Celebrity Extra: Jesse Lee Soffer
By Dana Jackson
Q: I saw a commercial for “FBI: International,” and it looks like Jesse Lee Soffer is on there now. I was hoping he would return to “Chicago P.D.” Is there any chance of this now? -- D.D.
A: Yes, it's true. Jesse Lee Soffer has joined the cast of "FBI: International" in time for the show's fourth season. He played Detective Jay Halstead for 10 seasons on another Dick-Wolf-produced series, "Chicago P.D.," before choosing to exit. The door has been left open for his character to return, but the chance of this seems less likely now. He did tell Variety that "Halstead's always going to be in my blood," but I'm sure that after a decade, he was ready for a change, even if it's on another crime procedural show.
Jesse Lee Soffer ("FBI: International"). Photo Credit: Courtesy of CBS
Soffer takes the place of departing cast member Luke Kleintank, who left "International" after three years. Also new this season is actor Jay Hayden as Agent Tyler Booth. If he looks familiar, that's because he starred in the long-running ABC series "Station 19."
All three "FBI" shows will premiere their new seasons on Tuesday, Oct. 15, with "FBI" at 8 p.m. ET, "FBI: Most Wanted" at 9 p.m. ET, and "FBI: International" at 10 p.m ET. You can also stream them on Paramount+ the next day.
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Q: Wasn't there a spin-off series for "When Calls the Heart," or was it just a one-time miniseries? Will there be any more of it? -- D.I.
A: Yes, there was and still is a spin-off series of "When Calls the Heart," titled "When Hope Calls." The last episode was almost three years ago, so it's not surprising that the show's fans have been left wondering if it was all just a figment of their imaginations.
Fortunately, "When Hope Calls" will begin filming again soon, aiming for a premiere date on January 2025 on the Great American Family channel. "The cast is getting something of an overhaul, with three new additions," according to TVLine. Set in the early 1900s at an orphanage, the show initially focused on two sisters, who were played by Morgan Kohan ("Sullivan's Crossing") and Jocelyn Hudon ("Chicago Fire").
Hudon is reportedly not part of the cast for season two, but joining Kohan are three new additions to the show: Cindy Busby ("Cedar Cove"), Christopher Russell ("UnREAL"), and Nick Bateman ("A Christmas Miracle for Daisy").
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Q: Is it true that Zendaya is thinking about retiring from acting? Also, is Zendaya her real name, and what is her last name? -- M.M.
A: Born Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman, the young actress simply goes by her first name now. As for her returning from show business, that rumor started after a post-"Dune" screening Q&A session, when she said she wasn't sure she can "handle all of that" -- meaning the pressures that come with fame. She explained that she loves acting and being on set, but at heart, she is an introvert and would like to be seen as a "person" instead of a celebrity. She has no plans to retire, however.
Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com, or write me at KFWS, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.
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