While FBI: International launched the careers and profiles of several actors, few cast members experienced a rise quite like Eva-Jane Willis.

When she joined the series in Season 2, she faced a difficult challenge: replacing a well-liked character while winning over an already established audience.

What happened next surprised everyone.

The Character Who Was Never Supposed to Be a Fan Favorite

Willis arrived as Europol liaison Megan “Smitty” Garretson, stepping into a role previously occupied by Katrin Jaeger.

Many viewers initially wondered whether any replacement could succeed.

Instead of copying what came before, Smitty quickly developed her own identity.

She was witty.

Sharp.

Unpredictable.

And sometimes completely chaotic.

Before long, she became one of the most entertaining characters on the show.

From Supporting Player to Essential Team Member

At first, Smitty functioned primarily as the team’s connection to European law enforcement agencies.

But over time, the writers expanded her role considerably.

She wasn’t simply providing information.

She was helping solve cases, taking operational risks, and becoming deeply integrated into the Fly Team’s day-to-day life.

By the final season, many fans viewed her as every bit as important as the FBI agents themselves.

Fans Connected With Her Imperfections

One reason Smitty resonated with audiences was her humanity.

Unlike many procedural-drama characters who seem almost flawless, Smitty frequently made mistakes.

She carried emotional baggage.

She struggled with personal issues.

And she often relied on humor to hide deeper vulnerabilities.

That realism helped make her one of the most relatable figures in the series.

The Final Season Suggested Bigger Plans

Season 4 appeared to be setting up major developments for Smitty.

With Scott Forrester gone and Wes Mitchell arriving as team leader, her role as an experienced bridge between different eras of the Fly Team became increasingly important.

Many viewers believed future seasons would explore her personal life and professional ambitions in much greater detail.

Then the cancellation arrived.

A Career Beyond FBI: International

Since the end of the series, interest in Eva-Jane Willis has continued to grow.

The actress earned praise throughout the show’s run for bringing energy and charisma to Smitty, helping transform what could have been a routine supporting role into one of the franchise’s standout characters.

Industry observers frequently point to her performance as one of the strongest additions made during the later seasons of the show.

The Character Fans Miss Most

Interestingly, many fan polls and online discussions place Smitty among the most missed characters from the final lineup.

Part of that comes from her unique position.

She wasn’t the official leader.

She wasn’t the newest recruit.

She wasn’t the veteran agent.

She was something else entirely:

The person who held the group together.

Why Her Story Still Matters

Looking back, Smitty represents one of the clearest examples of unrealized potential in FBI: International.

Her story wasn’t finished.

Her relationships weren’t fully explored.

And her future remained wide open.

That’s why fans continue discussing her long after the series ended.

Not because she received a dramatic farewell.

But because she never got one.

And for many viewers, that’s the hardest goodbye of all.