The Secret to FBI’s Success: Characters That Feel Like Family

When it comes to crime procedurals, success doesn’t just come from action-packed cases or shocking twists. What truly pulls viewers in is the bond they feel with the characters. In FBI, that bond is stronger than in any other Dick Wolf series. Over the seasons, the agents have become more than just familiar faces on screen — they feel like family. Fans cheer for their victories, fear for their safety, and root for them to thrive both at work and in life.

From the beginning, FBI built this connection carefully. Special Agents Maggie Bell (Missy Peregrym) and Omar Adom “OA” Zidan (Zeeko Zaki), alongside Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jubal Valentine (Jeremy Sisto), set the tone in Season 1. Season 2 expanded the team with Isobel Castille (Alana de la Garza) and Stuart Scola (John Boyd). Years later, this core group remains intact, working seamlessly together like a well-oiled machine. That stability makes viewers feel like they’re part of a team, not just watching one.

Storylines That Hit Close to Home

Part of what makes FBI stand out is its ability to weave personal struggles into the high-stakes cases. Viewers don’t just watch the action — they live through the characters’ emotional journeys.

Take Maggie, for example. In Season 1, she lost her husband in a tragic accident. Fans didn’t just hear about her grief; they witnessed it. They felt her heartbreak every time she looked at his picture. Six seasons later, her journey through loss makes her resilience inspiring and her chances at finding love again even more rewarding.

Jubal’s story is just as powerful. When his son Tyler was diagnosed with leukemia in Season 3, audiences weren’t just passive observers. They shared his fear, his hope, and his determination to see Tyler survive. These emotional layers make FBI more than just a crime drama — it’s a story about people fighting battles both on the job and at home.

Why Other Procedurals Struggle to Match FBI

While FBI has perfected character continuity, its sister shows haven’t fared as well. Over on FBI: International, constant cast changes have created a revolving door effect. By Season 4, only two of the original four characters remain. Heida Reed’s Jamie Kellett left in Season 3’s premiere, while Luke Kleintank’s Scott Forrester departed later that same season. With such rapid turnover, fans struggle to connect. Why invest in a character if they vanish within months?

The problem isn’t unique to FBI: International. Chicago Med faces a similar issue. Now in Season 10, only three original cast members remain: Sharon Goodwin (S. Epatha Merkerson), Daniel Charles (Oliver Platt), and Maggie Lockwood (Marlyne Barrett). The rest of the founding team exited by Season 8, leaving viewers detached. A show can bring in new talent, but without a stable core, the sense of family disappears.

What FBI Gets Right

FBI proves that viewers want more than just weekly mysteries. They crave characters they can count on, stories that unfold over years, and a team that feels like it’s grown together. While new faces can refresh a show, the magic comes when those faces join an already strong foundation. That way, both the team and the audience adjust naturally, creating lasting bonds.

Other procedurals could learn from FBI’s approach. It’s not just about drama or danger — it’s about keeping the characters that fans have grown to love. The suspense hits harder when it’s a character the audience has followed for years whose life is at risk. That emotional investment is what keeps fans coming back week after week.