FBI: International is welcoming a Chicago P.D. alum to its ranks, but it creates a glaring problem for the franchise. FBI: International season 4 was confirmed earlier this year, and will serve as a reset for the third entry in the FBI universe. The series had been trying to bounce back creatively after Heida Reed’s and Luke Kleintank’s departures. This led to the show treading water and questions about who would lead the Fly Team in the future.
Thankfully, there will be an answer about who will take the reins of the dynamic team after weeks of uncertainty due to Forrester’s exit during FBI: International season 3. Adding a Chicago P.D. star could have been a great way to unify the FBI and One Chicago franchises. Unfortunately, one creative choice created a big issue for the show.
The FBI universe has a bad track record of writing beloved characters out without satisfying final arcs, including Jess LaCroix and Jamie Kellett.
Jesse Lee Soffer Is Playing A New Character On FBI: International Season 4
The Decision Creates A Big Continuity Issue
Jesse Lee Soffer’s casting would have been the perfect opportunity to bring Jay Halstead to FBI: International, but his playing a new character goes against a previous FBI-One Chicago crossover. In 2020, Tracy Spiridakos took her Chicago P.D. character to FBI, with Hailey Upton seemingly being used to tether the two universes together. Moving Soffer to FBI: International would theoretically mean he could play Halstead again, giving the show a valuable marketing opportunity and a great way to increase interest following a string of casting woes.
It could also have opened the door for Spiridakos to return as Upton for an episode or two because of the character’s past with Halstead. The decision to take things in a different direction with Soffer could be due to some red tape, seeing as Chicago P.D. being an NBC show and FBI: International airing on CBS. Soffer possibly played a part in the decision after spending a decade playing Halstead. Sometimes, actors want to switch things up. As a result of Soffer’s new role, there are questions about what it means for future crossovers.
Is There Hope For More One Chicago-FBI Crossovers?
One Crossover Between FBI & One Chicago Has Aired
To date, there has been just one crossover between FBI and Chicago P.D. The One Chicago franchise has crossed over with the Law & Order universe many times, but that could be attributed to the Law & Order franchise also airing on NBC. Currently, crossovers between shows on competing networks are not a priority. While it makes sense, it’s a shame because Upton’s sole episode of the original FBI worked well to tell a self-contained tale.
Halstead may not have the experience to lead the Fly Team, but FBI: International season 4 could have explained that away with a time jump. Despite playing a new character, seeing how Jesse Lee Soffer breaks free of the Halstead role and what he brings to the show will be interesting. Hopefully, he will bring some much-needed consistency because FBI: International needs it.
FBI: International is set to return to CBS in the fall of 2024.
