Jesse Lee Sofferhas returned home toNBCsChicago P.D.but not as Jay Halstead.
Instead, hes making his debut as a director in tonights episode Deadlocked.
News followed weeks later that he would reunite with the cast and crew in the directors chair.
Jesse Lee SofferLori Allen/NBC
So to get to do that kind of story with Jason was really fun.
Watch on Deadline
It was like I never left, he said.
We have one of probablythehardest working crew and cast in TVI feel confident saying that.
Jesse Lee Soffer on set of NBC’s Chicago P.D. alongside LaRoyce Hawkins and Jason BegheLori Allen/NBC
It was great to be with everybody.
There are a couple of screens where I thought about doing that.
Like, what if I just walked through the background with my back to the camera?
Would someone know it was me?
So, I am sort of there.
Theyre all very different in how they direct, he said of the trio.
Bethany said something so smart which is, 20 different directors, 20 different ways to shoot a scene.
So, theres no wrong answer, he continued.
Its more about whats your taste and how you perceive something; whats your point of view?
Im going to make the episode how I think it should be and I got to do that.
Learning this new skill set has not convinced Soffer to reconsider his acting career.
In fact,directinghas given him a different point of view from which to continue growing.
No, its not a career shift because I love acting.
Acting is definitely my passion, he said emphatically.
Tracy [Spiridakos] started doing that, and everybody else there, too.
And I was thinking I can do this; Id like to try.
And that just grew until I finally felt like I was ready.
Im grateful to Dick Wolf and everybody there for giving me this opportunity, Soffer added.
Its worth noting, hes also heard those rumblings about the rumored Burzek reunion.
You know, I love Halstead and hes definitely a part of me.
I had so much fun playing him, too, so never say never, he concluded coyly.
