As FBI: International gears up for its highly anticipated Season 8, fans are in for a major shake-up with the departure of Emily Alabi, who portrayed Special Agent Dani Rhodes. Alabi, who joined the team in Season 7 as the new partner to John Boyd’s character, Special Agent Stuart Scola, will be leaving the show after a relatively brief tenure. Her exit follows a pattern of partner changes for Scola, whose dynamic with his teammates has been in flux since Season 7.
The character of Dani Rhodes quickly gained popularity, bringing a sharp edge and a fresh energy to the team. However, her departure leaves a significant void in the team’s structure, and fans are left wondering how the show will handle the transition. Alabi is expected to make a brief appearance in Season 8 to wrap up her character’s storyline, though no official details have been released about how Dani’s exit will be written into the plot. Whether it will be a reassignment, a career change, or something more dramatic remains to be seen.
As one door closes, another opens. FBI: International welcomes a new face to the cast in the form of Juliana Aidén Martinez, a familiar face to Law & Order: SVU fans. Martinez, who is best known for her portrayal of Officer Tanya Garcia on SVU, joins the team as a series regular for Season 8. Although the specifics of her role have not yet been revealed, many fans are speculating that she could be stepping into the role of Scola’s new partner, finally providing some much-needed stability to his character’s professional life.
This change comes at a time when the show is navigating the ongoing challenge of team chemistry. Scola’s relationships with his previous partners, including Rhodes and Lissette Olivera’s character Syd, have been marked by rapid shifts and brief pairings, leaving little time to fully explore the dynamic between the agents. As the show continues to evolve, the addition of Martinez’s character could be the key to establishing a more solid and lasting partnership for Scola.
The revolving door of partners for Scola has been a point of contention for both fans and the show’s writers. While FBI: International has remained a successful procedural drama, the frequent changes in team dynamics have created a sense of narrative instability. With Martinez’s character potentially becoming a permanent fixture, viewers are hoping for a more grounded and consistent character arc for Scola, allowing the emotional depth and development of his character to take center stage.
Season 8 of FBI: International is shaping up to be a season of transition and reinvention. The departure of Dani Rhodes and the arrival of Martinez’s character will undoubtedly be a central focus in the early episodes, as the team adjusts to the new dynamics. However, fans can also expect the high-stakes cases and international intrigue that have made the show a fan-favorite, as well as a deeper exploration of Scola’s personal life, particularly now that he is a father
As the FBI franchise continues to expand with FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International, the series is clearly committed to keeping the storytelling fresh while maintaining the procedural formula that has made it a staple of CBS’s primetime lineup. The introduction of new characters, the departure of fan favorites, and the ongoing evolution of team dynamics all promise to make FBI: International Season 8 one of the most exciting yet.
