Nina’s Most Surprising Character Change In FBI Season 8 Return Explained By Shantel VanSanten

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When Nina returned to the FBI franchise, it brought some exciting developments for her character, and actress Shantel VanSanten welcomed the opportunity. Almost a year after FBI: Most Wanted was unexpectedly cancelled, Nina—Scola’s girlfriend—reappeared with a new assignment. While working undercover, the operation hit a snag, but she received assistance from her old colleagues at the New York field office.

The latest episode of FBI, titled “Confetti,” offered a moment of joy for fans of the series. Following dramatic events – Isobel’s life-threatening situation last season and the shocking death of Dani Rhodes at the start of this season – Nina and Scola had a heartwarming courthouse wedding surrounded by friends and colleagues. However, before the celebration, a tense shootout occurred involving returning character VanSanten and Maggie, played by Missy Peregrym.

During a conversation with ScreenRant’s Tatiana Hullender about the eighth season of FBI, specifically the episode featuring Scola and Nina’s wedding, Shantel VanSanten described the challenging mafia fight scene that took place before the ceremony in “Confetti.” After her first attempt to go undercover with the mafia failed, she teamed up with Maggie for a second try. This led to a physical fight where VanSanten and co-star Jeremy Peregrym had to perform stunts while wearing heels and formal gowns. You can find her complete statement below.

Wow, this week’s episode was intense for Nina! As a fan, I’m just wondering, is she always ready to jump into a full-on mafia shootout while wearing heels? Or did she have to do any special training or prep for all that action?

Shantel VanSanten: As one always is, of course. I’m always prepared for a mafia shootout!

When I was more actively involved with the show, Rick Eid was the writer. Now, Mike Weiss is handling the writing. I really enjoyed reading the script – it was a surprisingly unique episode and something I never imagined I’d be a part of.

My friend Missy and I were joking around, trying to perform stunts while wearing high heels and dresses. We were making sure everything stayed in place with shapewear, like Spanx, because we had to practice kicking. It was a new experience for me to do stunts in formal wear – my character, Nina, usually wears jeans and cowboy boots, so it was definitely different! I learned a lot about how to move in dresses and heels, which isn’t my usual image of her at all.

I faced a few difficulties, but I enjoy staying fit and physically prepared. You never know when an opportunity in Hollywood might come along, and it’s good to be ready for anything.

Kellie Shaefer (VanSanten) first appeared on the TV show FBI before joining FBI: Most Wanted as a key member of the team that hunts fugitives. Even after she moved to the new show, the FBI franchise—created by Dick Wolf—has allowed viewers to see her character maintain a relationship with a character on the original FBI through occasional appearances on both shows. However, most scenes showing her interacting with her former FBI team were removed.

Even from the start, Maggie and Nina didn’t share many scenes working cases together, mainly due to how the show initially paired up its FBI agents. The producers could have easily teamed them with other partners, but it was a good decision to create a storyline that allowed them to work together. While the recent undercover mission – which required them to wear dresses and heels – was difficult, as Katee Sackhoff mentioned, it really showcased Maggie and Nina’s skills as agents, proving they can handle intense situations even with limited mobility.

With Nina back on FBI after FBI: Most Wanted ended, fans are wondering if we’ll see her in future episodes. Her marriage to Scola gives the show a personal reason to bring her back. But the exciting possibility of Nina working with Maggie gives FBI even more reason to include her in investigations.

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2026-02-24 06:08