Season 6, episode 11 of CBS’ FBI unveils new secrets about the past, exemplifying that there are plenty of stories still to be explored for its veteran characters. “No One Left Behind” expands on OA’s time in the army and reveals that he was once a prisoner of war. Although he’s spent years processing the traumatic experience, OA struggles to be honest with Gemma about what he’s been through.
Zeeko Zaki enjoys diving into his character’s personal storylines and was honored by the opportunity to represent those who have been through similar situations. Zaki feels that the background information further justifies his character’s intensity throughout the series and allows him to showcase his vulnerable side. The actor is excited to learn more about OA, hoping to examine his family life and onscreen relationships.
Zaki chats with Screen Rant about OA’s time as a prisoner of war, his future with Gemma, and potential storylines following FBI’s three-season renewal.
OA’s Struggle Shows “It’s Okay To Be Vulnerable”
Screen Rant: Congratulations on being renewed for three more seasons! What do you think has added to FBI’s success and given it such longevity?
Zeeko Zaki: For me, it comes back to the energy on the set and the crew and the machine as a whole. Our show really brings that energy onto the screen, and I feel like the audience feels it. As a lead of the show, it’s just so nice to see and feel everybody involved getting the validation for all of their hard work.
Episode 11 brings up a lot of grief for OA. What were your initial thoughts on this storyline?
Zeeko Zaki: I love when we get to go into our personal storyline, because we get to learn about the characters in real time and learn about our past as each script lands. We learn in this episode that I was a prisoner of war for 22 days. It really just reminds me of the real people that have really experienced these things that we’re representing.
Getting the opportunity and the chance to represent those people and to tell those stories, because, again, we end up in millions of homes—getting to feel like you’re speaking for people that have really dealt with these things and giving that exposure is an honor.
How was learning all this new information about OA’s army days and rehashing everything he’s been through?
Zeeko Zaki: I enjoyed it a lot. I think, for me, it justifies the intensity of OA as a character. He’s a very intense guy and serious guy at moments. So it was nice to see that there’s a valid reason for that. The things he’s seen and the things he’s been through have really hardened him. It’s nice, again, to show that no matter what you’ve been through, it’s okay to be vulnerable. It’s okay to open up, and it’s okay to share your past and to speak on the difficulties that you’ve experienced.
OA’s Relationship With Gemma Allows Him To Be More “Well-Rounded”
We discover that OA has been watching out for the wife of the man he was a prisoner of war with. Did you come up with a backstory about what that relationship may have looked like over the years?
Zeeko Zaki: To me, the exciting part about this episode, as an actor was realizing that there are things bigger than us, personally, and really showing that OA shows up for multiple people, regardless of how that sort of affects the other people in his life. It really just shows how important and how okay it is to keep your promises. I think people speak a lot and people make promises, and it’s showing that code of ethics that he holds true. He’s such a stand-up guy, and it’s just really an honor to play him.
In the end, what do you think inspired OA to open up to Gemma about everything?
Zeeko Zaki: I think what inspired him was seeing how fragile life is and getting to be confronted with his past face-to-face with a prisoner of war. It’s just such a heavy weight these things, and it’s okay to share that load with the people in your life that care about you. No matter how strong of a character you are, no matter how strong of a person you are, having community and having people to share your vulnerable, dark past with is really important. I’m happy that that’s a part of his character as well.
What do you want for the future of OA and Gemma’s relationship? Do you think they’re a good match long-term?
Zeeko Zaki: I do think they are a good match long-term. Everything’s about balance in this world, and it’s so fun to be in a relationship with someone at the other end of the spectrum of that. And also to show that you don’t have to be in a relationship with somebody that’s a mirror image of you or someone that is in your same line of work. It just creates a whole new world. I see OA having to go to her friends’ birthday parties and things like that, and it just creates a more well-rounded human being at the end of the day, because if he just lives for the next bomb, it’s going to be too much.
Zaki Enjoys OA And Maggie’s Personal Storylines
Now that FBI has been renewed for three more seasons, is there a plotline that you would like to see explored?
Zeeko Zaki: We learn about our pasts in real-time with the audience, and I think just as much as the audience wants to learn more about the characters, so do I. If it goes into his family and his culture or his past, anything in that direction would be very exciting.
Also, I just love when OA and Maggie get to dive into their personal worlds together and be there for each other. It’ll be exciting to see where all of the personal relationships go along with all the new crimes that we’ll get the opportunity to hopefully solve.
We’re approaching the end of season 6, so what can you tease about the final episode?
Zeeko Zaki: The final episode is a full-circle moment from our first episode, which is really exciting. We don’t usually leave cliffhangers or villains that get away, so it’s nice to get an opportunity to close that loop. It’s also great to, again, just show how strong of a team we are and to show our unity through multiple characters’ perspectives.
This is definitely a fun chapter closing on a pretty intense villain and what he did to us, and what he did to one of our own, and things like that. It’s just going to be a very well-earned “getting that guy” moment.
About FBI
From Emmy Award winner Dick Wolf and the team behind the “Law & Order” brand, FBI is a fast-paced drama about the inner workings of the New York office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This elite unit brings to bear all their talents, intellect and technical expertise on major cases in order to keep New York and the country safe.
Check out our other FBI interviews, as well:
Eva-Jane Willis
Jeremy Sisto
John Boyd
Roxy Sternberg
Vinessa Vidotto
New episodes of FBI season 6 air Tuesdays at 8pm ET on CBS.
