As a gamer with over two decades of TV watching under my belt, I’ve seen enough shows to fill a small library. But none have quite caught my attention like FBI: International. The show has been a staple in my weekly viewing routine for three seasons now, and I must say, the fourth one looks promising, especially with Jesse Lee Soffer joining the cast.
In the 2024 TV lineup, CBS will once again air FBI: International, marking the beginning of a new era for the Fly Team as they embark on their fourth season without Scott Forrester at the helm following Luke Kleintank’s exit. To fill this void, the drama has recruited Jesse Lee Soffer, previously known from Chicago P.D., to lead the team as Supervisory Special Agent Wes Mitchell. In an interview with TopMob, Soffer discusses his transition into a hit series that’s already completed three seasons after a decade spent in One Chicago and beyond.
Stepping onto the gaming world as Wes Mitchell in Season 4’s premiere titled “A Leader, Not a Tourist,” I find myself chasing a case from LA to Budapest, following my partner getting shot on duty. With the pulse-pounding action this show is known for, I can only expect things to heat up even more. When I sat down with the actor, fresh off his ten-season stint on Chicago P.D. that wrapped up late in 2022, he revealed his approach to take over the lead role of an ongoing series:
Just as you would prepare for any performance, I assume the approach is similar here. You delve into understanding the character, converse with the writers, collaborate with showrunner Matt Olmstead, grasp who this individual is, what drives him. Since it’s a new character stepping in, particularly in a leadership role, we ponder about the fresh dynamics, the unique perspective he brings. And Wes is quite the engaging character. He’s spontaneous and often strays from conventional methods. He challenges the status quo and dislikes bureaucracy, which makes for an exciting narrative and entertaining episodes.
Working with Matt Olmstead felt like a reunion for Jesse Lee Soffer since Olmstead served as co-creator and showrunner on “Chicago P.D.” for the first four seasons. Reuniting behind the scenes is one thing, but starring in an ongoing series requires more preparation. So, did he go back and watch earlier episodes of “International”? I asked, and he indeed confirmed that he did revisit some previous episodes to prepare.
I indeed did watch quite a bit! I caught most of Season 1 and Season 3 to gain a grasp on the series, its characters, and the plotline. Now, I wonder what I’ve stepped into? What can you tell me about Budapest? The usual details would be appreciated.
People who follow TV shows might be well-versed in marathon viewing of “FBI: International”, particularly those with a Paramount+ subscription. Pondering about the nature of the commitment was indeed significant, given that he had been portraying the same character for almost a decade across “Chicago Fire” and “Chicago P.D.”. It’s worth noting that “FBI: International” marks his first acting role since departing from “P.D.” (He has directed two episodes of his previous show during the last couple of years.).
In response to queries from Chicago P.D. fans who are undecided about FBI: International, Soffer offers a fresh perspective. It’s evident that Wes Mitchell will embody a unique character for him, despite his reentry into the Dick Wolf TV universe. Moreover, Wes is not expected to be a carbon copy of Scott Forrester. Upon being asked about the similarities between the two characters after watching earlier seasons, Soffer shared his thoughts.
In my mind, I hadn’t given much thought to comparing the two of them. Wes marches to his own rhythm, making his own decisions. When you encounter him, his partner has been wounded, making him a man with a mission. He’s burning with determination. Then he faces a significant life decision: whether to return home amidst grief and loss or push forward, face the challenges, and focus on his work.
Given that Jesse Lee Soffer has been cast as a series regular in “FBI: International,” rather than just a recurring guest star like Colin Donnell was on “Chicago Med” previously, it seems likely that he will continue to work closely with the Fly Team for the duration of the series. The actor further explained this by stating:
As a gamer, I’m all about immersion. I live for the thrill of each level, the satisfaction of mastering a challenge, and the excitement of exploring new worlds. Just like how Wes brings his A-game to the show, he’s totally in it, savoring every moment and making it shine with energy.
It’s intriguing to watch how the energy of character Wes meshes, or doesn’t mesh, with the rest of the Fly Team as Season 4 unfolds. In Season 3, Vo took on a more leadership role with Forrester’s support; now, an outsider is entering the scene. Previously, there have been cast changes in International, but never before has the head character been replaced. For now, take a look at this sneak peek featuring Jesse Lee Soffer as SSA Wes Mitchell:
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On Tuesday, October 15th, at 9 p.m. Eastern Time, the premiere of Season 4 of FBI: International will be broadcast. This falls between the Season 7 premieres of FBI and FBI: Most Wanted, airing at 8 p.m. ET and 10 p.m. ET respectively, all on CBS. If you’d like to catch up on how the third season ended to understand a significant shift for the Fly Team, you can stream those episodes on Paramount+.
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2024-10-15 00:37