‘FBI: Most Wanted’ Boss Talks Team Changes in Finale, What Would’ve Happened in Season 7
Spoiler Alert
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for the FBI: Most Wanted series finale “The Circle Game.”]
If FBI: Most Wanted was renewed for a seventh season, the Tuesday, May 20, finale would have looked very different — and ended on a cliffhanger!
“Remy [Dylan McDermott] would have re-upped for another year as Task Force leader and the cliffhanger in the season finale would have been a big ‘white whale’ fugitive who gets away — only to be captured in the following season,” showrunner David Hudgins tells TV Insider.
The CBS drama was canceled in March, meaning it was too early for the producers to start looking ahead, and so there are few details about what we could have seen, should the series have continued.
“We never got to the point of exploring stories for Season 7 because the cancellation news came so early, which gave us time to craft the series finale,” Hudgins says. There’s no word on the possibility of maybe one day seeing what could have come next.
With that heads up, Hudgins and the rest of the writers and producers were able to end the series as they wanted to. Remy retired, as he announced at the soft opening of his and Abby’s (Susan Misner) restaurant. Rather than take that job in D.C., which would have taken her closer to her kids, Barnes (Roxy Sternberg) is now taking over as team leader.
“After her divorce, the question for Barnes in Season 6 was, who am I? In the end, she decided that she could never do a desk job; she is happiest when being a ‘cop’ and taking bad guys off the street. Sometimes the best thing a parent can do for the kids is to love themselves first,” explains the showrunner.
Other reveals in the finale about the team include Hana (Keisha Castle-Hughes) and Ethan (Michael Raymond-James) are making it work and moving in together after he’s out of rehab — “Hana loves him, and he kept his promise to get clean,” notes Hudgins — and Ray (Edwin Hodge) and Cora (Caroline Harris) are having a baby. If the show had been renewed, that would still have happened, giving them the chance to explore Ray balancing that with work.
“It’s a blended family, with Caleb as his stepson, but as Remy says in the finale, Ray is such a solid man of good character that the world needs more Cannons in it,” according to Hudgins.
Something that might have changed was Nina (Shantel VanSanten) making up with her father in Texas — after they helped her sister move out, now that she’s left her husband — at the beginning of the episode.
“I loved the idea that Nina had already forgiven him — as a survival mechanism — so it was definitely a move on her father’s side. Perhaps we would have played out the tension more had the series not ended,” admitted Hudgins.
Mark Schafer / CBS
That dinner at Remy’s restaurant included him giving a sweet toast to each member of the team. He called Nina “strong … fierce and absolutely the most terrifying driver I’ve ever ridden with” and praised his own decision to poach her from Jubal (FBI‘s Jeremy Sisto) “because you are an absolutely stunning agent, and in the immortal words of George Strait, god bless Texas.” Ray is “an absolute badass,” with his fear of rats his only problem. “But when I think of you, Ray, I think of honesty, loyalty, integrity,” Remy continued. “You are an example to everyone, and congratulations on kid #2. We need more Cannons in this world.”
He then turned to the OG task force duo; Hana and Barnes were with the Fugitive Task Force back during the backdoor pilot on FBI. To Hana, he said, “I never had children, but if I ever did, I’d want them to be just like you: genius-level smart, kind, loyal, great sense of humor. I’d probably leave out the short part though. … But thank you for everything. I’m going to miss you.” It was during his words to Barnes that he revealed she was taking over as boss: “It’s no secret we’ve had our ups and downs; I think the reason for that is you’re really bossy. In all seriousness,I could say so much about you, but I think everyone knows exactly how I feel when I say, ladies and gentlemen, the new team leader of the New York Fugitive Task Force, Sheryll J. Barnes!”
With that, as part of the tradition of the FBI, he passed along handcuffs — first mini ones, then his from Quantico — to “keep catching those bad guys.” Barnes had something for him as well: his badge framed.
That ending “was a way for the audience to say goodbye to each of the characters — with Remy as their voice. Dylan nailed it as usual,” says Hudgins.
What did you think of the series finale? What would you like to have seen explored in a seventh season? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Comments are closed on this story.
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G
What I wanted was for the show to continue. Ending it for budgetary reasons was short sighted at best. This decision left a bad taste in my mouth ,
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A
This is by far the best of the 3 FBIs. With the solid characters & the development of each of them beyond the job, this could have gone on for multiple years. A huge mistake on the part of CBS. We loved the series finale, although we are left wondering how they will handle Scola on FBI without Nina. That crossover aspect brought the two shows together in an inextricable way. We will truly miss these characters and this show. Not remotely interested in CIA or anything else new - why bother when a brilliant show like this gets thrown away?
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I'm just so bummed the show is ending. Anything the writers would've like to explore via the show would be fine with me. It was a great show I looked forward to every week and I will miss it. Sending love to entire cast. Thank you.
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G
I liked the finale. Of course my choice would be for the show to continue… It was one of my favorites.
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C
This was really a great show, sad that it's ending, love all the characters. Blessings for all your future endeavors.
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G
Truly loved this show and I am very upset with CBS for canceling both the FBI shows!!!
