Jess LaCroix has officially left “FBI: Most Wanted”: Julian McMahon, who has starred in the CBS drama for three seasons, died on the job on Tuesday night After playing FBI agent Jess LaCroix since 2020, the Australian actor announced his departure from the show.
Julian’s statement came just as Missy Peregrym, who plays Maggie in the FBI, was reported to be taking a break from the other franchise as well.
Julian’s last appearance was in the eighth episode of Season 3. It was titled Shattered and premiered on March 8th.
Fans of the program will recall that the actor’s character Jess and his girlfriend Sarah, played by Jennifer Landon, were about to embark on a fantasy vacation that would effectively kill them off the show.
Spoiler alert: there is almost no possibility Jess will return from his vacation because they murdered the character before he could even leave.
Why did Julian McMahon leave FBI Most Wanted?
Producers have been tight-lipped regarding Julian’s departure from the show, although the actor has indicated that he would pursue other parts.
The decision came just months after actor Kellan Lutz announced his departure from the program.
“Over the past few months, the producers of FBI: Most Wanted and I have had discussions about my departure from the show in favor of additional creative pursuits and the transition of my character Jess LaCroix,” Julian said in a statement to Deadline.
“These ongoing conversations have given us an opportunity to orchestrate a seamless and productive way for me to leave the show.”
He went on to say: “I would like to express the gratitude and admiration I have had working with [executive producers] Dick Wolf and Peter Jankowski.”
“I’m extremely proud of the work we have done together and put the development of this show, and my character Jess, at the top of my professional experience list.”
Julian’s personality Jess is the head of the FBI’s Most Wanted division, which handles the agency’s most heinous crimes.
The Fugitive Task Force agent, according to Wiki fan material, “explicitly trusts his team and looks out for the younger agents.”
According to the page, LaCroix is often reluctant about his personal life; even his agents understand that it is not a line to cross.
The character has a daughter, Tali, with his late wife Angelyne, who is primarily cared for by his in-laws.
He works alongside his brother-in-law Clinton, whom he regards as “more of a brotherly figure than a subordinate.”
Did Anyone Replace Julian McMahon on FBI: Most Wanted?
One star was unavailable, but another stepped in. Following Julian’s departure from FBI: Most Wanted in March, fans were greeted with the introduction of a new character, performed by the legendary Dylan McDermott.
Dylan departed NBC’s procedural program, Law & Order: SVU, to begin his new role on CBS beginning with the April 12 episode.
“As part of planning Jess’ exit, we had talked about who the new person coming aboard would be,” showrunner David told Variety a few months ago.
“We spent a lot of time in the room imagining how that character may look. We were overjoyed when we learned Dylan was available and perhaps interested.
We were on cloud nine. We truly see it as an opportunity to reinvigorate the program and reinvent it a little bit.
It will always remain a fugitive manhunt program – that’s the bread and butter – but with Dylan coming in and having a different approach, different history, and different way of dealing with the crew, needing to get to know them and vice versa, there’s just a lot of story to play there.”
Final Words
McMahon’s LaCroix first appeared in a 2019 episode of CBS’ flagship series FBI, before moving on to FBI: Most Wanted. Since then, he’s appeared in 43 episodes spread across three seasons.
Jess was shot and died in his last episode by an abusive ex-boyfriend of a woman he was attempting to save. In March 2022, his final program aired.
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