Zeeko Zaki (FBI): “Being raised after 9/11 shaped a lot of me!”

Zeeko Zaki is the first colead on an American on a network series who identifies as an Arab-American and an FBI agent. A pioneering role that Dick Wolf offered him in the hit show : FBI who is airing on CBS it’s second season. The actor elaborates on this non-typecast mission. “The concept of being an Arab American FBI agent was something that I was nervous about playing until I met a few Arab-American FBI agents and I realized that it is a normal reality. This bureau is very diverse. And by meeting them I realized that our task is simple: it is to open up the eyes of the viewers and how much they sacrifice in the hard work that goes into solving theses cases and keeping America, New-York and the world safe!”

Zeeko was born in Alexandria, Egypt and grew up outside Philadelphia and 11 years old when 9/11 happened with all the consequences that did affect his upbringing as an arab-american. “Being raised after 9/11, I think it’s shaped a lot of me. I experienced a combination of summers in Egypt and the school years in Pennsylvania outside of Philadelphia was the only experience I had until I left for College and bounces around the country. I grew up in a great town and the people were all very kind and be close to Philadelphia, New-York and Washington D.C. keeps you a very aware sort of territory. So it was nice to have a safe bubble and to learn about theses things from a safe distance. When I left I realize how safe that bubble was and that the reality was a lot different and scarier. I now I have a position to use my voice to help the people that couldn’t change the narrative.”

Being already ins season 2, the viewers and fans already wonders if Maggie (Missy Peregrym) and Omar will end up together at one point. “I’m new to the FBI and she is a senior member. She just lost her husband so as a character I’d been given some time. But eventually I don’t know if we’re going to play into that…who knows?”