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Is Alana de la Garza Leaving FBI?

Alana de la Garza

By Mona KumariPublished 3 months ago 4 min read
Alana de la Garza Leaving FBI

Fans of the CBS show FBI have one big question on their minds. Is Alana de la Garza leaving the show? The answer is no. Alana de la Garza is not leaving FBI. The showrunner Mike Weiss has confirmed that they never considered writing her character off the show.​

You May Also Like: FBI Season 8: Who’s Staying, Who’s Leaving & The Big Surprise!

Couples of 'FBI' CBS drama cast members posing at events

However, people are worried because of what happened in recent episodes. Her character, Special Agent in Charge Isobel Castille, went through a very scary medical emergency that almost killed her.​

What Happened in the FBI Season 7 Finale?

The FBI Season 7 finale aired in May 2025 and left fans shocked. A terrorist group called Forefront broke into the FBI headquarters in New York. The team fought hard and stopped the bad guys. But right when Isobel was giving her victory speech, something terrible happened.​

Isobel suddenly started stumbling over her words. Then she collapsed on the floor. Her teammate Maggie checked on her and could not find a pulse. The screen went black, leaving everyone wondering if Isobel was dead.​

Alana de la Garza talked about the cliffhanger in May 2025. She said fans would have to "tune in to see" what happens next. She called it a "legit cliffhanger" and said it was "unlike anything I've ever played before".​

FBI agents Isobel Castille and colleague in tense scene from FBI season 8

FBI Season 8 Premiere Reveals Isobel's Fate

The FBI Season 8 premiere aired on October 13, 2025. Fans had to wait all summer to find out if Isobel survived. The good news is that Isobel is alive.​

The episode showed that Isobel suffered a brain bleed from the Forefront attack. She needed an emergency craniotomy, which is a type of brain surgery. Her husband Philip, played by Tom Cavanagh, stayed by her side at the hospital.​

Throughout the episode, Jubal Valentine took over as Acting Special Agent in Charge while Isobel was in surgery. The team did not know if she would make it. But at the end of the episode, Isobel woke up and reunited with Jubal. She survived the surgery.​

Why Are People Searching This Question?

People wonder if Alana de la Garza is leaving FBI for several reasons:

The Scary Cliffhanger: Season 7 ended with Isobel collapsing without a pulse. This made many fans think the character was dying or leaving the show.​

Retirement Talk: Earlier in Season 7, Isobel talked about retiring from the FBI. She hit her 20th year with the FBI, which means she could retire with full benefits. This made people wonder if the actress was planning to leave.​

Long Recovery Time: Even though Isobel survived, the showrunner said she will be away from work for a while. She needs time to recover from her brain surgery. Mike Weiss said they are "thrilled to be welcoming her back to 26 Fed, when she's ready".​

The Surprise Death: The Season 8 premiere killed off a different character instead of Isobel. Special Agent Dani Rhodes, played by Emily Alabi, died after being shot during a rescue mission. This death shocked fans who thought Isobel would be the one to die.​

What the Showrunner Says?

Mike Weiss, the FBI showrunner, made it very clear that Alana de la Garza is staying on the show. He said, "We love Alana and her character so much, we never considered writing her off the show".​

Weiss explained why they created the cliffhanger. The writers wanted to see what would happen if Isobel was away from the office for a short time. They asked, "How does the team react when they lose that center of gravity? Who steps in to fill the void?".​

The showrunner also said that Isobel's near-death experience will not change who she is. He called her "the steady heart and soul of the 26 Fed office". Even though she went through something scary, she will still want to lead the FBI team and keep New York safe.​

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Alana de la Garza leaving FBI?

No. The showrunner confirmed that they never thought about writing her off the show. Alana de la Garza will continue playing Isobel Castille on FBI.​

Q: Did Isobel die in the Season 8 premiere?

No. Isobel survived her emergency brain surgery. She woke up at the end of the episode and reunited with Jubal. She is alive and will return to work when she is ready.​

Q: When will Isobel return to work?

The showrunner has not said exactly when Isobel will come back to work. When asked this question, Mike Weiss said, "Again, you'll just have to watch and see!". It will likely take some time for her to fully recover from brain surgery.​

Q: Who died in the FBI Season 8 premiere?

Special Agent Dani Rhodes died in the premiere. She was shot during a rescue mission and collapsed from blood loss. She died with her partner Scola by her side.​

Q: Will Isobel retire from the FBI?

Probably not. Even though Isobel thought about retiring in Season 7, she decided her work is not finished yet. By the end of Episode 17, she toasted "to the chase," showing she wants to keep working.​

What Happens Next?

Isobel will need time to recover from her brain surgery before returning to work. The show will explore how her near-death experience affects her and her marriage to Philip. Mike Weiss said they love working with Tom Cavanagh, but fans will have to "wait and see" how much he appears this season.​

Meanwhile, the team is dealing with the loss of Dani Rhodes. Her death will affect everyone, especially her partner Scola. The show will explore how Scola grieves and moves forward after losing another partner.​

One thing is certain: Alana de la Garza is staying on FBI. Isobel Castille will return to lead the team at 26 Fed when she is ready. Fans can keep watching to see her recovery and return to action.

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About the Creator

Mona Kumari

Professional Writer In Entertainment Industries.

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