Warning: SPOILERS ahead for FBI: Most Wanted season 5, episode 4!
FBI: Most Wanted star Roxy Sternberg has shared her reaction to the latest episode's Charlotte bombshell, revealing how real it felt to read the script. Sternberg portrays Sheryll Barnes, a Special Agent on the Fugitive Task Force married to lawyer Charlotte Gaines (Fedna Jacquet), with whom she has two children. However, season 5, episode 4 revealed that Charlotte had met someone else, leading to a major rift in their relationship.
Speaking with Screen Rant, Sternberg revealed her reaction to Charlotte's FBI: Most Wanted season 5 twist. She explained how she tried to get in contact with showrunner David Hudgins about the development, feeling emotional turmoil because of how surprising it was to read in the script. Check out what Sternberg had to say below:
I didn't see it coming at all. They usually give us a full warning when we've got a script coming up, and it's heavy character stuff. "This next one's a big one for Barnes," or whatever. I didn't get any forewarning that, "This next one's going to be your family." No one told me that. I just read the script. I was pleasantly surprised and happy. I love my family stuff. So I was like, "Oh, okay, cool. That's great. We have a little fight at the beginning. We do that all the time. That's fine. We know how to get through that." Then I got to the end, and I cried. I thought, "Why would they do that?"
I was in denial that it was happening, and I messaged Fedna [Jacquet], who plays my wife, and sent her a screenshot of the last line. She sent me all these crying emojis. And then I tried to get ahold of [our showrunner] David Hudgins, but we couldn't speak. He's in L.A. I needed to change this. Why is this happening? I felt very out of control, which I think Barnes feels as well. This curveball has just landed on her, and she can't do anything to change it. It's already happened. Likewise, I've just been handed the script, and it's been written.
Obviously, things can change, but it's going to be an interesting one to play, this challenge in their relationship. I'm excited about that, but very sad. When I spoke to David, I was like, "What's happening? What's in their future?" He explained to me, "I think it'd be great to have a little bit of adversity in this marriage," and I agree with him, but I'm sad still. I felt really sad. I agree that the audience likes to watch that, we like to play that. Life is not easy-breezy all the time. Relationships aren't. I think it's a really interesting one to play, and an even more interesting one to watch.
Where Does Sheryll & Charlotte’s Relationship Go From Here?
The start of the episode set the stage for the couple's relationship to take a turn, with the Special Agent missing their anniversary because of her job. There appears to be a deeper disconnect between the pair now than ever before, especially evident after Charlotte's confession. By showcasing the duo's relationship issues, the show sets up a season that will involve a heavy amount of emotional turmoil Sheryll will be going through.
Charlotte meeting someone else also reveals just how deeply disconnected the pair have been, even if Sheryll didn't notice because of her dedication to her work. It's unclear if the pair will try to reconnect for the sake of their children, or if they decide to separate for good. No matter what they decide to do, though, it's clear their love for one another is broken, and it will take time for that to be repaired.
Given that season 5 has fewer episodes than usual, it may not be until FBI: Most Wanted season 6 that this new revelation for Sheryll's family gets resolved. It's possible this development becomes a key factor in how she performs at work, perhaps even questioning her role on the team despite a decade of experience. With more developments yet to come, it remains unclear how – or if – the pair will be able to fix their marriage.
