Meet Isaiah Green, Maggie’s New Partner on ‘FBI’ as OA Goes Undercover
Maggie Bell has a new partner on ‘FBI’ as the CBS drama returns for its ninth season. Isaiah Green, played by Roland Buck III, steps in because Maggie’s usual partner, Omar Adom “OA” Zidan, remains undercover. The shake-up changes the rhythm of the show from the opening hour.
The CBS drama returned on Monday, October 5, at 8/7c, moving up an hour from last season. For longtime viewers, the arrival of Maggie’s new partner on ‘FBI’ marks the first real break from the duo that has anchored the series.
Who Is Isaiah Green, Maggie’s New FBI Partner
Isaiah debuts in the premiere, titled “Rendition,” where CBS teases that Maggie struggles to bond with him. The setup suggests a partnership that begins with friction rather than instant chemistry. That is a familiar procedural device, but it carries extra weight here because Maggie is used to working alongside someone she trusts completely.
There is also a hierarchy question hanging over the character. Isaiah has a relationship with ADIC Lawrence Green, a high ranking figure in the FBI, though the connection was not yet fully clarified before the premiere. TVLine describes him as the nephew of ADIC Lawrence Green.
That family tie could shape how the team receives him. The premiere also reveals that Isaiah was not fully unconscious the entire time and may have heard OA and Maggie talking. Asked by Collider whether the new partner will get nosy, Zeeko Zaki said he definitely does.
Why OA Went Undercover Before the Season Began
The reason Maggie needs a new partner traces back to the previous finale. OA pushed back against ADIC Green’s orders to move on from Anna Vorpe and her team, who took the serum that would have saved a bus full of passengers exposed to a deadly biochemical. He was fired as a result, but it was later revealed to be part of a plan by him, Maggie and Isobel Castille to set him up for Anna to approach him with a spot in her unit.
The separation is total. Zaki said three months have passed since the end of last season, and OA has been undercover and completely disconnected from his team that entire time. That isolation explains why Maggie has been left to adjust on her own.
The creative team also planned this as more than a single episode detour. Showrunner Mike Weiss said the show would shake things up at the top of the season and that viewers would see OA deep undercover in a different way. Zaki added that executive producer Dick Wolf wanted OA to stay undercover for a few more episodes rather than returning right away.
Roland Buck III Joins the Cast of ‘FBI’
Roland Buck III is best known for his work on ‘Chicago Med.’ His casting gives the series a recognizable face from within the broader Dick Wolf television family, and it places him directly opposite Missy Peregrym for the premiere.
His scene partners have been generous in their early comments. In an interview with TV Insider, Zaki called Buck an awesome actor and an awesome guy. That kind of praise suggests the new dynamic is landing well behind the scenes.
The on screen introduction between OA and Isaiah is far less friendly. OA reunites with Maggie in the field and fights her new partner at first, before the two share a much needed hug. Zaki said the actors do not take anything personally during the fight scene.
How the Season Premiere Sets Up the Partnership
The premiere case begins when a young traveler is found shot dead in a state park, and the team discovers she witnessed the execution of a person involved in a top secret government sponsored project. It gives Maggie and Isaiah a high stakes assignment to work through before they have had any time to settle into a routine.
The episode also leans into the wider franchise. CIA actor Necar Zadegan guest stars as Deputy Chief of Station Nikki Reynard. Aaron Ginsburg wrote the episode and Alex Chapple directed it.
The most telling moments may be the quiet ones between Maggie and OA. Maggie forces OA to punch her in the face so she can sell the fact that the mystery team got away, and Zaki calls their connection in those moments incredible. With OA’s mission far from over and Isaiah already paying attention to what passes between them, do you think Maggie can trust her new partner with the truth about OA’s undercover assignment?
