Missy Peregrym of the FBI Returns as Maggie Takes a Leave Due to a Loss
FBI‘s Missy Peregrym has made her return to the series following Maggie’s leave of absence, triggered by a significant loss.
Maggie rejoined the team in the episode that aired on Monday, March 30, where she conversed with Isobel (Alana de la Garza). She expressed, “I’ll be honest, it’s a lot. But I’ve taken the time to truly feel everything. I understand that grief is a journey; it will fluctuate, but I’ve been focusing on self-care.”
She added, “I just had my final session with my counselor, and he agrees that I’m ready to return. I’ve followed his suggestions.”
Isobel pointed out that she needed to “sign off” on Maggie’s return to active duty.
“Maggie, the loss of your sister was a tremendous trauma. You expressed similar emotions after losing your husband — word for word,” Isobel remarked. Maggie responded, “I wish I could say I haven’t been here before. I have. … I pursued justice for Erin as best as I could; the man who killed her is no longer alive.”
Maggie’s partner, OA (Zeeko Zaki), was thrilled to have her back on the field. After Isobel reminded him to “keep an eye” on Maggie, he checked in with her later during the episode.
“It’s not a conspiracy, Maggie. I was planning to check in on you anyway,” he assured her, to which Maggie replied that being back was “tough,” but she would “be alright.”
Earlier in the month, Maggie’s first arrest — serial slasher Ray DiStefano (Matthew Rauch) — resulted in the kidnapping of her sister, Erin (Adrienne Rose Bengtsson). Maggie spent the episode desperately trying to rescue her sibling, only to discover her lifeless body in the back of DiStefano’s truck.
Peregrym, 43, later refuted any plans to depart the show following Maggie’s personal tragedy.
“I’ll be honest. I’m on a procedural show, and I occasionally question the impact we are making. Sometimes it frightens me because I feel we are merely showcasing humanity’s horrors weekly,” Peregrym shared with Deadline. “What’s the purpose? What am I dedicating a significant part of my life to accomplish?”
Peregrym expressed relief at seeing how the show will continue to tackle relevant themes.
“It’s crucial what we’re doing, highlighting the pathway to moving forward. Each individual experiences loss and traverses the depths of emotions,” she elaborated. “We have the chance to depict connections, relationships, intimacy, and growth. That’s precisely why I pursue this career. I aspire for this to resonate with people, encouraging them to persevere after traumatic experiences, reminding them they shouldn’t give up.”
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“After coming so far, I thought, ‘What’s next?’ I’ve portrayed the same character for eight years, and we’re traversing complex territory,” she reflected. “What’s the plan? How do we progress to getting back on our feet and reintegrating into the world? We’re not a drama where we lounge around talking; we need to return to work.”
She concluded, “At what stage do we confront this reality? We are addressing it in the most effective way possible for our show, given our procedural format. As intimidating as it was, I found it fascinating playing my character in this new context. It feels like we’re reinventing the show, and perhaps that’s a blessing.”
FBI airs on CBS Mondays at 9 p.m. ET.
