While fans are still reeling from the cancelation of FBI: International, removing it from CBS’ slate can make room for a better version of the series. It’s unfortunate to think that there will be no FBI: International season 5 as both International and Most Wanted join the list of canceled CBS shows this season. Considering the network also just announced the third (and likely final) cancelation of S.W.A.T. while having canceled the extremely popular Blue Bloods prior to the FBI announcement, it’s getting to the point that getting axed by CBS could almost be taken as a compliment.
But while many might not be happy about the network’s decision, particularly when it only gives the writers limited time to wrap things up before the finale, the network’s previous announcement that a new FBI spinoff is currently in development could be great news for FBI: International fans. Not only could the next show improve on the franchise’s formula, but it may present an opportunity to bring back some of FBI: International’s cast as well.
FBI: CIA Spinoff Explained After International & Most Wanted’s Cancelation
The New Series Will Spin Off Directly From The Flagship FBI
Announced more than a month prior to CBS’ cancelation of FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International, the oddly titled FBI: CIA will involve the two named agencies cooperating together to prevent acts of domestic terrorism. There are reportedly two main characters, one hailing from each agency and backed by a team that make up part of a larger anti-terrorist task force. Their work will be done largely in the shadows when possible, with most of FBI: CIA’s story set in New York City.
CBS has chosen the flagship FBI series to host the backdoor pilot for FBI: CIA. Reportedly set to air in the spring of 2025, the pilot will debut three new characters from the spinoff working with the main FBI team. Although it could be argued that the new series is unnecessary when Most Wanted’s Fugitive Task Force occasionally combats domestic terrorism already, what makes the new FBI spinoff truly interesting is how it might resemble FBI: International. And in some ways, FBI: CIA could even outshine its predecessors.
How FBI: CIA Can Be Better Than FBI: International
The CIA’s Presence Can Add More Intrigue To The Show
After four seasons of investment, many fans are understandably upset about losing out on character arcs, such as whether FBI: International’s Wes and Vo romance will ever become more than simply an imagined possibility. But while the new spinoff will have plenty of time to make viewers fall in love with its own new characters, FBI: CIA benefits from a new premise completely unique to the franchise. The show’s covert task force will have to operate more stealthily than other series’ teams, giving the show a hefty dose of spy intrigue.
The series could easily hop the globe just as much as FBI: International, employing stealth in other countries while having to collaborate with boots on the ground in Manhattan simultaneously.
What makes FBI: CIA particularly compelling is that the show’s focus on domestic terrorism won’t necessarily have to ground the team completely in New York. Because of their role in gathering foreign intelligence, the CIA’s involvement suggests that many of these terrorists likely won’t be homegrown. The series could easily hop the globe just as much as FBI: International, employing stealth in other countries while having to collaborate with boots on the ground in Manhattan simultaneously. This could lead to some excitingly complex investigations that FBI: International doesn’t justify quite as easily.
Can FBI: CIA Bring Back Some Of The Fly Team’s Members After International Ends?
International’s Best Feature Sets Up A Prime Excuse For Their Return
Even FBI’s OA actor Zeeko Zaki has said he’d like to see characters from the canceled spinoffs continue to show up in the franchise, and FBI: CIA paves the cleanest route to bring back everyone’s favorite characters from FBI: International. If the series does make use of the CIA’s international operations by having them investigate their domestic terrorists’ ties to foreign cells, then there’s no reason to think they couldn’t use an occasional helping hand from the Fly Team. In fact, the CIA already needed the Fly Team’s help as recently as FBI: International season 4, episode 14.
There are still questions about which characters from FBI: International could return. The fate of Jesse Lee Soffer’s Wes Mitchell might be safe now that Zaleski appears neutralized, and the CIA’s shown they have no qualms about playing dirty when they told Wes to simply avoid getting caught next time. The CIA also works with Europol in real life, allowing for the return of Smitty or Jaeger. But as for whether FBI: CIA actually intends to bring back these or other fan favorites, only time will tell.
