Jesse Lee Soffer, long-time star of Chicago P.D., has rarely spoken publicly about other network procedurals — until now. In a candid interview, the actor didn’t hold back when comparing his own show to CBS’s hit series FBI, and the remarks are raising eyebrows across the industry.
According to Soffer, while FBI has its thrills and high-stakes investigations, it lacks the depth and authenticity that Chicago P.D. has built over more than a decade. “I’ve watched a few episodes,” he admitted, “and honestly… it feels a little surface-level. The stakes feel manufactured. You don’t feel the weight of the job the way you do on our show.”
Soffer went on to highlight the difference in character development. “On Chicago P.D., you live in these characters’ lives. You see their mistakes, their struggles, their consequences. You don’t just solve a case and move on. There’s real emotional impact. That’s what keeps people coming back.”
His comments have already sparked a wave of reactions online, with some fans applauding his honesty while others accuse him of being unnecessarily critical. “It’s refreshing to hear someone be real about TV,” one fan wrote. “Soffer’s loyalty to his craft and his show is obvious.” Another added, “Wow, didn’t need him to diss another series like that, but okay.”
Insiders close to the production suggest that Soffer’s remarks were not intended to bash FBI, but rather to emphasize why Chicago P.D. has remained compelling year after year. “He’s fiercely proud of the work he does,” one crew member explained. “He wants people to understand the difference between shows that just tell stories and shows that live and breathe them.”
Interestingly, Soffer didn’t limit his critique to FBI’s storytelling. He also touched on the pacing and tone, noting that network procedural formulas often prioritize action over nuance. “We try to show the cost of being a cop,” he said. “The long nights, the moral compromises, the human consequences. That’s not easy to capture, and a lot of shows don’t even try.”
Though his comments are pointed, Soffer concluded with a nod to the industry as a whole. “Every show has its audience, and that’s fine. But I know why I’ve stayed with Chicago P.D. for so long — it challenges me as an actor, and it respects the audience enough to do the same.”
While his remarks have generated buzz and some controversy, one thing is clear: Jesse Lee Soffer is unapologetically loyal to the world of Firehouse 51. And he isn’t afraid to call out what he sees as a lack of authenticity in other procedurals, even if it ruffles a few feathers along the way.
Fans of Chicago P.D. will likely cheer him on, while executives at competing shows may quietly take note — because loyalty, passion, and conviction are impossible to ignore when they come from someone who’s been at the center of one of television’s most enduring franchises.
