SPOILER ALERT: The following reveals major spoilers fromNBCsChicago Meds Season 8 finale.
NBCsChicago Medis saying goodbye to another original cast member, it was revealed tonight in the Season 8 finale.
Similarly, our mystery original cast member also exited tonight.
George Burns Jr/NBC
One Chicago will now officially be Halstead-less.
Jesse Lee Soffer played Detective Jay Halstead on Chicago P.D.
for 10 seasons beforeannouncing he was leaving the series.
Chicago Med (Photo by: George Burns Jr/NBC)
DEADLINE: Nick, say it aint so!
NICK GEHLFUSS:It is.
We have done 163 episodes ofChicago Medtoday.
And I have done 21Chicago Fireepisodes and 18P.D.episodes, which makes a grand total of 202 One Chicago episodes.
This is wild; its an emotional transition.
Up until that point, I had done 6 episodes at most for one gig.
I was still building dining rooms, tables and furniture that I was delivering around Los Angeles.
It was just a huge moment, this show changed my life.
DEADLINE: What was behind your decision to leave now?
A few months ago, I made that decision.
People have been saying, Youre off to bigger and better things.
Im not saying that; thats not the goal.
DEADLINE: Did you and Jesse speak early on about your departures?
We have no more Halsteads on One Chicago.
GEHLFUSS:No, I had not talked to Jesse about this before.
These decisions were completely independent of one another.
There was no planning of this happening in the way it did.
GEHLFUSS:It makes so much sense.
Im glad that you had that instinct because I did as well.
I didnt have any.
It was really so great to see Torrey, too.
She called me to let me know she was coming.
But you know, you never know how things can play out.
We fell right back into our work rhythm as if we hadnt had any time off.
DEADLINE: What can you share about shooting that final moment?
GEHLFUSS:Part of what Will always had to decide was if he wanted to be a stepdad.
The actor named Ari Morgan who plays Owen has grown up on the show, literally.
Hes got a personality and everything.
But if it wasnt hard, then it wouldnt have meant anything to me.
So I will always take that as opposed to the other.
These people are family.
My real family was jealous that they get to see me more than them.
[Laughs]
DEADLINE: Most actors who leave One Chicago often find their way back.
What are your feelings about maybe reappearing or even directing in the future?
GEHLFUSS:Weve actually talked about that and that was part of the decision in how we exited Will.
So Im glad that they preserve that possibility.
They said outright, You know, wed be happy to have you come back whenever you want.
And its really touching.
DEADLINE: Any parting words for fans?
GEHLFUSS:Yes, Im not on social media or anything so Id like to speak directly to them.
Look, its no secret that without you we wouldnt have jobs.
One of the most important things we can give to one another is our time.
Thank you all for your time and your support.
That is the best confirmation of the contract between the audience and the storyteller.
While Will Halstead is leaving, One Chicago is not.
Enjoy the seasons to come.
