Why Missy Peregrym Left FBI Twice & What She’s Doing Now
If you’ve watched CBS’s FBI, you’ve likely noticed that Special Agent Maggie Bell has a habit of disappearing at critical moments — and there’s a genuine, human reason behind it. Missy Peregrym, the actress who brings Maggie to life, stepped away from the series twice for maternity leave, returning each time after welcoming a child. This article breaks down exactly why she left, what she’s doing now, and what fans can expect next.
Born: June 16, 1982 ·
Nationality: Canadian ·
Known for: Rookie Blue, FBI ·
Children: 2 ·
Years active: 2002–present ·
Height: 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Quick snapshot
- Currently starring in FBI, with season 7 renewed for 2025 (IMDb)
- No plans for permanent departure reported (IMDb)
- Potential periodic absences for family reasons are possible (IMDb)
Ten key biographical facts, one takeaway: Peregrym has built a steady career by blending major network drama roles with a grounded personal life.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Melissa “Missy” Peregrym (Wikipedia) |
| Date of Birth | June 16, 1982 (IMDb) |
| Age | 42 (as of 2025) |
| Nationality | Canadian (Wikipedia) |
| Occupation | Actress, producer, former model (IMDb) |
| Known For | Rookie Blue, FBI (IMDb) |
| Children | 2 (TVLine) |
| Spouse | Tom Oakley (m. 2014) (Wikipedia) |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $3 million (as of 2024) (Wikipedia) |
Why did Missy Peregrym leave the FBI?
Maternity leave and personal reasons
- Peregrym left FBI twice, both times for maternity leave (ET Online). Her first break came in 2021 after the birth of her son; the second in 2022 after her daughter was born.
- Showrunner Rick Eid explained that the writers worked around her absences by weaving medical leave into the storyline — Maggie suffered nerve damage from sarin gas exposure in season 4 (TheWrap).
Comparison of her two departures
- First leave (2021): Maggie went on an undercover mission, which provided a natural out (ET Online).
- Second leave (2022): The writers used medical reasons to write Maggie out temporarily (TheWrap).
- Both times she returned to full-time status after a few months.
The pattern: each leave was shorter than viewers expected, with the character reactivated quickly after Peregrym returned to set.
What is Missy Peregrym doing now?
Current projects and appearances
- As of 2025, Peregrym continues to star as Special Agent Maggie Bell on FBI, which has been renewed for a seventh season (IMDb).
- She returned to the series in November 2022 for the episode “Ready or Not” (ET Online).
Recent interviews and public events
- In early 2023, Peregrym told ET Online that she felt supported by the FBI team during her leave and was excited to return to work (ET Online).
- She also shared on social media the birth of her daughter Mela in June 2022 (TVLine).
This arrangement reflects a growing industry acceptance of family leave for lead actors.
How many children does Missy Peregrym have?
Her children with Tom Oakley
- She and husband Tom Oakley (married 2014) have two children: a son born in 2020 and a daughter born June 6, 2022 (TVLine).
Balancing motherhood and acting
- Peregrym has been open about the challenges of parenting while filming a network drama. She said that the production team built her leave into the schedule so she could be present for her children’s early months (ET Online).
Peregrym’s choice to step back twice risks audience frustration with Maggie’s sudden absences, but it also signals a shift in how TV productions accommodate working parents — a concrete change for an industry that long expected actors to put career before family.
As long as the show’s writers can weave these absences into the plot, the arrangement remains manageable for both star and network.
Was Missy Peregrym a real gymnast?
Gymnastics background for Stick It
- In the 2006 film Stick It, Peregrym played rebellious gymnast Haley Graham. She had no professional gymnastics training before the role and trained intensively for months to perform some of her own stunts (Wikipedia).
Training and experience
- Director Jessica Bendinger required the cast to undergo gymnastic training; Peregrym’s athletic build and background in soccer helped her pick up routines quickly.
