Spoiler Warning: FBI: Most WantedAfter Jess LaCroix, head of the FBI: Most Wanted task force, was killed off the series he spearheaded for three seasons, fans are left wondering what's next for the third installment of the police procedural television drama. Created by Emmy Award winner Dick Wolf and his production team from the Law & Order franchise, FBI: Most Wanted is geared primarily towards depicting the day-to-day operations of the Fugitive Task Force, relentlessly capturing the most vicious and notorious criminals on the Bureau of Intelligence's Most Wanted list.

Back in January, Julian McMahon announced that he was indeed leaving the show, releasing a statement that mentions his meeting with producers in the months prior were constructed “in favor of additional creative pursuits.”

In McMahon's final episode, "Shattered," we see Jess LaCroix (McMahon) unexpectedly shot while shielding a woman from her abusive boyfriend. As Jess's family and team members struggle with the fallout from his death, everyone is grieving as they look to what the future looks like without their former boss, both personally and professionally. As it relates to production, it has since been confirmed that actor Dylan McDermott will replace Julian McMahon in the show's lead role.

McDermott has already started filming with the rest of the cast, and his first appearance is in episode 17, "Covenant," which is scheduled to air Wednesday, April 12, 2022. For now, fans are still left with a ton of questions about how the show will function without the presence of LaCroix. So, let's analyze how FBI: Most Wanted will navigate the next leg of its current season under different leadership.

Dylan McDermott Has Big Shoes to Fill

Cast
NBC Universal 

As an actor, Dylan McDermott has played in various accomplished shows and films. From his role as lawyer Bobby Donnell in the legal drama series The Practice to the highly intelligent and sophisticated villain Richard Wheatley in Law & Order Organized Crime, McDermott has the experience and diversity in his approach to tackling dynamic roles in a fascinating way. Can he balance the series out as the next lead of FBI: Most Wanted?

As of now, we have limited knowledge of the specific character that McDermott will play. We know that his character of Richard Wheatley on Law & Order Organized Crime (still in the Dick Wolf universe) will be nothing like his character in the upcoming series.

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Obviously, his character will be more refined than some of his previous roles (no American Horror Story Ben Harmon, sorry, everyone). Julian McMahon has been so perfect as the series lead anchor, grounding his collective team members whenever things become too chaotic onscreen. He's the glue that keeps everyone together, has a solid relationship with his team's family members, in addition to McMahon being a highly skilled actor, well beyond the FBI universe. As a fan, it's difficult to manage which route the show will take without their already established lead, who's literally still the face of the franchise, as personal and professional backstory expanded significantly throughout the three past seasons.

Can The Team Hold Onto Their Family Atmosphere Without Jess?

Cast
NBC Universal

In episode fifteen, "Incel," we see a distraught and quite frankly torn apart team as they collectively deal with the emotional and mental effects of the death of Jess. The group visits Jess's father (Terry O'Quinn) and girlfriend and helps Sarah (Jennifer Landon) paint their house, a task that she and Jess were preparing to complete together. We obviously see a series of emotions abruptly shift within each of the characters. Hanna (Keisha Castle-Hughes), an intricate member of the task force, is having the most difficult time out of the rest of her fellow colleagues. As she lashes out in isolated moments of the episode, it's apparent through the unusual behavior that she's not doing well with Jess being gone.

Besides work, every one of the members of the task force has had a significant relationship with Jess. He's been able to give his group advice both inside as well as outside the office. Viewing how they attempt to move forward is going to be heart-breaking yet intricate to watch.

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What's inevitable is the fan divide that has already emerged with this slow shift in leadership. While there are many fans who have vocally come out to say they probably would never support FBI: Most Wanted again, after the departure of McMahon (which is understandable), the show has maintained consistent viewership in the week's ratings without a team leader. Let's face it, the show will probably never be the same without Jess LaCroix, but after becoming invested in a television program for such an extended amount of time, shouldn't it be worth giving the new round of episodes a shot?