Interview Global News - Zeeko Zaki

The chemistry between you and Missy is apparent, right from the beginning.
Offscreen, Missy and I became great friends, and it was so nice to have 18 days to bring it to screen. After I watched [the pilot], even I wanted to know more about these characters! [Laughs] I couldn’t wish for a better partner.

This is my first lead, and of course she’s come from a long line of shows and leading roles, so it was nice to check myself off of where she’s at. If I got in my head about something, she would know exactly what to say to bring me back down to earth. I’m grateful to you, Missy, if you’re reading this!

It’s almost the biggest dream possible. I never dared to dream this big. I’m trying to stay grounded and focused.

 

Obviously FBI deals with serious topics, but in the down moments of emotional personal stories, there’s a softness. Does the series continue in this vein?
For sure. I came into this role very stern and serious, but that’ll kill you, walking around with that weight. When I met the FBI agents, I realized that is their job. They have to separate from it, or it’ll get dangerous. When I met them, they were bubbly, outgoing, laughing, smiling. It’s the job, so you have to put boundaries on yourself and leave things at work. When nothing crazy is happening in the world, it’s a 9-to-5. They go home on the weekends. When something is going on, they’re there until it’s over.

How deeply do we delve into Omar’s character?
I’m not totally sure yet, but in Dick Wolf’s world, you get tidbits and treats. It’s a little spoon, not a ladle of character development. It keeps it exciting, and makes each bit that much more valuable. It also lends itself to the longevity of his shows.

There has to be — has to be — the potential for romance between yours and Missy’s character.
[Laughs] We’re definitely moving into a friendship… sort-of team situation. [Laughs] I don’t know. In my life, Missy has become a big sister to me, so I’m like “No, please, anything but that!” Romance is gonna happen, hopefully with other people for now. [Laughs]

 

The reason this show is different from any other procedural cop show — Law & Order, the Chicago shows — is that the FBI does different cases. There is a hard line between what the FBI does and what the cops do. There’s this cliché scene that happens in nearly every police-oriented show, where an FBI agent shows up at the scene of a crime and says, “It’s ours now. We’ll take it from here.” [Laughs] That never happens on our show.

 

It’s interesting that prime time TV hasn’t really tackled this upper level of crimefighting before.
It’s crazy because we’re at a time where everybody knows everything, and everybody has access to everything. Knowledge is power now. There’s a reputation being created about the FBI — it’s not fair, it’s not right, what these people do to sacrifice our safety… it’s definitely time to get a good dog in this fight for them.

 

Source : Global News