FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International are off the case.
CBS’ popular FBI franchise spawned two spinoffs after the flagship series first debuted in September 2018. The first, FBI: Most Wanted, premiered in January 2020, and FBI: International followed in September 2021.
Both FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International were among the top 10 most-watched network primetime TV shows for the 2024-2025 season. Still, in March 2025, it was announced that the Dick Wolf dramas would not be returning in the fall.
When it launched, Julian McMahon, Roxy Sternberg, Kellan Lutz and Keisha Castle-Hughes were part of the FBI: Most Wanted cast. Following McMahon’s exit in season 3, Dylan McDermott took over as the series’ lead.
In March 2022, McDermott told PEOPLE that signing on for FBI: Most Wanted was “an easy yes.” Now, three years later, McDermott is saying goodbye too.
So why did FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International get canceled? Here’s everything to know about the spinoffs coming to an end and the future of the franchise.
Why were FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International canceled?
FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International were canceled after their sixth and fourth seasons, respectively. When the initial announcement was made in March 2025, no reason was given, but two months later, more details came to light.
In the end, FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International were canceled because of finances. According to Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment, the network had “to be fiscally responsible” when choosing which projects to renew.
“Ultimately those deals and the shows just weren’t penciling out for us for an economic perspective,” she said in May 2025, per Deadline. “It’s never easy to end shows, and we had a lot of options this year.”
Reisenbach continued, “We always have to look at all of our shows, look at the aggregate information. The creative, where they are in their life cycle, what the finances look like, what the ratings are — and we make those tough decisions.”
CBS also canceled The Equalizer starring Queen Latifah after season 5. Additionally, it didn’t renew S.W.A.T. following season 8, which featured Shemar Moore and was chopped once before.
What have the casts of FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International said about the cancellations?
Following the announcement of FBI: International‘s cancellation, series star Eva-Jane Willis told PEOPLE in a statement that although she was “sad” the show ended, she was grateful for the opportunity.
Willis also shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, writing, “There are no words. So many fantastic friendships on screen and off. So many countries. So many adventures. Loved every minute. Thank you to all the people who worked their asses off and made this possible. Legends
Vinessa Vidotto, who portrayed special agent Cameron Vo on International, echoed a similar sentiment. The actress reflected with a behind-the-scenes photo on Instagram. “Thank you for watching our show and being invested … I needed this chapter, I’m filled with gratitude. And now it’s time to graduate and grow, again,” she captioned it.
Edwin Hodge, who played special agent Ray Cannon on Most Wanted, posted his own series of pictures from set. “All good things must come to an end. I’m filled with so much abundance and appreciation for this prodigious cast and crew,” he penned.
Most Wanted‘s Castle-Hughes shared a snap as she said goodbye to her character, Hana Gibson. In her Instagram post, she also thanked Wolf Entertainment, CBS and the FBI franchise “for the journey.”
Is the original FBI show still on the air?
FBI‘s season 7 finale aired on May 20, but the flagship series will be back in the fall for season 8.
In April 2024, FBI was renewed for three more seasons, taking it through its tenth installment.
When it returns, FBI will be moving from its Tuesday time slot to Monday nights.
Will there be another FBI spinoff?
Yes, another FBI spinoff, titled CIA, is in development and will premiere in the fall.
The new show takes place in the same world as FBI, but will follow a “fast-talking, rule-breaking loose-cannon” agent, played by Tom Ellis (Lucifer, Tell Me Lies).
According to the synopsis, Ellis’ character will be paired with a “by-the-book” partner, a “seasoned and smart FBI agent who believes in the rule of the law.”
“When this odd couple are assigned to work out of CIA’s New York Station, they must learn to work together to investigate cases and criminals posing threats on U.S. soil,” the description continues. “Finding that their differences may actually be their strength.”
FBI and CIA will air back-to-back on Monday nights, starting at 9 p.m. E.T. on CBS.
