As a long-time aficionado of television, I find myself thoroughly captivated by CBS’ Tuesday night lineup, particularly the trio of FBI shows and the thrilling cliffhanger that concluded FBI: International’s 2024 season. The suspense surrounding the fate of Vo after being shot is palpable, but the budding camaraderie between newcomer Agent Tyler Booth (Jay Hayden) and the established character Wes seems poised to take center stage in the upcoming episodes.
What intrigues me most about this dynamic duo is not just their on-screen chemistry, but the fact that their friendship predates their acting careers by a significant margin. As I delved deeper into the background of these two talented actors, I was amazed to discover that they’ve known each other for an astounding 16 years or more!
When I asked Jay Hayden about working with his close friend Jesse Lee Soffer, he reminisced about their early days in acting class, dreaming of making it big in the industry. Their bond grew stronger as they faced financial struggles together, promising to support each other through every audition until they finally landed their respective TV roles.
Their story somewhat reminds me of a group of young men who lived together before becoming famous movie stars – although I must admit, I can’t quite place the names! Regardless, it’s fascinating to see how two actors who once ran each other’s auditions have now joined forces on yet another successful series.
I eagerly await the return of FBI: International in 2025 to witness the fallout between Wes and Tyler following that suspenseful cliffhanger. Until then, I’ll be humming the tune of “When Will I Be Famous?” by Brosnan, O’Neal & Kelly (a deep cut from their short-lived series, Mob Doctor).
Joke: You know you’ve made it in the acting world when you can run your auditions with Jay Hayden and still have time left over for Eddie Redmayne!
On Tuesday evenings, CBS has a strong lineup with the trio of FBI shows, and FBI: International concluded its 2024 TV schedule with an exhilarating cliffhanger. The pressing question following the fall finale revolves around Vo’s survival as she was shot, potentially carrying over into the 2025 TV schedule. However, it appears that Wes and Tyler are preparing to seek revenge for her, which doesn’t seem promising for their fate in the upcoming year. Although we can only guess at their actions after the cliffhanger, the arrival of new cast member Jay Hayden sheds light on his long-standing real-life friendship with Jesse Lee Soffer, dating back many years.
As a movie enthusiast, I couldn’t hide my excitement when it came to light that Hayden and Soffer were more than just co-stars on FBI: International. In fact, our friendship had been flourishing long before either of us donned the roles of Agent Tyler Booth and Wes. This bond was further strengthened after wrapping up Station 19 on ABC. Back in October, during an interview with TopMob, I gave a sneak peek into the complex relationship between Tyler and Wes, hinting at some unresolved issues. What made this experience even more special was getting to collaborate with my true-blue friend on set.
It’s yet uncertain how tightly bonded Wes and Tyler will be during the winter premiere and beyond, but in a conversation I had with Jay Hayden about his entry into the CBS’ FBI universe, I found that their friendship with Jesse Lee Soffer dates back much longer than I realized. When I asked him what it was like to collaborate with someone who was a friend prior to becoming a co-star, Hayden stated:
As a longtime movie enthusiast, it’s safe to say my buddy and I have shared plenty of laughs over the past decade and a half or so. When we wrapped our first scene together, I couldn’t help but remark, “I think that might be the most eye contact we’ve ever had in all these years since we first met.” He chuckled and responded, “Definitely not my favorite moment.” To which I quipped, “Not mine either, but it’s something special, don’t you think? After all, how many people get to experience that kind of intimacy?
In the realm of television drama, few moments are as timeless as characters locking gazes, and Jay Hayden and Jesse Lee Soffer certainly delivered their share of those moments during their tenures on Station 19 and Chicago P.D. respectively. Yet, who would have thought that they’d find themselves captivated by each other’s stares so soon after joining forces on FBI: International? After sharing a hearty chuckle about that encounter, Hayden remarked:
“I never expected our paths to cross in such an intriguing way on FBI: International. It was as if time stood still whenever Jesse and I locked eyes.
As a seasoned movie critic with decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that collaborating with a dear friend on a film project is an unparalleled experience. Working alongside such a gifted actor brings immense joy and satisfaction to my creative process. His dedication to the story and commitment to preserving the integrity of the production are truly commendable.
Acting together, we shared laughter, camaraderie, and moments of pure fun on set. Yet, when it was time to get serious, we delved deep into our respective roles, crafting scenes that resonated with audiences. This collaborative journey has been a source of immense joy and pleasure for me. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to have worked with my friend, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
It’s no surprise that Hayden and Soffer shared some amusing moments off-camera following the freshman Fly Team member’s anecdote about his unexpectedly humorous scene with Wes in his debut episode. Their golf scene apparently transformed into quite the celebration.
It took me by surprise to learn from Hayden that they’ve been acquainted for almost twenty years. I thought they had only become friends more recently, given their success on TV shows like Station 19 and Chicago P.D. However, when I mentioned that their friendship predates these shows, he reminded me of the early days before Station 19 and Chicago P.D.
Back in the day, my friend and I were just aspiring actors, sitting in our acting class, dreaming about breaking through in this city. We were barely scraping by, yet we vowed, ‘One day, we’ll make it here.’
Recalling those struggling days, we realized that we couldn’t afford professional audition coaching from the acting school for every audition. So, we made a promise to each other – we would support each other through every audition, no matter what, until we both succeeded. And true to our word, we ran every single audition together.
I remember running his Mob Doctor audition with him – a show that was quite obscure at the time. But you know what they say, every deep cut counts!
It didn’t exactly cross my mind that the practice sessions of future TV stars Jesse Lee Soffer and Jay Hayden, doing auditions together, mirrors the shared living quarters of Robert Pattinson, Eddie Redmayne, Andrew Garfield, Charlie Cox, and Jamie Dornan before they all became movie stars. However, the comparison did pop into my head! You might say that Hayden and Soffer were unaware 15 years ago that they would both star in their own network TV hits, let alone team up for another successful series.
Indeed, it’s worth noting that Jesse Lee Soffer played a significant role in the less mainstream show, “Mob Doctor,” which aired from 2012 to 2013. Given its brief run, it’s plausible that had this Fox drama achieved more success, Soffer might not have become a permanent cast member of One Chicago. Interestingly, “Chicago P.D.” debuted in early 2014, following some initial appearances by Soffer on “Chicago Fire.
Regarding the duration of Wes and Tyler on FBI: International, Hayden hinted following his debut episode that we can anticipate seeing him in multiple episodes, possibly even returning for more. Photos he shared to build excitement around his arrival capture some of their genuine friendship, as you can see in the series of images below.
A post shared by Jay Hayden (@jayhayden00)
A photo posted by on
Regardless of the outcome, we’ll discover the consequences of Wes and Tyler’s decision, following the suspenseful finale cliffhanger of FBI: International, when it returns on Tuesday, January 27, 2025 at 9 p.m. ET on CBS. If you need a reminder about how the series ended in 2024, you can watch the episode with a Paramount+ subscription. As usual, FBI: International will be aired between FBI, which lost a key cast member in 2024 at 8 p.m. ET and Most Wanted at 10 p.m. ET on CBS.
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2025-01-01 01:09