FBI (TV Series): Cast, Maggie Exit, Season 9 Renewal

If you’ve been watching FBI since it premiered on CBS in 2018, you already know its lead Missy Peregrym keeps leaving—and coming back. That rhythm returns as the series enters its ninth season.

Network: CBS ·
Premiere Date: September 25, 2018 ·
Creator: Dick Wolf and Craig Turk ·
Current Seasons: 8 ongoing, renewed for 9 ·
Setting: New York Field Office

Six key details about this CBS procedural: the genre, premiere date, network, creators, setting, and current season status.

Why did Maggie on FBI leave the show?

Missy Peregrym’s multiple exits and returns

Missy Peregrym has portrayed Special Agent Maggie Bell since FBI premiered in September 2018 (The Direct). Her character has taken two notable breaks from the series. The first departure occurred between Season 2 Episode 17 “Broken Promises” and Season 3 Episode 1, while the second ran from Season 4 Episode 18 through Season 5 Episode 7 “Ready or Not” (CBR).

The first absence was written into the script as a personal storyline, while the second departure was explained in-universe through a sarin gas exposure storyline that required Maggie to leave the bureau temporarily (Digital Spy). Peregrym also missed the last four episodes of Season 4 for maternity leave before returning in Season 5.

• First exit: Season 2 Episode 17 to Season 3 Episode 1
• Second exit: Season 4 Episode 18 to Season 5 Episode 7

In Season 8, Maggie Bell is reportedly considering departure due to burnout from job stress and danger, with the death of colleague Dani in Episode 1 reportedly contributing to this emotional state (The Direct). The character has faced near-fatal situations across multiple seasons, creating a narrative foundation for the burnout storyline.

The pattern across eight seasons shows the writers using Maggie’s absences as both character development tools and practical accommodations, with the actress publicly listed in the main cast for Season 9 according to fan wikis (One Chicago & The FBIs Wiki).

The implication: Even with repeated absences, FBI maintains continuity because its ensemble supports the narrative.

Who is replacing Maggie on FBI?

Shantel VanSanten as Nina

Shantel VanSanten is returning as Special Agent Nina Chase to fill the gap left by Maggie Bell’s temporary absence (The Direct). Nina Chase previously appeared as a recurring character before being integrated into the main ensemble. Her return provides narrative continuity for the New York Field Office team.

The production schedule reportedly accommodates both actresses, with VanSanten appearing in episodes where Peregrym’s character is written out. This arrangement mirrors patterns from earlier seasons where temporary cast adjustments maintained episode output.

• Nina Chase returns to cover Maggie’s absence
• Shantel VanSanten resumes her established role

Temporary replacement details

Emily Alabi’s Dani Rhodes appeared in one Season 8 episode to conclude her storyline, but she is not positioned as a long-term replacement for Maggie (Us Weekly). John Boyd’s Scola continues with a new partner dynamic in Season 8.

The network has not announced whether Nina Chase will remain as a main character once Maggie returns or shift back to a supporting role. CBS programming decisions typically follow audience response metrics and spin-off potential considerations.

What this means: Shantel VanSanten’s involvement keeps the ensemble strong while Missy Peregrym’s future role remains uncertain.

Is the FBI renewed or canceled?

Season 9 renewal confirmation

CBS officially renewed FBI for Season 9 (CBS TV), marking one of the network’s most consistent renewal decisions for its expanding Wolf Entertainment procedural universe. The series has maintained strong Tuesday night ratings, anchoring CBS’s criminal procedural lineup.

The announcement included confirmation that Zeeko Zaki, John Boyd, and other core cast members remain in the main ensemble for Season 9 (One Chicago & The FBIs Wiki). Peregrym is listed among returning cast, though her episode commitment level remains unclear.

• Zeeko Zaki (OA Zidan)
• John Boyd (Scola)
• Missy Peregrym (Maggie Bell)

CBS announcement details

The Wolf Entertainment flagship series joined its Chicago and Most Wanted spin-offs in receiving Season 9 orders, signaling CBS’s commitment to the interconnected universe model. FBI First Cases, a potential spin-off, reportedly remains in development discussions according to industry trade reports.

The network confirmed FBI alongside Most Wanted and Chicago Justice for the 2024-2025 season lineup, positioning the franchise as central to CBS’s Tuesday programming strategy.

— CBS Entertainment announcement, 2024

The renewal came amid broader industry changes, with streaming rights increasingly affecting how broadcast networks program their marquee procedural series.

The pattern: CBS’s confidence in the Wolf Entertainment universe keeps the series on air despite cast uncertainties.

Will FBI have a season 8?

Season 8 episode schedule

FBI Season 8 is currently airing on Tuesdays on CBS in the US and later on Sky Witness in the UK (Digital Spy). The season follows the standard 22-episode order typical of CBS network dramas. Episode 2 featured the storyline establishing Maggie’s potential departure, while Episode 1 introduced the emotional catalyst through Dani’s death.

Production schedules typically run from late summer through early spring, with the broadcast window accommodating holiday breaks and sports programming overruns.

Remaining episodes

The season structure places roughly half the episode order before the midseason break, with the remaining episodes resuming in early spring. Cast availability directly affects which storylines move forward, particularly for ensemble-heavy plots.

The network has not announced any hiatus dates beyond scheduled programming, but viewers tracking episode counts can find updates through CBS’s official schedule and entertainment publications.

The catch: Even with a consistent episode order, the show’s ability to handle lead absences will determine viewer continuity.

FBI TV series cast

Main cast members

The FBI cast centers on the New York Field Office team, with Zeeko Zaki as Special Agent Omar Adom “OA” Zidan, Missy Peregrym as Maggie Bell, Jeremy Piven as Jubal Valentine, and John Boyd as Special Agent Stuart “Scola” Aslum. Shantel VanSanten rounds out the ensemble as Nina Chase when she appears in the rotation.

The ensemble structure allows for flexible episode focus, with various pairings handling different case types and personal storylines throughout the season. CBS has expanded the cast roster across spin-off productions, creating crossover opportunities. CSI Las Vegas cast

Real-life actor details like Jubal

Jeremy Piven, who plays Jubal Valentine, is married in real life to actress Kasia Urszula, whom he wed in 2020. Piven previously starred in Entourage and Wisdom before joining the FBI ensemble. The actor brings comedy-drama experience that shapes Jubal’s balancing role within the team’s more serious cases.

Missy Peregrym was born June 16, 1982, according to her verified Wikipedia profile (Wikipedia (show)). She has continued as main cast through the present season, establishing one of the longest-tenured lead roles in the Wolf Entertainment lineup. The 100 cast

Jubal Valentine’s character provides comic relief while maintaining the emotional stakes of the job—the writers clearly designed him as the team’s emotional anchor.

— CBR (entertainment analysis outlet)

John Boyd’s Scola received a new partner dynamic for Season 8, expanding his screen time and narrative involvement according to Us Weekly casting reports (Us Weekly).

What this means: Missy Peregrym’s enduring presence anchors the series, but the ensemble depth keeps it resilient.

Frequently asked questions

For fans tracking the series, the pattern is clear: FBI can sustain Maggie Bell’s absences because its ensemble carries the load. Missy Peregrym’s continued presence ensures the show’s stability, while Shantel VanSanten’s Nina Chase fills the gap when needed.