FBI is back for its ninth season, and the stakes have never been higher for Special Agent Omar Adom “OA” Zidan. After the jaw-dropping Season 8 finale saw OA fired for refusing to cover up a bioweapon theft, he's now deep undercover, infiltrating a rogue strike team led by the shadowy Anna Vorpe. It's a storyline that flips the script on everything fans thought they knew about the show—and Zeeko Zaki, who plays OA, says the worst is still to come.
In a recent interview, Zaki opened up about the challenges of playing OA in this new, morally murky territory. “Anytime we get to do something a little different, a little new, I get nothing but excited,” he said. But this isn't just a new case—it's a personal crisis. OA is forced to work alongside people who are literally getting away with murder, all while trying to hold onto his own moral compass. Zaki admits it's a delicate balance: “It’s fun to play and to trust the writers to make sure that I’m not turning a blind eye to truly evil things, which we kind of are.”
The psychological toll is a big part of the story. Zaki notes that OA is used to dealing with death and darkness on the job, but this time it's different. “We deal with it on a normal basis and it doesn’t affect us emotionally because that’s the job, but this one does affect him,” he explained. The actor is clearly relishing the chance to explore a more vulnerable side of his character, even if it means OA might not come out of this unscathed.
One of the most talked-about moments of the premiere was the tense reunion between OA and his former partner Maggie, played by Missy Peregrym. The scene, which ends with Maggie holding a gun to OA's head, was as intense to film as it was to watch. Zaki laughed about Peregrym's nervousness: “She was all nervous and like, ‘I don’t want to hurt your head.’ I was like, ‘Give it to me. These are big moments, so we need to make it real.’”
But the drama doesn't end there. Maggie's new partner, Isaiah Green, might have overheard more than he should have during that encounter, and Zaki hints that Isaiah will start asking questions. “He definitely gets a little nosy,” Zaki teased, adding that OA and Maggie's loyalty to each other remains unshakable—even if it complicates things.
When asked about the possibility of a romance between OA and Maggie, Zaki was characteristically diplomatic. He acknowledged the deep bond they share, but stopped short of confirming any romantic future. For now, their connection is rooted in trust and shared history, which is exactly what makes their dynamic so compelling.
As for what's next, Zaki promises more twists and turns. “The worst is yet to come,” he said, hinting that OA's undercover mission will push him to his limits. Fans should brace themselves for a season that's as emotionally draining as it is action-packed.
For more on the latest in TV drama, check out our ranking of Ryan Murphy's monster seasons or see how Anthony Mackie's Captain America survives Secret Wars. And if you're a fan of spy thrillers, you might want to avoid our list of the worst spy TV shows ever.
FBI airs Tuesdays on CBS, and with each episode, the line between right and wrong gets blurrier. Zaki's performance is a masterclass in moral ambiguity, and fans won't want to miss a second of it.
