A US drama has axed a brand new lead star weeks before their debut episode, leading to anger from fans.
The move has raised eyebrows among viewers of long-running CBS procedural FBI, with many questioning the intention behind the decision to drop Lisette Olivera after announcing her as a series regular.
This latest development arrives one year after FBI: Most Wanted fans threatened to boycott the series after the unceremonious firing of lead star Alexa Davalos.
It’s unknown why exactly Olivera got the chop from the Dick Wolf-produced series, especially considering she was lined up to become the fixed new partner for lead character Stuart Scola (John Boyd).
Scola has been in need of a partner since the departure of Tiffany Wallace Katherine (Rebee Kane) in the season seven premiere.
The search was thought to be over with the arrival of Olivera’s Syd Ortiz, who will be introduced in a future episode, but The Independent can confirm this is no longer the case.
A source told Deadline that the decision stemmed from a belief that the 25-year-old was “miscast” in the role of a seasoned FBI Special Agent – a role designed to be played by somebody older.
However, viewers of the show have called this “unfair” as producers would have known Olivera was too young ahead of her casting.
“I am so confused by this,” one fan wrote, with another stating: “The Dick Wolf curse rears its ugly head once more.” One fan added: “WHY BRING HER IN THE FIRST PLACE – THEY KNEW HOW OLD SHE WAS???”
An additional fan wrote on X/Twitter: “Apparently she reads too young… why didn’t we get this figured out before they gave her the role…”
The Independent has contacted Universal Television and Olivera for comment. Olivera previously starred in National Treasure: Edge of History, the Disney+ series based on the National Treasure films.
When Davalos was dropped from FBI: Most Wanted, fans were mainly frustrated due to the fact there had been no hint the character would be leaving before she did.
Davalos’s departure was lamented by “gutted” and “heartbroken” viewers, who urged Wolf to rethink his decision as “there was no reason to cut this character with no warning”.
