‘As the World Turns’ Alum Jesse Lee Soffer Joins NBC’s ‘Chicago PD’

Former soap star Jesse Lee Soffer (ex-Will, ATWT) has been cast in NBC’s midseason Chicago-based police drama, Chicago PD.

Soffer will play a young police detective who grew up on the wrong side of the tracks. According to Deadline, the plan is to introduce his character on NBC’s firefighter drama Chicago Fire, then transition him to the Chicago PD spinoff. It’s a smart move that allows viewers to get to know his character before the series’ premiere in 2014.

The 29 year-old actor is known for his roles on daytime television. In 1999, he originated the role of Max Nickerson on the CBS daytime soap, Guiding Light. From 2004-2008, he portrayed the role of Will Munson on another CBS soap, As the World Turns, earning three Daytime Emmy nominations.

He would go on to star on the failed Fox drama Mob Doctor. Earlier this year, Soffer signed on to play the leading role of Patrick McCoy in the Charlize Theron produced Hatfields & McCoys pilot for NBC, which wasn’t ordered to series at the upfronts.

Jesse Lee Soffer is repped by Innovative Artists