After FBI Lost A Cast Member In Season 7 Premiere, John Boyd Addresses the ‘Clear And Obvious Choice’ For The Character’s Exit

After FBI Lost A Cast Member In Season 7 Premiere, John Boyd Addresses the 'Clear And Obvious Choice' For The Character's Exit

As a seasoned gamer of TV shows, I’ve witnessed my fair share of character arcs, and none have left me as emotional as Tiff’s departure from FBI. Having followed this gripping series since its inception, I can say with certainty that the final scene between Scola and Tiff was a poignant conclusion to their tumultuous partnership.


Spoilers ahead for the Season 7 premiere of FBI, called “Abandoned.”

The FBI is set to return on TV schedules for Season 7 in 2024, but things aren’t quite back to normal following Tiff’s erratic episodes in the Season 6 finale in May. She chose to depart from the FBI and New York City entirely, resulting in a poignant yet low-key goodbye between her and Scola. In an interview with TopMob, John Boyd discussed the final scene shared by the partners, explaining that it felt right to explore fresh possibilities for their relationship.

It’s not surprising that Tiff is leaving, given her challenging journey throughout the sixth season due to Hobbs’ murder. Earlier this summer, it was announced that Katherine Renee Kane wouldn’t be reprising her role as a series regular on FBI. The curiosity has been about how FBI would bid farewell when she appeared in the Season 7 premiere.

Luckily, as the FBI stated, Tiff did not meet her end through death, and instead, it was Scola who suffered a serious injury during Season 7’s premiere (available for streaming with a Paramount+ subscription). In this episode, Scola was stabbed in the leg while apprehending a criminal. Before she embarked on a new life in Georgia, away from close calls and shootouts, Tiff helped tourniquet his wound and stayed by his side. Remarkably, this private moment between partners turned out to be their last one together.

In a candid discussion, John Boyd, who’s been portraying the character Scola since the second season, revealed insights into the shooting of the climactic scene alongside Katherine Renee Kane. He disclosed that this was the first time they incorporated a physical element into their performances, which added a unique touch to it.

That was an incredibly enjoyable experience for me. It was thrilling to have the opportunity to film that particular scene. The sequence was truly exceptional, and we wouldn’t have managed it without our long-term collaboration. The swift communication among us all was remarkable, and it was a wonderful accomplishment. We’re particularly proud of the stabbing scene. It was a deeply emotional day, as it marked Katherine and my final scene together. It was a unique, poignant moment for us, as actors, to bid farewell. I had an idea for Tiffany… during her tourniquet holding, for Scola to simply place his hand on hers, symbolizing their first touch in the series. This has never been shown before.

The stabbing not only marked the final one-on-one encounter between Tiff and Scola, but also the last scene the actors portraying their partners filmed together. Furthermore, it served as a subtle climax to Scola’s efforts to dissuade Tiff from leaving the Bureau and ending their partnership. Boyd further explained:

In their relationship, they were deeply connected emotionally without resorting to physical affection. Tiffany seemed capable of challenging Scola, helping him open up more, as he was generally private and reserved. This dynamic shift in Scola’s character has been fascinating to delve into. So, when Scola reached out to take Tiffany’s hand at the end, as an actor, it felt like a natural and fitting conclusion to their journey together.

Over time, it became evident that Tiff and Scola may not have shown much affection, but they held mutual respect and trust. In fact, it was during Season 5 when she encouraged him to stay with 26 Fed, which he might have left otherwise. Their relationship didn’t undergo a significant transformation at their farewell, but Scola holding her hand was a heartwarming gesture. The scene subtly avoided focusing on the moment of physical contact, making it seem more intimate and meaningful between these soon-to-be former partners. John Boyd summarized: “Their bond was rooted in trust and mutual respect.

She was such a joy to work with, being a fantastic actress. Since then, it’s been fascinating to watch her evolution, how she’s grown, and what new challenges she’s prepared to face, as well as how she can contribute to the team in the future. (Paraphrased)

In Episode 2 of Season 7, the FBI won’t delay in introducing Scola’s new partner. I’m glad that Katherine Renee Kane reappeared for the Season 7 opener, allowing her character to have a fitting farewell and share one final scene with Scola. Showrunner Mike Weiss offers some additional insights as to why the stabbing scene and handhold were suitable for Tiff and Scola’s relationship, explaining this to TopMob.

In our conversation with John, we ended up bidding a particularly heartfelt farewell to them during a deeply emotional moment. They didn’t engage in a hug or a lengthy speech about their feelings; instead, the intensity of the situation spoke for itself. That brief encounter, which functioned as their goodbye, I believe, held genuine sentiments that they shared with each other.

Overall, the FBI series isn’t known for its characters delivering heartfelt speeches or expressions of admiration or affection. However, it’s plausible to imagine Maggie and OA engaging in such conversations comfortably with each other. On the contrary, I can’t picture Tiff and Scola ever holding hands under normal circumstances; it was only because she was leaving and he was wounded that they touched hands. It’s disappointing that Katherine Renee Kane is no longer part of the show, but I appreciate that the Season 7 premiere gave Tiff a fitting send-off.

Tune in to find out what the FBI has planned for Scola as he teams up with a new partner, every Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on CBS. Following this, catch FBI: International featuring Jesse Lee Soffer as the leading man at 9 p.m. ET. Lastly, don’t miss FBI: Most Wanted, where relationships are always changing, airing at 10 p.m. ET. And if you want to watch earlier episodes of FBI, stream them on Paramount+.

Read More

Sorry. No data so far.

2024-10-16 04:07