As CBS’ FBI Boss Reveals The Spy Thrillers That Inspired The Season 7 Premiere, John Boyd Talks ‘Saying Goodbye’ To One Cast Member

As CBS' FBI Boss Reveals The Spy Thrillers That Inspired The Season 7 Premiere, John Boyd Talks 'Saying Goodbye' To One Cast Member

As a devoted fan who has been following FBI since its inception, I am beyond excited for the upcoming Season 7! The hiatus has felt like an eternity, and I can barely contain my anticipation as we approach the October 15 premiere.


As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve been eagerly waiting for the comeback of my favorite TV show, FBI, since its gripping Season 6 finale. The wait is finally ending as CBS’ hit drama returns to our screens in the 2024 TV schedule on October 15. With a new season comes a fresh start, and we have Mike Weiss taking over as showrunner, replacing Rick Eid and Katherine Renee Kane who are moving on. Before the premiere, I had an exciting chat with Mike Weiss and John Boyd about the thrilling spy elements we can expect and the emotional farewell of Agent Tiffany Wallace and her partner Scola.

In the opening of Season 7, titled “Abandoned,” the team is drawn into a case that appears to contradict the life of a murdered Brooklyn plumber. The intrigue deepens from this point, with Tiff still grappling with the aftermath of Season 6’s events. (To refresh your memory about Season 6’s finale, you can subscribe to Paramount+.) This episode seems significant as it marks Mike Weiss’ tenure as the showrunner for FBI, and he himself penned the script. When I asked him about writing this episode, he revealed:

This project was an exceptional opportunity, as it featured six outstanding series regulars whose scenes were always captivating, dynamic, and far from dull. Working alongside Alex Chapple, our dedicated director who kicked off the season, added to the enjoyment. We exchanged numerous film enthusiast references while developing the storyline.

In Season 7, Mike Weiss joined the FBI team as a new member, but not so for director Alex Chapple, who has been at the helm of over twenty episodes of this series, as well as episodes from shows such as FBI: Most Wanted, Law & Order: SVU, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med within the Dick Wolf TV universe. It’s not often that an episode of FBI can be classified as a spy thriller, and Mike Weiss expressed his aim for the premiere to achieve just that. He stated:

This project offered a chance to create an episode that seamlessly blends FBI-like elements with a fast-paced spy thriller narrative. Our story kicks off with the mysterious death of a seemingly ordinary plumber living in the outskirts, which seems oddly complex for its nature. The method of his demise is highly sophisticated, suggesting assassination, but who would target such an unassuming figure? As it turns out, our humble plumber was not as simple as he appeared, and a captivating spy story unfolds. I can hardly contain my excitement about this script – writing it was an absolute blast!

In the vast world of cinema, spy movies have been quite abundant. When it comes to the creation of “Abandoned”, Mike Weiss’ contribution to FBI’s Season 7 premiere, were there any specific spy films that served as inspiration? I decided to ask the showrunner about this intriguing question, and he provided some suggestions:

Without a doubt, The Bourne Identity falls into my preferred category of ’70s psychological thrillers. Movies like Three Days of the Condor and The Parallax View, where intelligent characters find themselves in complex situations that challenge their intellect despite their best efforts to solve them. Writing these types of stories is immensely enjoyable for me.

In this episode, the agents won’t solely be engrossed in the case from start to finish; instead, it serves as a farewell for Katherine Renee Kane, portrayed by Tiff. Her departure wasn’t explicitly hinted at the end of Season 6 during the spring, but she had certainly experienced a lot leading up to this point.

As CBS' FBI Boss Reveals The Spy Thrillers That Inspired The Season 7 Premiere, John Boyd Talks 'Saying Goodbye' To One Cast Member

Tiffany and Scolai have teamed up for numerous seasons, while Maggie and OA formed another duo. However, as Season 7 approaches, Scolai finds himself grappling with the loss of his partner amidst all the hardships from last season, including the strife with Nina. Actor John Boyd offers a glimpse into how his character copes when the intense series resumes:

Scola seems a bit oblivious to the impending transformations in his life. It appears he may not be fully prepared for these changes. He seems to question Tiff’s intentions, suggesting she’s merely pretending to leave or being unwilling to perform her duties. However, I believe he may not fully grasp the situation unfolding in his world. Regrettably, this misunderstanding could lead him to lose Tiff, who was once his partner, and bid farewell to a significant relationship.

In the FBI universe, there are certainly less painful methods of parting ways than an agent choosing to leave their position (such as Jess LaCroix in FBI: Most Wanted), but that doesn’t make it any easier for Scola to accept when it results in losing a partner. Boyd further explained:

This transformation he’s undergoing is quite significant. From now on, discovering his identity as an individual and identifying the right person versus the wrong one as a partner will prove to be an exciting journey. It’s an interesting and enjoyable process to delve into.

The FBI won’t delay introducing a new character for Scola in Episode 2 of Season 7, as suggested by the episode description. Meanwhile, fans can look forward to Tiff’s return in the Season 7 premiere. When I inquired about any potential issues with Katherine Renee Kane’s availability for the premiere, showrunner Mike Weiss clarified:

As a dedicated fan, I couldn’t help but hope with all my heart for their storyline. With Scola and Tiff being such remarkable characters, portrayed exceptionally well by their talented actresses, the dynamic between them was too precious to let go. It would have been a true loss if we didn’t get a fitting farewell for these two unforgettable characters.

The anticipation for how the FBI concludes its farewell is almost at an end, as Season 7 debuts on Tuesday, October 15 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS. As usual, FBI will be succeeded by FBI: International at 9 p.m. ET, introducing a fresh leading character in the form of Jesse Lee Soffer from Chicago P.D. The evening will conclude with FBI: Most Wanted airing at 10 p.m. ET. For those who wish to rewatch earlier episodes of all three shows, they can be found streaming on Paramount+.

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2024-10-15 06:37