The FBI family is officially expanding! Missy Peregrym, the actress who has anchored the CBS flagship series as Special Agent Maggie Bell since its inception, has shared the joyous news that she and husband Tom Oakley are expecting their third child.
The announcement, which Peregrym shared with her signature blend of humor and heart, has sparked a wave of celebration across social media. For fans who have watched Maggie Bell navigate everything from sarin gas exposure to the challenges of foster motherhood, this real-life “new chapter” is a welcome moment of pure happiness.
The Announcement: “No More Hiding It”
Taking to Instagram in early 2026, Peregrym posted a heartwarming video that has become a bit of a tradition for her family. Following the same playful aesthetic as her previous announcements, the clip featured pairs of sneakers representing each family member—Tom, Missy, Otis (born in 2020), and Mela (born in 2022)—before a tiny new pair of baby shoes was dropped into the frame.
“Our family is growing again! We are so grateful, a little tired, and incredibly excited to add another little one to the mix this summer. #LilOakley #Round3”
The post was immediately flooded with messages from her FBI co-stars. Zeeko Zaki (OA) was among the first to comment, joking about his role as the “world’s best TV uncle,” while Jeremy Sisto (Jubal) and Alana De La Garza (Isobel) shared their congratulations for the expanding Oakley clan.
Balancing the Badge and the Bump
For dedicated viewers, a pregnancy announcement from the show’s lead often leads to questions about the production schedule. This is Peregrym’s third time navigating a pregnancy while starring in the high-octane procedural, and the FBI writers have proven to be experts at adapting:
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Maternity Leave History: In Season 2, Maggie was written out for a few episodes via a “secret undercover mission.” In Season 4, the writers used a traumatic sarin gas incident to provide Peregrym with a meaningful medical leave.
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Season 8 Strategy: Showrunners have hinted that they were prepared for this possibility. Given that Maggie Bell’s character has recently taken on the role of a foster mother to young Ella, some fans are theorizing that the show might actually write the pregnancy into the script this time, rather than hiding it behind tactical vests and oversized clipboards.
A “Feminine Maternal Side”
In recent interviews, Peregrym has expressed a desire to bring more of her “real-life maternal energy” to the screen. She worked closely with producers to develop the storyline where Maggie becomes the guardian of her late friend Jessica’s daughter.
This third pregnancy feels particularly poetic given Maggie’s current arc in Season 8. As the character learns the “hard truths” of balancing a dangerous federal career with the needs of a child, Peregrym is living that reality in real-time. She has been vocal about the “luxury” of being able to have her children on set, often sharing photos of her breastfeeding between takes or her husband Tom stepping up as the ultimate “supportive partner.”
What’s Next for Maggie Bell?
While CBS has confirmed that Peregrym will take a temporary leave of absence later this season to welcome the new baby, fans don’t need to worry about a permanent exit. The network has already renewed FBI for Season 9, and Peregrym is expected to return to the JOC as soon as her maternity leave concludes.
As the Oakley-Peregrym family prepares for a “party of five,” the FBI community remains her biggest cheering section. In a world of scripted drama and high-stakes investigations, this real-world addition is a reminder that the best stories are often the ones happening off-camera.
