Jesse Lee Soffer Explains His ‘Chicago P.D.’ Exit and Whether He’ll Ever Return: ‘Halstead’s Always Going to Be in My Blood’

Over the years, Channel 4 viewers have been entertained by Gogglebox stars Lee Riley and Jenny Newby. Thanks to their hilarious relationship, the best friends have become one of the show's best-loved couples over the years.

Two ships passing in the night! Jesse Spencer will return to Chicago Fire for a special episode amid Taylor Kinney’s temporary leave of absence.

A high-flying career! Chuck Norris is known for his work on the small and big screens, as well as his impressive martial arts talent.

Jesse Spencer will make a special comeback in the role of Matt Casey in an upcoming Chicago Fire episode.

An original star of Chicago Fire is returning to the show later this season!

Emily Longeretta Casey is back in Chicago, once again. Jesse Spencer, who left NBC’s “Chicago Fire” in 2021 after 200 episodes, will return for the 18th episode of Season 11, Variety confirms. Details about his storyline are still under wraps. Spencer portrayed Matt Casey on the Dick Wolf drama for the first nine seasons. He left during the the fifth episode of Season 10, as the character moved to Oregon with a three-year commitment to a new job. At the time, he shared that he was walking away from the show since he’d been doing television for 18 years and wanted to take a step back and spend more time with his family. (He previously starred in the Australian soap “Neighbours” and portrayed Dr. Robert Chase on Fox’s “House.”)

Paula Hendrickson Illinois is no stranger to the film industry. Essanay Studios, founded in Chicago in 1907, is where silent film stars including Wallace Beery, Gloria Swanson, and Charlie Chaplin made some of their earliest films. Although filmmakers soon flocked to Hollywood, with its robust advertising industry, Chicago became — and continues to be — a hot spot for making commercials. Today, TV productions are on the rise with shows including “The Chi,” “The Bear,” “South Side” and others joining Dick Wolf ’s “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago P.D.” and “Chicago Med.” Many Windy City-based series are shot in the nation’s second-largest soundstage, Cinespace Chicago.

Angelique Jackson Hot on the heels of a historic opening weekend for “Creed III,” Jonathan Majors has set his next movie with Amazon Studios, titled “Da Understudy.” Majors will star in and produce the film, under his Tall Street Productions banner, partnering with Westbrook Studios and Amazon. The project tells the story of “life imitating art when the understudy of a Broadway production finds a role he’s willing to kill for.” Tom Hamada, Zach Stauss and Tyler Cole wrote the screenplay, which is based on an original story by Cole and developed in-house by Westbrook. Amazon Studios landed the script on spec in a competitive situation. Sources tell Variety Spike Lee is in very early talks to direct the film, which would reunite the filmmaker and Majors after 2020’s “Da 5 Bloods.”

Taylor Kinney’s Kelly Severide is off getting some specialized arson training.

Emily Longeretta It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later. During Wednesday’s episode of “Chicago Fire,” Taylor Kinney’s Kelly Severide left town to go to “the best arson investigation training program in the world.” While he could have turned down the last-minute opening, the opportunity was too big to pass on. Kinney did not appear on the episode, as he had already left the set at the time of shooting. Instead, the news was delivered to Boden (Eamonn Walker) from the captain. While the chief is disappointed, he knows the training will be beneficial for the firehouse whenever Severide returns. Last month, Variety confirmed that Kinney was taking a leave of absence from the procedural to deal with a person matter.

We are so proud of Madison De La Garza for living her most full life!

Zack Sharf Digital News Director Nicolas Cage is making his Dracula debut in Universal Pictures’ upcoming horror comedy “Renfield,” and he’s already chomping at the bit to play the iconic bloodsucker in an expanded capacity. Cage’s Dracula in “Renfield” is a supporting role, as the film’s protagonist is the vampire’s long-suffering servant (played by Nicholas Hoult). The Oscar winner spoke to Total Film magazine about eyeing another Dracula project where he can better explore the psyche of the vampire. “You know, there are some minor moments here where you get to see some of the pathos in Dracula’s eyes,” Cage said. “That made me think that maybe one day I might like to try for a whole movie where you’re really understanding the psyche of the character. I didn’t really have the time to delve into that here.”

Following the announcement that he will be starring as Khashoggi in the musical We Will Rock You, actor Lee Mead appeared on Good Morning Britain, where he revealed the results of his recent hair transplant. The actor, 41, left fans shocked recently when he appeared on This Morning earlier this month, having shaved off his famous curly locks prior to undergoing the transplant. Appearing on today's GMB (February 28) Lee opened up about his transplant to hosts Susanna Reid and Ed Balls.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter The upcoming Shondaland Netflix series “The Residence” has added 11 new cast members, Variety has learned. The new cast members are: Andre Braugher, Edwina Findley, Molly Griggs, Jason Lee, Ken Marino, Al Mitchell, Dan Perrault, Bronson Pinchot, Susan Kelechi Watson, Isiah Whitlock Jr., and Mary Wiseman. The group joins previously announced series lead Uzo Aduba. The official logline for the series states, “132 rooms. 157 suspects. One dead body. One wildly eccentric detective (Aduba). One disastrous State Dinner. ‘The Residence’ is a screwball whodunnit set in the upstairs, downstairs, and backstairs of the White House, among the eclectic staff of the world’s most famous mansion.”

Jamie Lee Curtis is joking about the nepo baby debate!

Things are heating up between Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes!

Chase Stokes and Kelsea Ballerini‘s relationship is heating up!

Speaking his truth. Jesse Lee Soffer revealed why he left Chicago P.D. six months after he announced his departure in August 2022 — and teased if he’ll be back.

Still team Upstead? Jesse Lee Soffer revealed what he really thinks of how Chicago P.D. has handled his character Jay Halstead’s relationship with Hailey Upton (Tracy Spiridakos) since his 2022 exit.

Jesse Lee Soffer is addressing his Chicago P.D. exit.