FBI Season 8 Cast: Returnees and Departures Explained

The FBI franchise witnessed a major upheaval at the close of the 2024-2025 TV season — but what impact did this have on the flagship series?

CBS surprised viewers in March with the announcement that FBI spinoffs FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted were canceled prior to their season 4 and season 6 finales later that spring.

Although FBI received a renewal for another season, the season 7 finale in May left fans — and Us — with numerous questions. For instance, would Special Agent Stuart Scola’s (John Boyd) latest partner, Dani Rhodes (Emily Alabi), survive another season after Scola endured the loss of back-to-back partners throughout the season?

The season finale also presented a significant cliffhanger featuring SAC Isobel Castille (Alana De La Garza). Following a bomb explosion at 26 Fed in New York City, Isobel was initially believed to be among the casualties. Though she survived, as the team uncovered which FBI agents had compromised their ranks, Isobel’s injuries flared up again.

As Isobel congratulated the team on their success in the episode’s concluding moments, she began to stutter and eventually collapsed. To the horror of everyone, Special Agent Maggie Bell (Missy Peregrym) disclosed, “She doesn’t have a pulse.”

This tense ending left fans speculating about Isobel’s fate and if she might be written out of the show before season 8.

Scroll down for an overview of which FBI stars are confirmed — and which are not — for season 8 so far:

Missy Peregrym

Peregrym’s Maggie faced near-death experiences multiple times throughout season 7 but emerged unscathed in the season finale. Although the actress hasn’t confirmed her return for season 8, nor denied it, she has been a key character since season 1 and remains crucial to the ensemble.

Zeeko Zaki

Zaki has portrayed Special Agent Omar Adom “OA” Zidan since season 1, and like Maggie, he safely made it through the season 7 finale. Although Zaki hasn’t confirmed his involvement in the next season, his passion for the show and his role is clear. “It’s super fun,” Zaki shared with Us Weekly in March about being an FBI agent. “My favorite part of the job is the stunt days.”

Alana De La Garza

De La Garza’s Isobel fainted during the closing moments of the season 7 finale, leaving fans worried about her future on the show. “Literally, you have to tune in to see. I mean, it is a legit cliffhanger,” the actress mentioned in an interview with TV Insider in May when asked about Isobel’s fate. De La Garza kept her plans under wraps, adding, “But it’s very exciting. And very fun to play, unlike anything I’ve played before.”

Jeremy Sisto

Sisto has been portraying ASAC Jubal Valentine since the show’s inception and intends to return for season 8. “I hope she’s alive. That’s my primary hope,” Sisto expressed to TV Insider in May, referring to De La Garza’s character’s cliffhanger. “Every year, I don’t start from a place of hope. I hope one or more of the writers brings a storyline that’s kind of personal for them and incorporates it into Jubal’s life.”

John Boyd

While Boyd’s return as Scola hasn’t been officially confirmed, he is anticipated to reprise his role. However, according to Deadline, Scola will be partnered with someone new when season 8 kicks off.

Emily Alabi

Alabi debuted on FBI in April as Special Agent Dani Rhodes, Scola’s most recent partner. She joined the team after Scola’s longtime partner Tiffany “Tiff” Wallace (Katherine Renee Kane) left the show at the start of season 7. Scola briefly partnered with Sydney Ortiz (Lisette Olivera) before her departure in season 7, episode 8.

Although fans believed Dani might be a good match for Scola, TVLine reported in July that the character will only return for one episode in season 8 to conclude her storyline.

Juliana Aidén Martinez

Deadline reported on July 15 that Martinez will replace Alabi’s Dani as the newest agent at 26 Fed in season 8. Previously, she played Detective Kate Silva on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, but she was not invited back for season 27.

Martinez will not reprise her role as Detective Silva on FBI; instead, she will portray a new character within the same Dick Wolf universe, according to the outlet.

Shantel VanSanten

VanSanten originally appeared on FBI as Special Agent Nina Chase in season 4 in 2022. During her time in the flagship series, Nina developed a relationship with Scola, culminating in them having a son named Dougie. VanSanten transitioned to FBI: Most Wanted full-time during season 5, continuing to play the same character.

With FBI: Most Wanted concluding after season 6 in May, fans are hopeful that Nina will come back to FBI — either as a series regular or guest star to further her romance with Scola.

Zaki had previously mentioned to Us in March that it would be “natural” for Nina and Scola to eventually tie the knot. “I have no idea if we’re gonna see that this season or not,” he hinted, suggesting that the narrative surrounding Nina and Scola would continue.

FBI season 8 is set to premiere on CBS on Monday, October 13, at 9 p.m. ET.