It is difficult to let go of some of those characters who have become so entrenched within this landscape, and it is often the case that once they have been removed from the series, it feels as if something is missing. Nonetheless, new colleagues are usually introduced to try and fill those gaps, ensuring that the show continues its momentum. What’s most fascinating is why a persona might leave the show, though. Sometimes it’s because of an organic narrative that’s taking shape, with the only end to the arc resulting in the departure or demise of a key character. But there is also the potential for a cast member to decide to step away on their own terms, and that seems to be what happened with Ebonée Noel, who portrayed Kristen Chazal in the series.
Kristen Chazal Was Written Out Without Explanation
However, despite being such a pivotal part of the show, Chazal was also written out without explanation. In fact, the character disappeared for good after Season 2, Episode 19, “Emotional Rescue,” on March 31st, 2020. The episode in question wasn’t anything out of the ordinary, with the FBI team investigating a rotten drug deal that resulted in the death of a student. However, there was far more at play here, with Chazal clearly still struggling with some of the traumas that she had experienced in prior outings. In fact, the character was seemingly about to make a major decision.
Earlier in the season, Chazal had been stabbed in the neck, specifically in “Ties That Bind.” The character had attempted to protect Maggie Bell from a serial killer, but in the process, was almost murdered herself. The story was left on a cliffhanger, and viewers were relieved to see that she had survived the incident after the mid-season finale, but was still healing from the damage done to her carotid artery. For those who followed the show, it is well-documented that Chazal returned back in action, and made a full recovery. But that isn’t to say that the mental scars of the accident were gone forever.
It Seemed Ebonée Noel Wanted to Step Away
The ending might have seemed abrupt, especially since there was so much more that could have been done with the character, but it seemed as if there was more at play here. It’s rare that characters are written out of a show without a final goodbye, especially if they have been present since the very first episode. What’s perhaps more shocking is that there was an easy narrative to play into. It could have been that Chazal stepped away for good, explaining that she couldn’t take the emotional pressure of going back to a job that almost cost her her life. Yet, none of this was touched upon properly, with a single line utilized to explain away her absence.
It is also important to consider the context of the era, though. FBI was about to shoot another season, just around the pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement. The pandemic created complications for filming, especially because of the dangers associated with that and the lack of information at the time. Schedules were altered, and sets became smaller. There’s a possibility that this could have been a factor. Alternatively, the Black Lives Matter movement saw some performers step away from shows that portrayed law enforcement, which may have also been a contributing factor. But there’s also Noel’s blossoming career to consider. Many actors step away from network television to avoid being typecast. It’s plausible that this was just a necessary change for the star to follow.
FBI Has Seen Many Exits & Many Returns
Because there is no official line on why the character and actor were removed from FBI, it’s hard to know what the future holds. In theory, Noel could return to FBI at some stage, if the behind-the-scenes politics, and perhaps her own personal opinion on the series changes. The fact that it’s unclear as to what obstacle is standing in the way of a return, it’s impossible to say whether the stars can align again. In fact, unlike other performers who have left FBI or had to step away from the spinoff shows due to their cancellations, there has been no public statement about a desire to return to the franchise from Noel.
At some point, the showrunners or the performer herself may wade into this conversation and finally clarify what really happened. While the guesswork, based on the time this all took place, is the only information there is to go on, a statement may shed new light on the situation. Until that time, fans will probably keep hoping for a comeback, to, at the very least, be given a sense of resolution. However, with FBI’s future already in doubt, as ratings stumble, there may not be many more opportunities for the reunion to take place!
