In the high-stakes world of the FBI’s New York field office, few things are as reliable as the bond between Special Agents Maggie Bell and Omar Adom “OA” Valentine. For seven seasons, their partnership has been the bedrock of the CBS hit drama FBI, characterized by a level of platonic intimacy that is rare in modern television. They have saved each other’s lives more times than they can count, shared their deepest traumas, and stood as a unified front against domestic terrorism and organized crime. However, as the series progresses through early 2026, a persistent question continues to flicker in the minds of the “FBIFam”: Are they destined to remain professional partners, or is the show finally laying the groundwork for them to become partners-to-be in a more romantic sense? Recently, stars Missy Peregrym and Zeeko Zaki sat down to tease the future of this iconic duo, and their insights suggest that the dynamic is entering a territory more complex than ever before.
The fascination with “Maggie and OA” (often dubbed “Maoa” by shippers) stems from the undeniable chemistry between the two leads. Unlike many procedurals that rush into a “will-they-won’t-they” trope, FBI has taken a disciplined, slow-burn approach. Missy Peregrym has often noted that the strength of their relationship lies in its purity. In a recent press event, she teased that the upcoming episodes will delve deeper into the emotional fallout of the winter finale’s cliffhanger, which saw the pair isolated and forced to rely on their intuitive understanding of one another. Peregrym hinted that when you spend that much time in the “foxhole” with someone, the lines between professional respect and deep, personal love naturally begin to blur. While she stopped short of confirming a romantic pivot, she acknowledged that the “safety” they find in each other is becoming a central theme of the season.
Zeeko Zaki, who has always been vocal about his appreciation for the Maggie-OA dynamic, added more fuel to the fire. He teased that OA’s protective nature toward Maggie is reaching new heights following her recent brushes with danger. According to Zaki, the characters are reaching a stage where they no longer have to speak to communicate; they are “soulmates in a professional sense,” but he questioned how long that can remain strictly platonic when their external support systems continue to fail. With both characters having faced significant heartbreak in their individual dating lives over the past few seasons, the narrative seems to be pointing toward the realization that the person they’ve been looking for has been standing right next to them in a tactical vest all along.
The showrunners have played a masterful game of cat-and-mouse with the audience’s expectations. By introducing a new layer of vulnerability in their “off-clock” scenes, the writers are exploring what happens when two people who are married to their jobs find their only true solace in their partner. The upcoming midseason arc reportedly features a series of “quiet moments”—a departure from the usual explosions and foot chases—where Maggie and OA are forced to confront the reality of their future. If the FBI were to split them up or if one were to be promoted, could they exist in each other’s lives without the badge? This question is at the heart of the “partners-to-be” speculation.
However, the stars also acknowledge the risks of changing a formula that works so well. The “Moonlighting Curse” is a real concern for long-running dramas; sometimes, the tension is more compelling than the resolution. Peregrym teased that if they were to move toward a romantic relationship, it would have to be handled with extreme care to avoid compromising the tactical integrity of the show. Fans are divided: some crave the emotional payoff of a confession, while others fear it would ruin the unique, gender-neutral “buddy cop” energy that makes FBI stand out. The stars’ recent teasers suggest that the show is looking for a middle ground—a “partnership 2.0” that acknowledges their deep bond without necessarily turning the show into a soap opera.
As we move toward the spring of 2026, the subtext is becoming louder. The way OA looks at Maggie when she returns from a dangerous undercover stint, and the way Maggie is the only one who can calm OA’s temper, speaks volumes. Whether the writers decide to pull the trigger on a romance or keep them in a state of heightened platonic devotion, the future of Maggie and OA remains the most compelling narrative thread of the series. They are the heart of the Bureau, and their evolution is a testament to the power of a partnership built on time, trust, and shared sacrifice.
The wait for a definitive answer continues, but one thing is certain: the bond between Bell and Valentine is unbreakable. Whether they remain partners in the field or become partners in life, their journey is far from over. As Missy and Zeeko continue to tease the “explosive” developments ahead, fans are advised to watch the eyes, not just the action. The most significant shifts in FBI often happen in the silences between the sirens, and that is exactly where the future of Maggie and OA is being written.
