Season 6, episode 11 of CBS’ FBI unveils new secrets about the past, exemplifying that there are

plenty of stories still to be explored for its veteran characters. “No One Left Behind” expands on

OA’s time in the army and reveals that he was once a prisoner of war. Although he’s spent years

processing the traumatic experience, OA struggles to be honest with Gemma about what he’s been through.

Zeeko Zaki enjoys diving into his character’s personal storylines and was honored by the opportunity to represent those who have been through similar situations. Zaki feels that the background information further justifies his character’s intensity throughout the series and allows him to showcase his vulnerable side. The actor is excited to learn more about OA, hoping to examine his family life and onscreen relationships.

Zaki chats with Screen Rant about OA’s time as a prisoner of war, his future with Gemma, and potential storylines following FBI’s three-season renewal.

OA’s Struggle Shows “It’s Okay To Be Vulnerable”

Zeeko Zaki: For me, it comes back to the energy on the set and the crew and the machine as a whole. Our show really brings that energy onto the screen, and I feel like the audience feels it. As a lead of the show, it’s just so nice to see and feel everybody involved getting the validation for all of their hard work.

Episode 11 brings up a lot of grief for OA. What were your initial thoughts on this storyline?

Zeeko Zaki: I love when we get to go into our personal storyline, because we get to learn about the characters in real time and learn about our past as each script lands. We learn in this episode that I was a prisoner of war for 22 days. It really just reminds me of the real people that have really experienced these things that we’re representing.

Getting the opportunity and the chance to represent those people and to tell those stories, because, again, we end up in millions of homes—getting to feel like you’re speaking for people that have really dealt with these things and giving that exposure is an honor.

How was learned all this new information about OA’s army days and rehashing everything he’s been through?

Zeeko Zaki: I enjoyed it a lot. I think, for me, it justifies the intensity of OA as a character. He’s a very intense guy and serious guy at moments. So it was nice to see that there’s a valid reason for that. The things he’s seen and the things he’s been through have really hardened him. It’s nice, again, to show that no matter what you’ve been through, it’s okay to be vulnerable. It’s okay to open up, and it’s okay to share your past and to speak on the difficulties that you’ve experienced.