Jesse Lee Soffer and Matt Olmstead Reunite for New CBS Crime Drama ‘Strike Force

Actor Jesse Lee Soffer and showrunner Matt Olmstead are reuniting for a new law enforcement project at CBS, moving forward with a development room order for the crime drama Strike Force. According to Variety, the network is building out its television slate for the 2027–2028 broadcast season by backing the prospective series, which hails from Jerry Bruckheimer Television and CBS Studios.

The project pairs Soffer and Olmstead following their respective runs on major broadcast franchises. Olmstead is writing and executive producing Strike Force, while Soffer will star in the lead role and serve as an executive producer. Jerry Bruckheimer and KristieAnne Reed are attached as executive producers via Jerry Bruckheimer TV, with production handled by CBS Studios.

According to the official logline reported by Variety, the series centers on a battle-tested DEA agent played by Soffer who returns home to Kansas City to lead a multi-agency strike force targeting violent criminals exploiting America’s heartland.

Building on a Shared Television History

The collaboration brings together two prominent figures from the “One Chicago” universe. Soffer is widely known for portraying Senior Detective Jay Halstead on NBC’s Chicago P.D., a role he played for 10 seasons before departing. Olmstead co-created Chicago P.D. alongside Dick Wolf and served as its showrunner for four seasons.

During his tenure in Chicago, Soffer also made crossover appearances across Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, and Law & Order: SVU. Following their departure from the Chicago franchise, Soffer and Olmstead re-teamed on CBS’s FBI: International during its fourth and final season, where Olmstead worked as a writer and executive producer and Soffer joined the cast.

Olmstead’s Extensive Crime Drama Background

Olmstead’s career includes substantial contributions to procedural and serialized television under Wolf Entertainment and other banners. Alongside his work on Chicago P.D., Chicago Med, and the short-lived Chicago Justice, Olmstead co-created Law & Order: Organized Crime, which starred Christopher Meloni.

His broader television resume features writing and production credits on acclaimed network dramas such as NYPD Blue, Prison Break, Breakout Kings, and Stumptown. He is represented by WME and Goodman Genow.

Soffer’s Career and Representation

In addition to his decade-long run on Chicago P.D. and his work on FBI: International, Soffer’s television credits include daytime drama As the World Turns and the historical miniseries Hatfields & McCoys. He is represented by UTA and Ethos Entertainment.

The development order for Strike Force arrives as CBS shapes its programming strategy for the 2027–2028 television cycle. The network previously issued a pilot order for the single-camera comedy Hilda! (In Lights), which follows a 70-year-old relocating to New York to pursue aspirations of performing on Broadway.