Rumors of Zeeko Zaki (OA) leaving FBI have intensified following the harrowing events of the Season 8 mid-season finale (aired December 15, 2025). Fans were left reeling after several high-stakes episodes put OA in life-threatening positions, leading many to fear a “shocking twist” in the upcoming Season 8 finale.
Here is a breakdown of the evidence, the rumors, and what we know so far about OA’s future:
1. The “Brush with Death” Pattern
The rumors gained traction after Season 8, Episode 4, where OA was poisoned by a toxin while protecting a Senator on a flight. He was hospitalized and “sidelined” for the following episode, a move that showrunners later admitted was partly due to strategic budget management (writing around series regulars for a few episodes).
While OA made a full recovery, the frequency of his near-death experiences this season has fans worried that the writers are “priming” the audience for a permanent exit.
2. The Personal Life “Closure”
In Season 8, Episode 8 (“Ratlined”), OA’s personal life took a sudden and brutal turn. His long-term girlfriend, Gemma, revealed she was having an emotional affair and broke up with him.
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The Theory: Many fans believe the writers are clearing the decks of OA’s personal attachments. In TV procedural logic, a character becoming “untethered” from a romantic interest often precedes a major life change, a transfer, or a tragic exit.
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The Counter-Theory: Others argue this is simply making way for the long-awaited (and heavily debated) Maggie and OA romance.
3. The Jubal & Isobel Factor
The mid-season finale focused heavily on Jubal’s moral crisis after his son Tyler was critically injured in a terrorist bombing. With Jubal nearly crossing a line into torture, there is a secondary theory that the “shocking twist” might not be an exit for OA, but a massive promotion or a shift in leadership that puts OA in a higher position of power, potentially changing his “boots on the ground” status.
4. What the Actors and CBS Have Said
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Zeeko Zaki: In recent interviews, Zaki has remained enthusiastic about his “ride or die” partnership with Missy Peregrym. He has not indicated any desire to leave and has been officially listed as a returning series regular for the back half of Season 8.
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The Contract: FBI was given a massive three-season renewal in 2024, meaning it is safe through Season 9 (2026-2027). Zaki is expected to be a part of that journey.
5. Official Schedule
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The Return: FBI is currently on winter break and will return with all-new episodes on February 23, 2026.
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The Spin-off Link: OA is also rumored to make a guest appearance in the series premiere of the new spinoff, CIA, which launches the same night. This crossover suggests he is still very much a central pillar of the franchise.
Verdict: While OA has certainly been “put through the wringer” this season, there is no official confirmation that Zeeko Zaki is leaving. The “shocking twist” is more likely a narrative shift in his relationship with Maggie or a change in the team’s hierarchy following Jubal’s recent breakdown.
