Shantel VanSanten, the actress who played Special Agent Nina Chase on the popular series FBI, has recently joined the cast of its spin-off show, FBI: Most Wanted. In an exclusive interview, she revealed how she felt about this transition, the difference between the two shows, and the evolution of her character.
A Surprise Twist for Nina Chase aka Shantel VanSanten
VanSanten’s journey from FBI to FBI: Most Wanted began during the filming of the Season 5 finale of FBI. She said that she learned about her character’s move while shooting the last episode. She recalled, “I found out during the Season 5 finale episode [of FBI]. It was my 15th episode of being on FBI with the crossovers. I found out that I was going to have complications with the baby. My first question was, ‘Is the baby going to live?’ We already went through the crossover episode where Nina got shot: ‘Was I going to live? Now there are more complications. What’s happening? Why?’”
She added that the original plan for her character was to lose her baby, Dougie, due to pregnancy complications. However, the creative team behind the series decided to change the storyline and let Nina have a healthy baby boy. This also paved the way for Nina’s seamless transition to FBI: Most Wanted, where she joined the Fugitive Task Force led by Remy Scott, played by Dylan McDermott.
“Rick [Eid], the showrunner on FBI, said, ‘Well, we think Dougie isn’t going to make it.’ I remember John [Boyd], who plays Scola, and I feeling like we got punched in the gut. The next thing you know, they were like, ‘Hold that. It might change.’ Then it changed and we found out why. ‘We want to offer you to go to Most Wanted,’ which is in the same building [as FBI]. FBI: Most Wanted showrunner David Hudgins said, ‘We don’t want her to start a new job here and losing a child like that would be a hard place to start from.’ So we got to keep the baby and I got to have a brand new, amazing, exhilarating, intense job,” she explained.
A Different Approach to Crime-Solving
Shantel VanSanten also shared her thoughts on the difference between FBI and FBI: Most Wanted, both in terms of the format and the tone of the shows. She said that FBI: Most Wanted is more character-driven and focuses on the personal lives of the agents, while FBI is more procedural and case-oriented. She also said that FBI: Most Wanted has a darker and grittier vibe, as it deals with the most dangerous and elusive criminals in the country.
“FBI: Most Wanted is a little bit more character-based. You get to see more of the personal lives of the agents and how they balance their work and their home life. FBI is more of a procedural show, where you follow the case from start to finish. FBI: Most Wanted is also a little bit darker and grittier, because we’re dealing with the worst of the worst. We’re chasing down the most wanted fugitives in the nation, and sometimes in the world. It’s a different kind of intensity and adrenaline,” she said.
She also praised her co-stars and the crew of FBI: Most Wanted, saying that they have been very welcoming and supportive of her. She said that she felt like she was joining a family, and that she had a lot of fun working with them.
“I feel so lucky and grateful to be a part of this show. Everyone has been so kind and generous and helpful. They made me feel like I was part of the family right away. It’s been such a joy to work with them. They’re all so talented and professional and passionate about what they do. We have a lot of fun on set, but we also take our work very seriously. It’s a great balance,” she said.
A New Challenge for Nina Chase
Shantel VanSanten also talked about how her character, Nina Chase, has evolved and grown since moving to FBI: Most Wanted. She said that Nina is facing a new challenge, as she has to juggle her demanding job as a fugitive hunter with her role as a single mother. She also said that Nina is learning to trust and bond with her new team, especially with Remy Scott, who has a complicated history with her.
“Nina is in a very different place now. She’s a new mom, and she’s also a new member of the Fugitive Task Force. She has to balance her work and her personal life, which is not easy. She’s also trying to fit in with her new team, who have been working together for a long time. She has to prove herself and earn their respect. She also has to deal with Remy Scott, who is her boss and her ex-lover. They have a lot of history and chemistry, but they also have a lot of issues. It’s a very complex and dynamic relationship,” she said.
Shantel VanSanten also teased that Nina will face some challenges and surprises in the upcoming episodes of FBI: Most Wanted, and that fans can expect to see more of her backstory and personality. She said that she is excited to explore Nina’s character and to see where her journey will take her.
“I think Nina is a very strong and smart and brave woman, but she also has her flaws and vulnerabilities. She’s not perfect, and she makes mistakes. She’s human, and that’s what makes her interesting and relatable. I think fans will get to see more of who she is and where she came from in the next episodes. There will be some twists and turns and some surprises along the way. I’m very curious and excited to see what happens next for Nina,” she said.
FBI: Most Wanted airs on Tuesdays at 10/9c on CBS. Don’t miss the thrilling adventures of Nina Chase and the Fugitive Task Force as they hunt down the most wanted criminals in the country.
