What happened to Forrester on FBI: International? (Luke Kleintank exit explained)

It’s true, Forrester is no longer part of the FBI: International team and we’ve seen the last of the Fly Team’s leader, at least for the time being.

From the start, Luke Kleintank’s agent Scott Forrester was not only a key member of the cast, but was the face of FBI: International as the lead of the third spinoff of CBS’s hit FBI franchise. Forrester oversaw the elite team of agents as they navigated the web of red tape that comes from working international crime cases abroad involving US citizens.

Given he was the lead the not only the show, but also the Fly Team, fans never expected that they’d bid farewell to Forrester as early in the show’s run. Sadly, though, Forrester has left the show.

“Jealous Mistress” – The Fly Team heads to Vienna to find the culprit of an acid attack on a rising American prima ballerina. Also, Smitty receives some troubling intel from a familiar face, on the CBS Original series FBI: INTERNATIONAL, Tuesday, April 11 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+. Pictured (L-R): Mido Hamada as Constable Yannick Wagner, Luke Kleintank as Special Agent Scott Forrester, and Vinessa Vidotto as /

Here’s how FBI: International wrote Forrester off

Luke Kleintank’s final episode of FBI: International was episode 11 of season 3, which aired on May 7, 2024. However, it wasn’t until the season 3 finale that we learned exactly what had come of Forrester and the answer wasn’t exactly what fans hoped it would be.

In the season’s penultimate episode, we learned that Forrester had gone missing and they later discovered that his mom – a double agent who has been forced into hiding – had gotten a message to Forrester telling him where she was and how to find her.

The season 3 finale then revealed that Forrester had tracked down his mom and they had both disappeared somewhere in Alaska. The Fly Team eventually figured out where Forrester and his mom were, but Brian Lange, the NSA’s liaison to the FBI, orders the file disclosing their location to be destroyed in order to prevent Forrester and his mom from being found.

This storyline effectively has made it hard for the show to bring Forrester back as a member of the Fly Team given he’s helping a wanted futive and has gone into hiding alongside her.

"Chicago Med" Photocall - 61st Monte Carlo TV Festival / Arnold Jerocki/GettyImages

Why did Luke Kleintank leave FBI: International?

The decision to write Forrester out of FBI: International was a direct result of Luke Kleintank’s decision to leave the series in order to focus on his family.

“After much thought and consideration, I’ve made the difficult decision to leave FBI: International,” the actor said in a statement released via Deadline. “This decision is driven by my unwavering commitment to my family, whose love and well-being are paramount in my life. I’m profoundly thankful for the extraordinary cast and crew of the show, who have not only been colleagues but also a family away from home. Their unwavering dedication and remarkable talents have made every moment on set an unforgettable journey that has enriched my life in countless ways. Lastly, I would also like to extend my thanks to the fans who have supported us through the first three seasons.”

Kleintank’s decision to leave the show resulted in the writers having to come up with a way to explain his character’s absence without much time to flesh out the exit storyline – thus why the exit likely unfolded off-screen.

Unlike its sister series FBI and FBI: Most Wanted which film stateside, FBI: International films overseas in a number of international locations which is what ultimately factored into his decision to leave the series.

“A Leader, Not a Tourist” – The Fly Team is introduced to Supervisory Special Agent Wesley “Wes” Mitchell (new series regular Jesse Lee Soffer) when his partner is shot in Los Angeles and the suspects flee to Budapest, sending Mitchell overseas, on the fourth season premiere of FBI: INTERNATIONAL, Tuesday, Oct. 15 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on-demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on-demand for Paramount+ Essential /

Jesse Lee Soffer is replacing Luke Kleintank

Following Luke Kleintank’s exit in season 3, the writers at first brought in Chicago Med alum Colin Donnell to temporarily fill in as the leader of the Fly Team and fans were excited about the idea of him taking over as the show’s new lead. However, his 2-episode appearance in the final two episodes of season 3 proved to just be a guest stint as the show tapped Chicago PD alum Jesse Lee Soffer to take over for Kleintank.

Soffer plays Supervisory Special Agent Wesley “Wes” Mitchell, who was introduced in the season 4 premiere who happens to have a history in law enforcement hacing worked at the LAPD before coming to the FBI.

As FBI: International showrunner Matt Olmstead told TV Insider ahead of the season 4 premiere, “Mitchell is a former LAPD officer, so he has a little more edge and drive than your usual buttoned-up agent. He’s a no-holds-barred kind of guy and he brings an exciting new energy to the team.” Which includes some unconventional tactics. Soffer has called his character “a breath of fresh air and a lot of fun.”

This marks Soffer’s first series regular role following ten seasons playing Detective Jay Halstead on NBC’s Chicago PD.

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