Everything you need to know about the crime procedural drama
FBI is a crime procedural drama based around a fictional version of the New York field office.
Created by Dick Wolf - the man behind the One Chicago franchise as well as the world of Law And Order - the series has a core group of investigators that use their skills and expertise in order to crack a different case every week.
Central to the show is Special Agent Maggie Bell, whose position in the FBI is a birthright due to multiple generations of her family heading into the profession.
She is joined by her partner Special Agent Omar Adom Zidan (better known as O.A.) who was recruited to the elite detective force after years working undercover for the drug enforcement agency (DEA).
They both report to Special Agent-in-Charge Dana Mosier, with each episode focusing on the detectives and the team investigating a new major crime that could threaten the security of New York and the United States.
Launching in September 2018, the show is currently still on the air and is now in its sixth season.
Who is in the cast of FBI and where have we seen them before?
Due to the nature of the show, main and recurring characters are often subject to change episode to episode, and season to season.
The current main cast members as of season six are:
- Missy Peregrym (Reaper, Rookie Blue) as Special Agent Maggie Bell
- Zeeko Zaki (Allegiant, Valor) as Special Agent OA Zidan
- Jeremy Sisto (Six Feet Under, Law and Order) as Jubal Valentine, FBI Assistant Special Agent In Charge
- Alana de la Garza (Forever, Criminal Minds) as Isobel Castille, Special Agent in Charge
- John Boyd (Bones, 24) as Special Agent Stuart Scola.
- Katherine Renee Kane (Live a Little) as Special Agent and a former NYPD officer Tiffany Wallace.
How is FBI connected to the spin-offs?
FBI has proven to be so successful it has branched out into a fully-fledged franchise, with two spin-offs.
FBI: Most Wanted debuted in early 2020 and FBI: International followed in 2021.
As a result, many of the characters on the three shows make frequent guest appearances in the others, with the 100th episode of FBI proving the boldest move with a special, three-way crossover episode.
Most Wanted is based around the task force hunting down fugitives and those declared some of the most dangerous people in the US.
FBI: International focuses on an elite Special Agent squad known as the ‘Fly Team’, who focus on threats against the United States coming from abroad.
How successful is FBI and which awards has it won?
FBI has proven to be a highly popular police procedural - maintaining a steady average of 10.2million to 12million viewers each episode from seasons one to four.
Season five saw a dip in ratings to a still respectable 9.5million on US network CBS.
However, awards recognition has proven limited for the series, with only three awards wins over the course of the show, and none of them from major awards bodies.
What is the age rating of FBI?
FBI's official rating in the UK, as certified by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), is 15 for the complete run.
The ratings deem FBI unsuitable for younger viewers.
Reasons for the higher score is based solely on the violence involved in the series - most of which should be considered ‘expected’ for a police show setting.
This includes frequent use of guns, depictions of peril and intense scenarios including car chases, kidnapping and hostage situations.
There is also frequent, but not overly graphic, blood and gore.
Swearing and profanity is kept light and to a minimum.
How many episodes of FBI are there?
At the time of writing (March 2024), FBI has run for six seasons, totalling 104 episodes. Season seven is yet to be confirmed.
All the seasons have varied in length for numerous reasons. Season one launched with the industry standard of 22 episodes, with season two slightly shortened to 19.
Season three, which aired in 2020, only had 15 episodes, but this was due to the coronavirus pandemic causing restrictions industry-wide.
Season four had 21 episodes and season five had 23. Season six will only have 13 episodes - the shortest run to date - but this is due to timing restrictions made as a result of the SAG and WGA strikes of 2023, which drew Hollywood to a standstill as actors and writers fought for job stability and better wages.
FBI: Most Wanted, has run for five seasons (coming to 77 episodes) and FBI: International, which launched in September 2021, has completed three seasons, totalling 47 episodes.
Where can I watch FBI in the UK?
FBI seasons one to five are available to watch now on Sky Witness, Sky Go, and NOW.