There was an important reason why Scott Forrester (Luke Kleintank) left FBI: International after season 3. For the first three seasons of the police procedural, Forrester was the head of the elite Fly Team, which investigated international crimes that threatened the safety of the United States or violated the rights of US citizens living abroad. Like most shows in the One Chicago universe, it has had its fair share of cast turnover, though Forrester was a constant presence until near the end of season 3.
The team’s adjustment to new leader Wes Mitchell will be a strong arc for FBI: International season 4. Mitchell arrived in Budapest during the season premiere seeking the Fly Team’s help in catching an international criminal who had killed his partner at the LAPD, but Vo convinced him to become their permanent leader after the case was solved. While Vo knows and trusts Mitchell, others on the team may not. However, Forrester’s absence from this season is not solely for storyline purposes, as Luke Kleintank chose not to renew his contract at the end of season 3.
Related
Jesse Lee Soffer’s New FBI: International Character Marks A Wolf Ent First – But Is Mitchell Too Similar To Halstead?
Jesse Lee Soffer is back on television two years after exiting Chicago PD. His new character may be too similar to his old one to do Mitchell justice.
Luke Kleintank Left FBI To Spend More Time With His Family
Kleintank’s Decision Required FBI: International To Explain Forrester’s Absence
Kleintank announced he was leaving FBI: International shortly after the series scored its season 4 renewal. He said he wanted to spend more time with his family, though he was grateful for the three years he spent on set (via Deadline). This decision meant that the series needed to quickly find a way to write his character out, as there were only a few episodes left before his departure.
Kleintank was the second cast member to leave
FBI: International
during season 3, as Heidi Reed had left earlier in the season.
Forrester’s final episode aired on May 7, with two new episodes left in the season. Thus, Forrester was said to be missing in action. Meanwhile, Chicago Med alum Colin Donnell temporarily joined the cast as an NSA agent who led the team in his absence. By the finale, it had been revealed that Forrester was hiding out in Russia with his mother, who was a fugitive, thus ending the possibility that he would return to the Fly Team after being found.
How Wes Mitchell Connects To Scott Forrester In FBI: International
The New Team Leader Doesn’t Know Forrester But Is Familiar With Vo
There is no direct link between newcomer Wes Mitchell (Jesse Lee Soffer) and Scott Forrester. Mitchell is an LAPD cop who came to Budapest seeking the Fly Team’s help. After his partner was shot, Mitchell followed the killer’s trail to Budapest, which is what led him to the Fly Team. This was a surprising entrance, as it was widely speculated that the FBI would tap someone to be the permanent leader rather than leave it to chance that the right person would come along to fill the position.
While Forrester was level-headed and attempted diplomatic solutions to conflicts with local law enforcement, Mitchell has already demonstrated that he is more impulsive and willing to take risks in the name of getting justice.
Mitchell’s introduction was made easier by the fact that he has worked with Vo before. Mitchell was once her trainer, and thus she trusts him. Vo also encouraged Mitchell to become their permanent leader, indicating that Soffer replacing Kleintack on FBI: International may go more smoothly than expected. It is also helpful that he has a completely different personality than Forrester. While Forrester was level-headed and attempted diplomatic solutions to conflicts with local law enforcement, Mitchell has already demonstrated that he is more impulsive and willing to take risks in the name of getting justice.
Can Scott Forrester Still Return to FBI: International?
His Exit Was Open-Ended, But It Would Be Difficult
Forrester was not killed off, so technically, he can still return to the Fly Team. However, he is now a fugitive, as he helped his mother escape to Alaska. It would be difficult for him to return to the Fly Team as he likely would face arrest, as well as suspension from the FBI, for aiding and abetting his mother’s escape when she is wanted by the FBI.
If Forrester were to return to FBI: International, it could be in a dramatic story in which the Fly Team is asked to track and arrest their former leader, which would lead to divided loyalties and a compelling conflict. However, this story would end with him either being made to face justice or evading capture again, and it is unlikely that he would ever be able to return in a leadership capacity. It seems Mitchell will remain the team leader regardless of whether Forrester returns to the series.
Source: Deadline
FBI: International follows the elite agents of the FBI’s International Fly Team as they travel globally to protect Americans. The series focuses on their complex missions, navigating international law, and challenges posed by various jurisdictions, demonstrating the high-stakes nature of their work.
- Cast
- Carter Redwood , Vinessa Vidotto , Luke Kleintank , Heida Reed , Eva Jane Willis , Christiane Paul , Christina Wolfe , Sarah Junillon , Stefan Trout , Eric James Gravolin , Jeremy Sisto , Greg Hovanessian , Michael Torpey , Moe Irvin , Jesse Lee Soffer , Asher Miles Fallica , Stephanie Hoston , Jon Tarcy , Elizabeth Mitchell , Alana de la Garza , Adam Fidusiewicz , Miklós Bányai , Kelley Missal , Julian McMahon , Natalie Shinnick , Aaron Serotsky , Alon Aboutboul , Alexander Sokovikov , Christina Rouner , Jay Paulson , Barbara Eve Harris , Laila Drew , Connor Price
- Release Date
- September 21, 2021
- Seasons
- 4
