Dylan McDermott signs on as the new lead actor for CBS’ FBI: Most Wanted

The changing of the guard at CBS’ FBI: Most Wanted has come full circle, with Dylan McDermott now coming aboard as the show’s new lead.

Julian McMahon, who has played Special Agent Jess LaCroix since the show debuted in 2020, announced on Sunday that he was leaving the show.

While no details were given for the character McDermott is playing, Deadline reports he’ll make his debut on the show in April. 

New lead: The changing of the guard at CBS’ FBI: Most Wanted has come full circle, with Dylan McDermott now coming aboard as the show’s new lead

Leaving: Julian McMahon, who has played Special Agent Jess LaCroix since the show debuted in 2020, announced on Sunday that he was leaving the show

McMahon will film his final episode of FBI: Most Wanted this week, which will be slated to air on Tuesday, March 8.

McDermott will make his debut in this current third season’s 17th episode in April, though no specific air date was given yet.

He’ll transition to the CBS series just as his arc on NBC’s Law & Order: Organized Crime, which, like FBI: Most Wanted, is also executive produced by Dick Wolf. 

Final episode: McMahon will film his final episode of FBI: Most Wanted this week, which will be slated to air on Tuesday, March 8

Arc: He’ll transition to the CBS series just as his arc on NBC’s Law & Order: Organized Crime, which, like FBI: Most Wanted, is also executive produced by Dick Wolf

McDermott signed on as a series regular for a one-season deal in the first season of Law & Order: Organized Crime, which debuted in the spring of 2021.

He portrayed Richard Wheatley, a businessman with ties to the mafia who served ass the nemesis of Christopher Meloni’s Elliot Stabler.

While it was initially supposed to be a one-season deal, he was so well-received by fans that Wolf and NBC approached him for a unique Season 2 deal.

He ultimately committed to an eight-episode recurring arc in Season 2, which is reportedly one of the most lucrative guest-starring deals in network television.

There is no indication yet as to how LaCroix will be written off the show, though the character is going through a tough time with his daughter Tali (YaYa Gosselin) leaving for boarding school in Canada.  

‘We are saddened to see Julian leave. His portrayal of agent Jess LaCroix has been a key factor in the success of FBI: Most Wanted. We will miss him and we wish him the best in his next chapter,’ said executive producer Dick Wolf in a statement.

Arc: He ultimately committed to an eight-episode recurring arc in Season 2, which is reportedly one of the most lucrative guest-starring deals in network television

Written off: There is no indication yet as to how LaCroix will be written off the show, though the character is going through a tough time with his daughter Tali (YaYa Gosselin) leaving for boarding school in Canada

McMahon’s LaCroix debuted in a 2020 episode of CBS’ flagship series FBI, which served as a back-door pilot for FBI: Most Wanted.

The show airs on Tuesday nights as part of CBS’ FBI lineup that also includes FBI: International.

McMahon has previously starred in Runaways, Hunters and his breakthrough role in FX’s Nip/Tuck, while McDermott also recently starred in the movie King Arthur.

Backdoor: McMahon’s LaCroix debuted in a 2020 episode of CBS’ flagship series FBI, which served as a back-door pilot for FBI: Most Wanted

Recent roles: McMahon has previously starred in Runaways, Hunters and his breakthrough role in FX’s Nip/Tuck, while McDermott also recently starred in the movie King Arthur