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T
I love FBI Most Wanted and wished it could have continued another season. I love how it ended but sad.😭
18
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R
I would have liked another season.
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P
CBS is so cheap how about taking 60 minutes off the air, canceling the best FBI show is not right. Every show that was cancel by CBS is because of money, Blue Blood and FBI Most Wanted had lot more years and stories to do. We will miss them.
15
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O
Right?? They say it's about money so take 60 Minutes off yes, BUT, ALSO, what about all these new shows that are starting??? Lol they're not lacking money they're lacking sight and not reading the room... Thank God the original flagship FBI is still on for three more seasons but big mistake canceling the other two FBI's as well as other shows that people have grown to love.
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P
Of the FBIs, Most Wanted is my favorite. I'm a bit upset with CBS. They have canceled several of my favorite shows. Blue Bloods, Equalizer, FBI International, and of course FBI, Most Wanted. I threaten to stop watching CBS but I never do. I do think if a series ends on a cliffhanger the network should add an extra show or movie to tie up the lose ends.
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O
I'm hoping Nina goes back to FBI
6
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O
I liked it, although I would prefer another few seasons!
No more Tuesday FBI night 😞
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C
I’m sorry to see the show go. I’m hoping that the writers will find away to bring FBI most Wanted back and Cheryll Barnes leading the show.
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O
The series finale of FBI Most Wanted was definetly a better ending than the ending of FBI International. It was more of a fitting, happy end to the series. Remy retired from the FBI and is opening a bar and restaurant with Abby, Barnes is staying in NY as the new head of the Task Force, Ray and Cora are having a baby, Ethan is out of rehab and he and Hana are moving in together, and Nina forgave her father. All in all, it was a really nice way to end the series, unlike the terrible way FBI International ended. That being said, I am really sad to see Most Wanted end, as well as International. BIG mistake CBS, these were two really good, riveting series that I am going to miss.
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G
Bring them back
4
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O
Why they took both off I will never know they were good shows
4
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O
Sorry to see these FBI programs leaving but Most Wanted had a nice wrap up goodbye! Thanks for the stories!!
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G
I didn't always like Remy in this program, but I'll follow Bobby Donnell anywhere. I liked this show and everyone in it except Hana - I saw her as weak in every way. I'm sorry to see this one go.
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O
CBS has 2 awesome shows and they cancel them. Makes no sense unless they're saving money to settle with you know who.
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O
I Loved that show looked forward to seeing it every Tuesday night. My favorite FBI show. The cast was wonderful, and I Love Dylan he is one of my favorite actors. Shame it had to end.
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O
Nina should have been transferred back to her original unit. She has a relationship with one if the main characters in the original and continuing FBI series so keeping her around makes some sense.
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B
I don't think the 2 FBI's should have been cancelled. All 3 were good & I watched all of them! The 3 were my FBI night! I will not watch whatever CBS puts in their place!!!
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C
I may quit watching problem will
2
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O
I think we all have to quit watching when a show is canceled. You’re not very bright are you?
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R
Gave me closure and felt good. With shows were very exciting
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G
It was a great finale. They wrapped it up with a bow!
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P
It was a fitting finale but as CBS continues to cancel shows I actually watch means they are winding me down as a viewer. As any show with life still in it gets the axe (FBI: Most Wanted/FBI: International/Blue Bloods/SWAT) but keep shows like Survivor means I do not start watching ANY NEW SHOWS they might roll out. Why bother - they will only get cancelled.
Major network tv is on its deathbed.
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Looked forward to seeing this show and definitely going to miss it.
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C
It not going to be as good with Dylan gone I may guit watching it
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O
You do realize the show is CANCELED???
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The show was cancelled
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G
FBI International was the only one I could watch. It wasn't full of anti 2A propaganda like the other two.
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C
I think there should have been a 7th and an 8th series, love the team and the show, now I need to find something as good..I loved when Remy would say “To The Taho” I tease my friend she has the exact one..so sorry to see this show end 😞
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O
They shouldn't have canceled FBI Most Wanted. This is by far the best one !
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C
The show was great all the FBIs are..the sad thing is CBS has no clue about what to do with
their shows that were hits.It starts from the top & they remain as clueless as ever.Look forward
to reruns. More proof that legacy media is dead.
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O
Super disappointed the 2 FBI shows were canceled! Loved both of them.
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O
Loved the finale!
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C
Wish they really opened that bar so viewers could go there!
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O
I think they have ruined the series. I have never such vulger language on what used to be a family series . And please lay off the lesbian love scenes, OK? We don’t to see this perverted behavior. I have been a fan of Criminal Minds but, I will never watch another episode!
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G
Better finale than FBI international.
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O
Definitely the best of the 3 FBI series. FBI itself i rank as the lowest because of the character swings but specifically OA being the biggest issue.
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G
Through with FBI!!!
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O
What turned me away from watching the show was the actor that played Remy. Did not care for him at all.
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B
Fabulous ending ... the best FBI show
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O
As finales go, this one was brilliant. This is the way to end a show, not like the thrown together mish-mash of Blue Bloods.
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