The FBI universe experienced a massive shakeup at the end of the 2024-2025 TV season — but how was the flagship series affected?
CBS shocked fans in March after announcing that FBI spinoffs FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted were cancelled ahead of their respective season 4 and season 6 finales later that spring.
While FBI was renewed for another season, the season 7 finale in May left fans — and Us — with a litany of questions. For starters, would Special Agent Stuart Scola’s (John Boyd) newest partner, Dani Rhodes (Emily Alabi), make it another season after Scola lost back-to-back partners during the season?
The season finale also left viewers with a massive cliffhanger involving SAC Isobel Castille (Alana De La Garza). After a bomb went off at 26 Fed in New York City, Isobel was thought to be among those killed. While she was alive, once the team solved the case of which FBI agents were dirty — and allowed a terrorist group to infiltrate their ranks — Isobel’s injuries resurfaced.
Isobel was congratulating the team on their victory during the final moments of the episode when she began stuttering before ultimately fainting. To everyone’s horror, Special Agent Maggie Bell (Missy Peregrym) revealed, “She doesn’t have a pulse.”
The stressful conclusion left fans wondering if Isobel would survive or if she would be written off the show ahead of season 8.
Scroll down for a breakdown of which FBI stars are — and aren’t — returning for season 8 so far:
Missy Peregrym
Peregrym’s Maggie nearly died multiple times during the court of season 7, but came out unscathed during the season finale. While the actress hasn’t confirmed her return for season 8 — nor said she won’t be back — she has been a main character since season 1 and remains a vital part of the cast.
Zeeko Zaki
Zaki has played Special Agent Omar Adom “OA” Zidan since season 1 and like his onscreen partner, Maggie, safely made it through the season 7 finale. Zaki hasn’t confirmed his return for next season, but his love of the show and the role is evident.
“It’s super fun,” Zaki exclusively told Us Weekly in March of playing an FBI agent. “My favorite part of the job is the stunt days.”
Alana De La Garza
De La Garza’s Isobel passed out unconscious during the final minutes of the season 7 finale, worrying fans about her fate on the show.
“Literally you have to tune in to see. I mean it is a legit cliffhanger,” the actress told TV Insider in May, when asked whether Isobel will die. De La Garza played coy about whether she’ll be back, adding, “But it’s very exciting. And very fun to play, unlike anything I’ve played before.”
Jeremy Sisto
Sisto has portrayed ASAC Jubal Valentine since the first season of FBI and plans to return for season 8.
“I hope she’s alive. My first hope,” Sisto told TV Insider in May, while pointing to De La Garza’s character’s cliffhanger. “Every year, I don’t come from a place of hope. I hope one or more of the writers brings a story line that’s kinda personal for them and it falls in Jubal’s life.”
John Boyd
While Boyd’s return as Scola has not been officially announced, he is expected to reprise his role. However, Scola will have a new partner once again when season 8 begins, according to Deadline.
Emily Alabi
Alabi made her FBI debut in April, playing Special Agent Dani Rhodes and Scola’s most recent partner. The actress joined the fold after Scola’s longtime partner Tiffany “Tiff” Wallace (Katherine Renee Kane) exited the series to start season 7. Scola was briefly partnered with Sydney Ortiz (Lisette Olivera) before her departure during season 7, episode 8.
While fans thought Dani might be the right fit for Scola, TVLine reported in July that the character will only be returning for one episode during season 8 to wrap up her story line.
Juliana Aidén Martinez
Deadline reported on July 15 that Martinez will be replacing Alabi’s Dani as the newest agent at 26 Fed for season 8. Martinez most recently played Detective Kate Silva on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, but was not asked to return for season 27.
Martinez will not be reprising her role as Detective Silva on FBI, instead she will play a new character despite being in the same Dick Wolf universe, according to the outlet.
Shantel VanSanten
VanSanten got her start on FBI as Special Agent Nina Chase during season 4 in 2022. During her time on the flagship series, Nina sparked a romance with Scola and the pair eventually welcomed a son named Dougie. VanSanten made the jump from FBI to FBI: Most Wanted full time during season 5, playing the same character.
Since FBI: Most Wanted ended after season 6 in May, fans are hopeful that Nina will return to FBI — either as a series regular or guest star to continue her relationship with Scola.
Zaki previously told Us in March that it would be “natural” for Nina and Scola to eventually get married. “I have no idea if we’re gonna see that this season or not,” he said, hinting that Nina and Scola’s story line would continue.
FBI season 8 will premiere on CBS Monday, October 13, at 9 p.m. ET.
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