Jeremy Sisto Previews the FBI Season 7 Finale: ‘Different Than Anything We’ve Done’ [Interview]

Jubal Valentine is put to the test on FBI Season 7 Episode 22, “A New Day,” an episode that actor Jeremy Sisto says is unlike anything the show has done before. The season finale storyline is also an idea that the writers have had for quite some time now. 

I recently had the chance to chat with Sisto, who plays Jubal, about what to expect from the FBI Season 7 finale and the evolution of his character over the course of the series so far.

Sisto noted that in addition to the reconciliation with his wife this season, Season 7 has also revisited some ongoing challenges for Jubal.

“We got to revisit the challenges he has always, and will always come up against, which is his past and the times that he made poor choices because of his addiction,” Sisto said.  “So there was some of that, but ultimately it crescendoed into [the finale], which is the biggest test of all — not just for him but for the entire team.”

“It is an idea that has been knocked around, I think, since very early on in the show,” he explained.  “In 26 Fed, there is a whole bunch of agents, and analysts, and representatives from other organizations that all have great access to this mechanism they use to prevent crimes. And what would happen if there were a couple of those trusted employees — part of the team — that went dark, had nefarious notions, anti-government notions? And so that’s what happened. It finally came into fruition.”

“Mike Weiss, our showrunner, told me a bit about the idea a few months back, but it was in the process of pushing it up the hill,” Sisto said. “In order to get a storyline approved, you have to go through a bunch of different [people] — the network, the studio — it’s a lot.”

In fact, Sisto said they’ll often find out things from the wardrobe department, which is what happened in this case.

“Us actors, we kind of hear first from wardrobe — they’re like, ‘Oh, did you know that you’re going to have to be wearing this in that episode?’ And so then the rumors start bubbling around. And we’re like, ‘Wow, when are we going to get a hold of this script?'”

Sisto said the episode begins with Jubal visiting a secret FBI office, meeting with an employee who has “some possible intel on something bad from within.”

“And that’s when the office gets attacked, and Jubal escapes. But then he’s found by someone who has legit FBI credentials — and she tries to kill him,” Sisto explained. “So from that point on, it only gets worse. This attack by this group is planned, it’s well-formulated, and they get pretty far along with the plan.”

“You really get to see how Isobel operates in some pretty hardcore ways,” he said. “She makes some surprising and badass moves in the episode. The analysts get involved in ways you wouldn’t expect, and they’re working from a place of weakness — trying to rise from the ashes and hold on for their existence.”

“I think what’s fun about the show is, it’s watching this team of people, but also this mechanism that is truly how the FBI works. And it’s all about access. Access to all the different departments, all the different expertise, and databases of all the different departments. And then also the technology — and all that access is gone. So we are operating fully analog, which, especially for Jubal and the analysts, is very much out of our comfort zone.”

“It’s like a movie. And Alex [Chapple], our director, had a field day with all the interesting locations and making it all sing,” he added. “And it was really fun to shoot.”

“It’s different than anything we’ve done yet. And I think it’s a great time to check it out, even if you haven’t ever seen the show,” Sisto said. “It’s gonna be a fun ride. And it’s going to be followed by the series finales of our two spinoff shows, which is heartbreaking, but yeah. A good chance to give them a little love on the way out.”

Sisto also spoke to the evolution of his character and how, even when things are tough, Jubal will always have to be reliable when it comes to his job at the FBI. 

“He has been through a lot, but he has been fairly consistent in his ability to show up for his job. That’s the main part of the show. And you know, once you’re incapable of operating at a high level, the FBI is not going to have you anymore.”

“Of course, there was a time in the past where Jubal was able to somehow get by, even though he should not have been able to be acting as an agent. He was somehow able to slip by during those periods. But when we come into our story, he’s high up in his game,” Sisto said.

“But emotionally, he’s gone through a lot. He’s kind of arrived at a point when he’s been sober long enough to give himself the opportunity to try to be in another relationship — which ends in the death of his girlfriend. His core is tested when his son gets cancer, and he has to find the strength to deal with that and be there for his son and his ex-wife. In helping his son survive those years and regain his strength — very difficult years for parents — he’s trying to do something and feel helpless.”

“So we see him fight through that. And so he’s gaining strength. He’s gaining resilience,” Sisto continued. “He’s gaining more proof that he can survive without [drinking]. We’ve seen him slip and start drinking again because of the pressures of what’s going on with his son. And [then] to have to get back up on that horse and find stability and self-forgiveness. It’s been a long journey for him, but at the end of the day, the things he provides this team — and the way he does his job — has remained impressive.”

Of course, Jubal was tested a few times this season, from asking for a favor on behalf of his son to the situation with his long-time informant.

“These agents are meant to be almost superheroes — not ever letting their human needs affect the job they’re hired to do. And it’s just not the case, you know? So when something personal, something challenging, like that comes up, there’s a very serious consideration process that goes into deciding whether or not he’s going to ask for that favor or go along with his informant’s demands,” Sisto said.

“But he’s also fully accepted his past. He’s come to terms with it. He’s been open and honest about it. And the bureau has agreed to forgive him and rely on him again — to trust him. He takes that seriously.” 

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The FBI Season 7 finale airs tonight, May 20th, at 8/7c on CBS. 

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