The wait for FBI season 8’s return finally ended on February 23, 2026, and the show delivered an episode that was equal parts high-stakes action and personal celebration. Episode 11, titled “Confetti,” brought back a familiar face—Shantel VanSanten as Special Agent Nina Chase—and gave fans the moment they had been hoping to see for a long time: the wedding of Nina and Stuart Scola.
But the road to “I do” was anything but smooth. The episode threw Nina and Scola into a dangerous undercover mission involving cartels and double-crosses, forcing both agents to confront the realities of their dangerous jobs and what it means for their family. Now that they are officially married, many viewers are asking a big question: Will Nina quit the FBI? Here is everything that happened in the emotional and action-packed episode and what it means for the couple’s future.
A Dangerous Undercover Operation Brings Nina Back to New York
FBI season 8 episode 11 marked the first time viewers have seen Nina Chase since FBI: Most Wanted was canceled in 2025. She returned to the NYO field office while working a tricky undercover assignment. Nina was trying to get close to Luka Simovic, the son of a crime boss, in a case that involved drugs and a major cartel wedding .
Things took a turn when the deal she was brokering got interrupted. The team discovered that the weapon Luka was trying to buy was actually a wedding gift for his brother. The situation was bigger than anyone expected, involving a union between two powerful crime families. Nina and Maggie Bell went undercover together at the cartel wedding, wearing formal gowns and high heels—a far cry from Nina’s usual style of jeans and cowboy boots .
Shantel VanSanten later shared that filming those scenes came with unique challenges. She and Missy Peregrym had to perform stunts while wearing dresses and six-inch heels. “Missy and I were laughing at each other trying to do stunts in 6-inch heels and dresses,” VanSanten said in an interview. “We’re wearing undergarments, like Spanx shorts, and we’re tucking things in because we’ve got to kick somebody. I learned a lot about doing stunts in formal wear” .
The mission turned extremely dangerous when the cartel wedding became a trap. The real person in charge, Alicia Ortega, started shooting everyone at the ceremony. Luka tried to save himself by revealing that Nina was FBI. Nina and Maggie barely escaped, leading to a tense shootout. At one point, Nina found herself face-to-face with Alicia and nearly got shot—but Scola arrived just in time and fired the shot that saved her life .
Scola and Nina Finally Tie the Knot in a Courthouse Ceremony
The intense case reminded both Nina and Scola about the dangers they face every day. It also made them think about what truly matters. After the mission was over, Nina was ready to ask Scola the big question. But he beat her to it.
Scola surprised Nina with a ring that he had been hiding for six months. The couple, who already share a young son named Dougie, decided they did not want to wait any longer. They headed to a courthouse for a simple, heartfelt ceremony with their FBI team and their son watching them say their vows .
For fans who have followed their journey since Nina was a regular on FBI before moving to FBI: Most Wanted, this moment was a long time coming. The couple had been through separations, dangerous cases, and the challenges of raising a child while both parents worked in law enforcement.
Is Nina Leaving the FBI After Marrying Scola?
Now that Scola and Nina are married, a natural question arises: Will Nina leave the FBI to focus on her family? Based on what happened in “Confetti” and what Shantel VanSanten has shared, the answer seems to be no—at least for now.
The episode actually addressed the couple’s approach to balancing work and family. They have an agreement that when one parent has a major case, the other steps back to make sure Dougie always has one parent at home. Working the cartel case together was difficult for Scola because he rarely gets to see Nina in action anymore. It reminded him of the risks she takes, but it also showed him how capable she is .
Far from wanting Nina to quit, the case and their teamwork actually brought them closer together. VanSanten explained that Nina’s return in this episode was designed to show her as a fully capable agent who can handle anything. The actress also hinted that this might not be the last time viewers see Nina on FBI. Now that she is married to Scola, there is even more reason for her to appear in future episodes, whether for personal moments or to help with cases .
Fixing a Loose End from FBI: Most Wanted’s Finale
For longtime viewers of the franchise, Nina’s wedding in “Confetti” did more than just celebrate a couple’s love. It also quietly fixed a problem from the FBI: Most Wanted series finale.
When FBI: Most Wanted ended in 2025, most of the main characters received clear, satisfying send-offs. Remy retired and passed the torch to Barnes. Hana got a happy ending with Ethan moving in with her. Ray was starting a new chapter with Cora and their baby. But Nina’s ending felt rushed and incomplete. She reconciled with her father, but compared to the others, her storyline did not get the attention it deserved .
“Confetti” fixed that by giving Nina a proper, meaningful moment. Her wedding to Scola is the kind of milestone that the FBI: Most Wanted finale should have given her. It brings closure to her story in the spin-off while opening up new possibilities on the mothership series. As one Italian entertainment outlet noted, “What the spin-off had not given to Nina—an important farewell, a recognizable milestone, a conclusion that truly sounded ‘definitive’—is now compensated in the parent product” .
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What’s Next for Scola and Nina on FBI
FBI season 8 episode 11 made it clear that Nina is not going anywhere—at least not permanently. While she is technically a guest star now, her marriage to Scola keeps her connected to the main cast in a deeper way.
The episode also showed that Nina works well with the team, especially Maggie. Their partnership in “Confetti” was something fans had rarely seen before, and it highlighted how strong both agents are. VanSanten mentioned that she is ready to return whenever the show calls, and she keeps herself physically prepared for the action scenes the role requires .
For John Boyd’s Scola, being a married man adds a new layer to his character. He has always been dedicated to his job, but now he has even more to lose. The show has not shied away from putting its characters in dangerous situations—Isobel nearly died at the end of season 7, and Dani Rhodes was killed off earlier in season 8. Having a stable, happy relationship for Scola could actually make future episodes more tense because viewers know how much is at stake.
FBI airs Mondays at 9/8c on CBS. New episodes are available for streaming on Paramount+. For viewers in the UK, Canada, and Australia, streaming availability varies by platform, but the show typically becomes available shortly after the US broadcast on local networks or Paramount+ international versions. Indian viewers can catch the show on JioCinema and Voot as part of their CBS content library.
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