Jesse Lee Soffer is lining up a return to network crime drama, and this one comes with a familiar creative partner. CBS has handed a development room order to Strike Force, a working-title drama that would reunite Soffer with Matt Olmstead after their time on FBI: International.
The project comes from Jerry Bruckheimer Television and CBS Studios, two names with deep ties to procedural television. While Strike Force has not yet received a formal series order, a development room is a meaningful step: it gives writers space to build the concept, shape characters, and test whether the show has the kind of engine CBS wants for a full-season drama.
Jesse Lee Soffer Set for New CBS Crime Drama Strike Force
Soffer has become a recognizable name for viewers who follow police procedurals and federal crime dramas. His latest CBS move keeps him firmly in that lane, with Strike Force positioned as another potential entry in the network’s long-running tradition of action-heavy, team-driven storytelling.
For CBS, the appeal is obvious. Soffer brings a built-in audience from his years in the Chicago P.D. universe and his later role on FBI: International. Pairing him with Olmstead gives the project a creative shorthand, especially with both men already familiar with the pace, tone, and character demands of broadcast crime drama.
What Is Strike Force About?
Details on the plot are still being kept quiet, and CBS has not released a full synopsis. What is confirmed is that Strike Force is being developed as a crime drama, with Olmstead involved and Soffer attached to star.
The working title suggests a series centered on a specialized law enforcement unit, likely built around urgent cases, tactical operations, and a tight ensemble dynamic. That would fit comfortably within CBS’ wheelhouse, especially as the network continues to refresh its drama slate while leaning into formats that perform well with both live audiences and next-day streaming viewers.
Matt Olmstead and Jerry Bruckheimer Television Back the Project
Matt Olmstead is no stranger to high-pressure procedural storytelling. His credits across network television have often balanced franchise-friendly cases with character-driven arcs, which is exactly the mix CBS typically looks for in a new drama contender.
Jerry Bruckheimer Television is also a major reason Strike Force will draw industry attention. The company has been behind some of the most durable action and crime brands on television, and its involvement signals that CBS is treating the project as more than a casual pitch.
Is Strike Force Ordered to Series at CBS?
Not yet. The key phrase here is development room order. That means CBS is investing in the show’s creative development, but it does not guarantee that Strike Force will make it to air.
If the scripts, characters, and overall concept land well, CBS could move forward with a pilot or a straight-to-series decision later. For now, the project is part of the network’s developing 2027-28 TV slate, so viewers should not expect an immediate premiere date.
Where Can You Watch Strike Force?
Strike Force is not currently available to watch in the US, UK, or EU because it has not been ordered to series and has no release date. If CBS moves forward, the show would be expected to air on CBS in the US, with streaming availability likely through Paramount+. UK and EU distribution has not been announced.
For now, crime drama fans should keep an eye on CBS’ future development updates as Strike Force moves through the next stage of the network decision-making process.
Tags: #StrikeForce #JesseLeeSoffer #CBSDrama #MattOlmstead #ParamountPlus
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