The Night Agent came back to Netflix with a bang this week, but besides a brief cameo at the end, I couldn’t help but wonder where the hell Fola Evans-Akingbola’s character Chelsea Arrington was.

Chelsea was first introduced in season one as the ambitious secret service agent who was leading the protection detail for the vice president’s daughter. Though the success of the first season was undoubtedly down to the combined work of the team, Fola’s portrayal of Chelsea – a secret service agent working to make a name for herself in a male-dominated field – had me positively hooked.

I thought her character development would continue into season two, but we learned that she had been reassigned to the campaign security of shady Governor Richard Hagan.

Why wasn’t Fola Evans-Akingbola in Night Agent season two?

The Night Agent season two saw Gabriel Basso return as the main character with Luciane Buchanan’s as Rose Larkin and new cast members including Amanda Warren, Michael Malarkey, and Brittany Snow. One notable absence was Fola Evans-Akingbola – and Hong Chau, but we’ll save that rant for later.

Speaking to Deadline about the decision not to bring Chelsea Arrington back into the fold, the show’s creator Shawn Ryan explained that he doesn’t view TV like other directors and producers.

“I don’t view this the way that a lot of TV shows operate in that I think characters come and go and then come back to the show, depending on what the storyline for that season is,” he told the publication. “An example I would give you is that we really love the character of Chelsea in season one, who was played by Fola Evans-Akingbola.”

Recalling the phone conversation he had with Fola, during which she was more than understanding, Shawn noted it would have been forced to include her and would have meant sacrificing other plot details and characters.

He said: “It really pained me to have to call her between seasons one and two, and say, ‘Hey, the writers had been working for a few weeks, and we’re gravitating towards stories that I don’t think we have a role for you in.

“The story has just taken us here, and I’m so sorry, but we love you, and if there’s a chance to get you back on the show at some point, I would love to do it.’ She was wonderful about it.”

Now on to what you really want to know –  will Fola Evans-Akingbola be in The Night Agent season three?

“As we got towards the end [of season two] we found this opportunity to have this little cameo for her that will serve as a platform. And I will tell you, she will be part of season three,” he revealed.

We are yet to hear about Fola’s role in the third season, but I’ve got a suspicion it will be a bigger role than in season one.