Fans of Chicago P.D. were hooked on the undeniable chemistry between Detective Jay Halstead and Detective Erin Lindsay. But what many didn’t realize was that the sparks weren’t just scripted — Jesse Lee Soffer and Sophia Bush were, in fact, romantically involved off-screen as well. And their real-life relationship may have been more intense — and more complicated — than anything NBC ever aired.
The two stars started dating quietly in 2014 after working closely on set. Their characters’ love story was already making waves with fans, and their off-screen connection seemed like a dream come true. But while the show pushed forward with romantic tension, behind the scenes things were far less perfect.
According to insiders on the Chicago P.D. set, the relationship between Soffer and Bush was professional during work hours — but intense and unpredictable when the cameras stopped rolling. “There was definitely love there,” a former crew member admitted. “But also pressure. The kind of pressure you get when your personal and professional lives are completely entwined.”
While the show benefitted from their real chemistry, things took a turn when Sophia Bush announced she was leaving the series in 2017. At the time, many fans were shocked — especially since Lindsay and Halstead were still a central couple on the show. NBC remained vague about the reasons, but Bush later opened up about an allegedly toxic environment on set that contributed to her departure.
Although she never publicly named names, speculation swirled that her relationship with Soffer — whether because it had ended or become strained — was part of the emotional burden. Still, in interviews, Soffer remained respectful. “Sophia’s such a great actress, and we worked really well together,” he told a magazine after her exit.
Following her departure, Soffer remained on the show for several more seasons, and Halstead’s character slowly moved on. But the absence of Lindsay left a mark — both for viewers and perhaps for Jesse himself. Fans often wondered if Halstead’s more guarded demeanor in later seasons reflected Soffer’s own emotional shift after Bush’s exit.
In a shocking twist, Jesse Lee Soffer eventually left Chicago P.D. too — and didn’t just leave as an actor. He returned in a different role, working as a director for the series, showing a level of maturity and professionalism even after personal hardships.
To this day, fans continue to speculate about the relationship that unfolded behind the scenes, one that may have defined a major era of the show. For some, it’s a heartbreaking “what-if” — a love story that felt real because, for a time, it actually was.
