FBI: Chicago PD Casting of International Creates One Glaring Issue
FBI: Although international is welcoming a Chicago P.d. alum to its ranks, it presents a clear issue for the team. FBI: Earlier this year, international season 4 was confirmed; it will act as a reset for the third entry into the Fbi Universe. Following the exits of Heida Reed's and Luke Kleintank, the show had been attempting creative recovery. This resulted in the show straying water and questions on future Fly Team leadership.
Fortunately, following weeks of uncertainty resulting from Forrester's departure during Fbi: International season 3 will provide an answer on who will lead the dynamic squad. Including a Chicago P.d. star may have been a fantastic approach to bring the FBI and One Chicago franchises together. One artistic decision, sadly, caused a major problem for the production.
Jesse Lee Soffer is playing a new character on FBI: International Season 4.
Though his portraying a new character goes against a past FBI-One Chicago crossover, Jesse Lee Soffer's casting would have been the ideal chance to bring Jay Halstead to FBI: International. Tracy Spiridakos brought her Chicago P.D. figure to FBI in 2020, with Hailey Upton apparently serving to bind the two worlds together. Moving Soffer to FBI: International would theoretically mean he could re-star Halstead, providing the show with a fantastic marketing tool and a means to generate interest following a run of casting problems.
Given the character's past with Halstead, it might also have allowed Spiridakos to return as Upton for an episode or two. Given Chicago P.D. as an NBC show and FBI: International airing on CBS, the choice to veer in another way with Soffer could be motivated by some red tape. Having spent ten years playing Halstead, Soffer might have had some influence in the choice. Actors sometimes want to change things up. Soffer's new role raises issues regarding what it implies for next crossovers.
Exists hope for more one Chicago-FBI cross-overs?
As of now, FBI and Chicago P.D. have only once crossed over. Though that could be explained by the Law & Order series also running on NBC, the One Chicago brand has crossed over with the Law & Order world several times. Right now, crossovers across series on rival networks are not a top concern. Although that makes sense, it's unfortunate as Upton's one original FBI episode effectively told a self-contained story.
Halstead might not have the experience to run the Fly Team, but FBI: International season 4 might have clarified that away with a time jump. Though portraying a different character, it will be intriguing to watch how Jesse Lee Soffer breaks free from the Halstead role and what he offers to the program. With FBI: International requires some much-needed stability, hopefully he will bring some.
FBI Crossovers and One Chicago's Future
The choice to bring former Chicago P.D. actor Jesse Lee Soffer to FBI: International with him portraying a new character has presented a serious conundrum for the future of both franchises. The program might have employed Soffer to close the distance between FBI and One Chicago, but it seems like crossovers between the two networks might be on hold right now.
Future crossovers could still occur, but the casting choice is lost chance to confirm the connectivity of the Dick Wolf universe. The return of their beloved characters and the possibility for interesting crossovers much awaited by the fans of both One Chicago and FBI. The creative teams might, however, be considering other options, maybe looking at fresh directions for cooperation or emphasizing personal narratives inside their own worlds.
FBI: International: The Global Fly Team Adventures
Spun off from Dick Wolf's FBI franchise, FBI: International is a procedural crime drama series featuring a cadre of Special Agents assigned to handle worldwide concerns against America. Under Scott Forrester's direction, the FBI's international team collaboratively fights terrorism plans in concert with Interpol and other government operations teams.
FBI: Fall 2024's return of International Season 4 to CBS marks As the Fly Team negotiates difficult geopolitical terrain and confronts lethal enemies, the show keeps highlighting their tenacity and will. FBI: International transports viewers into the realm of international espionage and the commitment of individuals who defend American interests around the world by providing an exciting fusion of action, intrigue, and drama.
