CBS’ FBIfranchise might be in a state of flux, but the network is adding a brand-new series that concerns another government branch with FBI: CIA. Launching back in 2018 with the flagship series, the FBI franchise concerns the agents of the eponymous bureau as they use their detective skills to crack major cases at various branches around the US and even abroad. Created by TV maven Dick Wolf, the series was essentially designed to be spun-off into a multi-series franchise, and it didn’t take long for CBS to launch a handful of successful spinoffs.
Things wereranchise down to only the titular flagship series, and it seemed as if the network was winding down FBI after nearly a decade on the air. However, CBS clearly has other plans for the Dick Wolf creation, and an entirely new spinoff centered on the CIA is currently in the works. FBI‘s CIA spinoff isn’t just an idea that’s being floated, it’s been green-lit and has already earned its spot on the network’s upcoming slate.
The Spinoff Lands Its Lead Actor & Gets A Series Order
Just a few months after it was announced that the spinoff was in the works, the latest news confirms that FBI: CIA has gotten a series order and landed its lead actor. CBS is clearly in a hurry to get things moving because they gave the show a straight-to-series order, and has skipped the typical backdoor pilot phase the most spinoffs go through. Instead, the tentatively titled FBI: CIA will be a part of the network’s 2025-2026 slate. A more specific date remains elusive, but it will likely arrive in the fall and won’t be a midseason addition.
The Latest FBI Spinoff Will Go Straight To Series
Both Wolf and Hudgins also served as writers on the forthcoming episodes, meaning the creative duo’s fingerprints will be all over the debut season.
CBS announced plans for a CIA-themed spinoff to FBI back in January 2025, and they wasted little time in pushing it through the development phase. The show got a straight-to-series order in April of the same year, and it won’t go through a pilot phase like most spinoffs do. Dick Wolf and David Hudgins co-created the series, with the latter serving as showrunner for season 1. Both Wolf and Hudgins also served as writers on the forthcoming episodes, meaning the creative duo’s fingerprints will be all over the debut season.
FBI is renewed through season 9.
This bodes well for FBI: CIA, as Wolf especially has a track record of success with police procedurals. However, the spinoff has big shoes to fill after the surprise cancellation of FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: Internationalin the early weeks of 2025. Instead of becoming the fourth show in the franchise, FBI: CIA now joins the flagship series as the only two programs currently airing. If the spinoff doesn’t take off, it will likely destroy any chance of future spinoffs coming to air on CBS.
The FBI franchise includes:
Tom Ellis Will Headline The CIA Spinoff
Ellis’ co-star hasn’t been cast yet, but the as-yet-unnamed FBI agent is crucial to the show’s success.
Perhaps best known for his turn on Lucifer, Tom Ellis has signed on to lead the upcoming FBI: CIA spinoff. Ellis’ character isn’t named yet, but he is described as a loose-canon CIA agent who works out of the New York branch of the agency. The concept of the program is that he works on cases with a straight-laced FBI agent who believes in following the rules strictly. Ellis’ co-star hasn’t been cast yet, but the as-yet-unnamed FBI agent is crucial to the show’s success. Their odd-couple dynamic will likely be the heart of the series, and chemistry is key.
The FBI & CIA Work Together To Stop Terrorism
Unlike other cop shows which often concern street-level crimes, the FBI franchise sees its agents take on major threats like terrorism on a weekly basis. This trend will continue in FBI: CIA with both agencies working together to stop domestic and foreign threats to the United States. However, from what has been announced about the spinoff, the newest show will also be about the odd-couple dynamic between its two lead characters. Tom Ellis’ CIA agent will be a brash loose canon, while his FBI counterpart is expected to play things by the book.
This will likely be the real heart of the show, as their conflicting methods could drive a wedge between the partners as they each believe their route is the correct one. This relationship will probably be one of tension and not humor, since the FBI franchise isn’t really known for its comedic moments. Whatever FBI: CIAturns out to be, it’s bound to be a hit on CBS, and the network has already struck gold with the Dick Wolf franchise before.
