Unlike in FBI season 4, the agent remains level-headed despite the case hitting close to home. Scola helps ensure that the affected planes are safely grounded, even being the one to realize that Anna is actually Verona Da Silva​​​​​​​ and working with Mina Rota. The winter premiere ends when Stuart goes home to Nina and asks her to read his letter from the mayor’s office. In a much-needed moment of closure, he learns that Douglas’ remains have been identified by the New York Genetic Identification Project.

ScreenRant interviews star John Boyd about Scola’s surprising storyline, the relationship between Stuart and Nina, and crossover hopes with Jesse Lee Soffer’s new FBI: International character.

Scola Is A “More Seasoned Agent” In FBI Season 7

“He’s had a partnership. He fell in love. He’s a father. He’s just a more grown-up person.”

ScreenRant: Before reading the script for this episode, did you think that Scola was ever going to get closure about his brother?

The last time there was a case of this nature, Scola had trouble separating it from what happened to his brother. What made him more level-headed this time around?

John Boyd: I think it’s maturity. I think he’s just developed and grown. He’s had a partnership. He fell in love. He’s a father. He’s just a more grown-up person, and he’s a more seasoned agent in the scene where he’s trying to convince Da Silva​​​​​​​ to down the planes, to call it off.

He’s using just a more seasoned agent’s tactical method, which is to identify with her. The old Scola used anger. He was still grieving in a way that he was furious for what had happened to his brother. There’s been more time. You just get a sense that it’s a more grown-up Scola.

Boyd Believes FBI Season 7, Episode 9 Marks A New Chapter For Scola

“I don’t know what’s in store, but I know that it’s really an exciting story for me.”

Scola discovers Anna is Da Silva. Was Jubal questioning his judgment at all?

What about you? Were you worried the case would bring up some feelings Scola couldn’t handle as you were reading the script?

John Boyd: No, because I knew that, at the end, there’s this cathartic reading of this letter. I knew that he was going to find out. It’s basically about a visit from his brother. When we lose someone, and there are no answers, there’s no piece of them, there’s no story, there’s nothing except a giant pile of rubble. And then all of a sudden one day, he shows up in a letter, and you’re too afraid to open it because you don’t know what it’ll mean, what it’ll do to you, and then you do, and there he is.

There’s such a connection. When you’ve lost someone, you feel them so clearly, who they were. I think that’s what that moment is. He gets to connect with who his brother was and what he meant to him in a way that he just hasn’t, because the guy’s saying, “Look at me. I was right there the whole time.”

Now that his brother’s remains have been found and Scola has received closure, what does this mean for him going forward?

Boyd Wanted Nina To Read Scola The Letter Before He Knew It Was In The Script

“I was like, ‘This is so great,’ because she’s such an important part of Scola’s story.”

I love that Nina was the one who read Scola the letter. What were your thoughts on that creative choice?

Are you satisfied with where Scola and Nina are in their relationship?

John Boyd: I think Scola and Nina are in a solid place. I think they’ve gone over the speed bumps of parenthood and agent and risk and how they raise a son together in their jobs. I think they’re ready for a shake-up.

Scola doesn’t have Tiffany anymore, but I love the Scola-Maggie-OA trio. Maggie and OA obviously have their own shorthand, but what do you think Scola adds to that dynamic?

John Boyd: It’s fun. I think Scola is another person who will do anything for the case. Scola has that, “I don’t care about the BS. We’re going to do this.” I think it’s great. It’s fun to have an extra set of hands, like, “No BS.” He is fierce, sort of ferocious. He’s like a dog to the bone. He wants it, he’s going after it. So I think that’s fun. He adds that.

Fans Will Learn More About Scola’s Past In An Upcoming FBI Episode

“It’s really heavy, really dark, and it’s a more mature, seasoned Scola navigating through some serious stuff in his past.”

I was actually thinking how cool it would be to see Scola interact with Jesse Lee Soffer’s new character on FBI: International. Is that something you would want in a potential crossover?

John Boyd: Yeah, of course. Jesse’s obviously an amazing guy. He’s been doing this forever, and that’s such a great show, and they’ve been amazing this season. I’ve watched a bunch of it. It’s so exciting. We’re always open. I love a good crossover. You know me, I’m always down for another global crossover event. Haven’t been to Budapest, you know, but I’m available.

Do you have a favorite upcoming episode that you think will resonate with fans?

John Boyd: Yeah, there’s an episode we’re doing right now. I can’t say too much about it, but we find out that because Scola was a bit wild as a teenager, his parents sent him to a military school upstate. And we find out about some things that happened up there during the case.

It’s a really interesting episode. It’s really heavy, really dark, and it’s a more mature, seasoned Scola navigating through some serious stuff in his past. I can’t wait for the fans to see it. I think it’s going to be pretty powerful.