Her ability to adapt to demanding roles has been a consistent career asset.
Who is replacing Maggie on FBI?
Temporary replacements during absences
- No permanent replacement was cast. During Peregrym’s leaves, supporting characters like Special Agent Stuart Scola (Jay Harrington) or guest agents filled the gap (TheWrap).
- The show has consistently brought Maggie back as the lead female agent, indicating the role remains Peregrym’s.
Recurring characters filling in
- In season 4, episodes without Maggie focused more on OA (Zeeko Zaki) and collaboration with other agencies. The show avoided recasting entirely.
This approach ensures continuity while respecting the actress’s family needs.
Timeline: Missy Peregrym’s career and key life events
- June 16, 1982 – Born in Montreal, Quebec (Wikipedia)
- 2002–2004 – Began modeling and landed first acting roles (IMDb)
- 2006 – Starred in Stick It as Haley Graham (IMDb)
- 2010–2015 – Played Officer Andy McNally on Rookie Blue (Wikipedia)
- 2018 – Joined CBS drama FBI as Special Agent Maggie Bell (Wikipedia)
- 2020 – Welcomed first child, a son
- 2021 – First maternity leave from FBI (season 3, episodes 3–4) (ET Online)
- June 6, 2022 – Second child, a daughter (TVLine)
- 2022 – Second maternity leave from FBI (Deadline)
- November 2022 – Returned to FBI in episode “Ready or Not” (ET Online)
- 2023 – Returned to full-time FBI schedule (ET Online)
- 2024 – Continued starring; season 7 renewal confirmed (IMDb)
Confirmed facts
- Missy Peregrym left FBI twice for maternity leave (2021, 2022). (ET Online)
- She was born on June 16, 1982 in Montreal. (Wikipedia)
- She has two children with husband Tom Oakley. (TVLine)
- She played a gymnast in Stick It but was not a real gymnast. (Wikipedia)
- She returned to FBI after each maternity leave. (ET Online)
What’s unclear
- Exact future plans for Maggie Bell beyond season 7.
- Whether Peregrym will take additional breaks in upcoming seasons.
- Her net worth is estimated but not officially disclosed. (Wikipedia)
- Whether the show’s writers will continue using medical explanations for future absences.
- The exact timing of her return to set after each leave (some dates are approximate).
“Balancing motherhood with a demanding TV schedule is challenging, but I’m grateful to return to a show that supports family,” Peregrym told ET Online (entertainment news).
Missy Peregrym
Showrunner Rick Eid explained to TheWrap (entertainment news) that the decision to write Maggie’s absence as nerve damage allowed the show to keep the character alive while giving Peregrym the time she needed.
Rick Eid, showrunner
For a deeper look into her early life and career trajectory, check out Missy Peregryms biography and FBI career.
Frequently asked questions
Is Missy Peregrym returning to FBI in 2025?
Yes, she continues to play Maggie Bell in FBI, which was renewed for season 7 airing in 2025 (IMDb).
How old is Missy Peregrym?
She was born June 16, 1982, making her 42 years old as of 2025 (Wikipedia).
Who is Missy Peregrym’s husband?
She is married to actor Tom Oakley since 2014 (Wikipedia).
What is Missy Peregrym’s net worth?
Her net worth is estimated at around $3 million as of 2024, though she has not publicly confirmed this figure (Wikipedia).
Does Missy Peregrym have a gymnastics background?
No, she was not a professional gymnast. She trained extensively for her role in Stick It (2006) (Wikipedia).
What other TV shows has Missy Peregrym been in?
She is best known for Rookie Blue (2010–2015) and FBI (2018–present), with guest roles in Heroes, Reaper, and Hawaii Five-0 (IMDb).
Why is Missy Peregrym not in some FBI episodes?
She took time off for maternity leave in 2021 and 2022. Her absences were written into the show as undercover missions or medical leave (ET Online).
What is Missy Peregrym’s height?
She is 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) tall.
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