It didn’t take long for the series to receive a spinoff, and the season 1 episode “Most Wanted” served as a backdoor pilot for the eponymous offshoot. The popular CBS procedural has been spun off one more time in the years since, and it is quickly becoming TV’s next multi-show franchise with a CIA spinoff up next. Like other Dick Wolf creations such as Law & Order and the One Chicago franchise, FBI works so well because of the nearly limitless possibilities that could easily see the flagship series stretch on for decades. Even with six seasons under its belt, FBI shows no signs of stopping.
FBI Season 7 Critical Reception
Critics Found The Shortcomings Of Season 7
Though FBI remains a reliable hit with audiences, critics did have some gripes about season 7 that are justified. Two trends in the show were noted in particular among pop culture aficionados this season.
Comic Book Resources also made note of a “troubling trend” in the show that had nothing to do with its dialogue. The site noted in their review of a season 7 episode that the series seemed to make a particular effort in showcasing storylines that focused on violence toward women. While it’s likely that is an effort by FBI season 7 to reflect real-world danger, CBR noted the particular episode “isn’t offering anything that makes sitting through that violence worthwhile,” despite the capable performances of the cast.
Even with those critical concerns, however, FBI remains a gem in the eyes of the audience. While ratings were down for the season by about 9% compared to season 6 (via TV Series Finale), that kind of drop is not unexpected for a series that has been on the air for more than five years. It’s still pulling in respectable numbers with over 6 million people watching live every week, and the season finale was actually up 7% for the season.
The all-FBI Tuesdays schedule has helped CBS dominate the ratings, and the network continued that trend for season 7, making the episodes of FBI available to stream on Paramount+ after they aired. With season 7 complete, the entire season, as well as the rest of the series, is available to stream on Paramount+.
FBI Season 7 Cast
Most Of The Cast Returned For Season 7
Procedurals like FBI are known for keeping cast members around for a long time, and there isn’t a lot of change from season to season. Though season 6 saw the tragic death of recurring character Trevor Hobbs, played by Roshawn Franklin, major characters typically don’t change all that often. With that in mind, FBI season 7’s cast looks a lot like season 6’s, with Missy Peregrym returning as Special Agent Maggie Bell alongside the rest of her familiar team.
A list of cast returns includes:
| Actor | FBI Role | |
|---|---|---|
| Missy Peregrym | Special Agent Maggie Bell |
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| Zeeko Zaki | Special Agent Omar Adom “OA” Zidan |
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| John Boyd | Special Agent Stuart Scola |
 |
| Katherine Renee Kane | Special Agent Tiffany Wallace |
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| Alana de la Garza | SAC Isobel Castille |
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| Jeremy Sisto | Assistant SAC Jubal Valentine |
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| Lisette Olivera | Syd |
 |
FBI Season 7 Story
A Case-Per-Week Format Continues
Throughout the season, one of the few longer arcs is the question of who will replace Tiffany on the team. Several guest stars rotated through the vacant position, but none have been officially added as a main cast member. The end of FBI season 7 did feature a story that will lend itself to a longer arc in the next season as the government organization found itself infiltrated by traitors, putting the team in danger.
How The FBI Season 7 Finale Sets Up Season 8
The Show Left The Audience With A Lot Of Questions
The FBI season 7 finale made the typical case-of-the-week stakes personal for the team and left a lot of questions for FBI season 8 to answer. It revealed that the New York field office had been infiltrated by members of the organization Forefront. As the team worked to root out traitors and figure out who they could trust, one of the Assistant Directors ended up dead, and another ended up arrested, leaving gaps in the leadership of the field office that will have to be filled in FBI season 8.
The season finale also hints that searching for traitors is not quite over, as Agent Castille collapses just after starting to talk to the team about possible traitors. Forefront and its ramifications will continue to be a part of FBI season 8. When FBI returns for its new season, it will also have to immediately settle the question of whether Castille survived the events of the season finale or whether the team will be in need of a new direct leader in addition to all those vacant upper management positions.
