Jesse Lee Soffer Directs Atwater’s Final Chicago P.D. Episode – All the Details!
Jesse Lee Soffer, the actor who brought Jay Halstead to life for a decade, is stepping back into the Chicago P.D. universe, but this time he’s calling the shots from behind the camera. After his run as one of the Intelligence Unit’s finest, Soffer has been busy expanding his career, and now he’s returning to direct an episode in Season 14. This marks his fourth time directing the show, following previous efforts like ‘Deadlocked’ in Season 10, ‘Inventory’ in Season 11, and ‘Open Wounds’ in Season 13.
The episode he’s directing, titled ‘Don’t Blink,’ airs on Wednesday, October 14, and it’s a big one—it’s Kevin Atwater’s final episode. Showrunner Gwen Sigan shared that they wanted to give Atwater a sendoff that feels true to his character, something organic and positive. ‘Atwater gets a choice in this episode where both answers are wonderful,’ Sigan explained. ‘For a character who’s always giving to others, this moment is really special.’ She added that Soffer ‘directed it and killed it,’ making it a nice, in-family affair.
Soffer’s connection to Chicago P.D. runs deep. As Halstead, he was a cornerstone of the show, working closely with Sgt. Hank Voight and becoming a fan favorite. Even after Halstead left for an Army assignment in Bolivia, he’s popped back for special moments, like the 2026 One Chicago crossover. Now, with Atwater’s departure, Soffer’s return feels perfectly timed, giving fans a heartfelt reason to tune in.
Catch new episodes of Chicago P.D. Season 14 every Wednesday at 10/9c on NBC, or stream them the next day on Peacock. Reporting by Stephanie Gomulka.
