field work.

How did you adjust to filming in Budapest?
Offer: We can film in places where I’m sitting (somewhere) having lunch or texting with a friend, and we’re in these beautiful surroundings. But the hard part is that I can’t find the right protein mix. I can’t find my badge and that’s the hardest part of the job.

Which locations have particularly caught your attention so far?
Offer: We were in Portugal. We’re going to Paris. There are rumors about various places in the UK that we could visit. It’s such a fun adventure. In two episodes you’re like, ‘Wait, where are we going to be?’ It’s really cool.

Another perk of this job, right?
Offer: And really good coffee. Really good coffee in Budapest. I live above a cafe so that’s a nice perk.

For people who watched you Chicago PD and switch on now FBI: Internationalthey could still connect you to Halsted. Are you okay with that?
Offer: This is something different. Of course, Halstead will always be in my blood and bones, and I’m sure for some people there will always be an association with that (character). But I hope the fans see this and (realize) that it’s a new attitude, a new energy, a new vibe, and that’s exactly what it is.

Finally, what would you like people to know about your launch?
Offer: I hope they’re excited. The only thing I want to say is: I want people to tune in. More attention, that’s what we want. The first few episodes are highly intense and full of action. It’s exciting and this new character, Wes, is carefree, restless and doesn’t follow the rules. He handles the procedure carelessly and remains unaffected in this regard. A tragedy occurs and he moves forward even more carelessly. It will be a real treat for the fans.

FBI: International Premieres Tuesday at 9/8c on CBS and streams on-demand the next day on Paramount+.