Shocking Season 5 Twist: ‘FBI: Most Wanted’ Shakes Things Up – Why Did They Drop Alexa Davalos?

Alexa Davalos as Special Agent Kristin Gaines. Mark Schäfer/CBS

Alexa Davalos, 41, who portrays Special Agent Kristin Gaines on the CBS drama The FBI: Most Wanted, will not be reprising her role in season 5, as per Deadline's report on Tuesday, August 8. The actress received the news of her departure from a producer on set, shortly after completing her final scene for season 4 several months ago.

Davalos was taken by surprise when the news broke, but according to Deadline, the conversation and her departure were described as "amicable."

Fans may be surprised by her exit, as her character's departure was not hinted at in the season 4 finale, which aired in May. Instead, the episode centered around the efforts of the FBI Fugitive Task Force to apprehend the true perpetrator responsible for the death of Supervisory Special Agent Remy Scott's (Dylan McDermott) brother many years ago.

Davalos, who joined the cast in season 3, is not the first major departure from the show. Kellan Lutz, who portrayed Kenny Crosby, announced his exit in September 2021 after two seasons, paving the way for Davalos' role. Julian McMahon, who played team lead Jess LaCroix for almost three seasons, departed from the series in March 2022.

Mark Schäfer/CBS

McMahon left two months ago, and now it has been confirmed that Miguel Gomez is also leaving. Gomez, who is 37 years old, portrayed Ivan Ortiz in seasons 2 and 3, but was not present during the season 3 finale.

If viewers are curious about how Agent Gaines, played by Davalos, will be written out of the show, they will have to wait until the strikes by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) are over.

FBI: Most Wanted, which was renewed for its fifth season in 2022, faced a temporary setback during the WGA strike in May. The Writers Guild of America East picketed near the show's season 4 filming location, causing a brief halt in production. However, filming later resumed and the season was successfully completed.

The ongoing battle between SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) has further contributed to production delays. This strike, which commenced in July, was triggered by the failure to reach an agreement regarding higher wages and streaming residuals for actors, along with other labor disputes. As per the SAG-AFTRA strike guidelines, union members are forbidden from working on affected projects and promoting any past, present, or future films or shows until the strike concludes.

Struck work encompasses all projects related to the studios, streaming services, and primary broadcast networks affiliated with AMPTP. AMPTP stands for the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which includes prominent studios like Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros., as well as the four leading TV networks: ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox.