Introduction
If you love tense procedural dramas, rugged characters, and inter-agency tension, there’s something new coming your way: FBI: CIA (or simply CIA), a spinoff from the FBI universe on CBS. With big names, intriguing storylines, and a fresh premise, this show is shaping up to be more than just another crime procedural. Let’s dive into what we know so far—cast, story, production details, and what makes this one stand out.
What is FBI: CIA? The Premise & Context
The Basic Premise
The show pairs two unlikely partners:
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A fast-talking, rule-breaking CIA case officer (Tom Ellis)
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A by-the-book, seasoned FBI agent who holds the rule of law above all else
They’ll operate out of the CIA’s New York Station, tackling threats on U.S. soil—particularly domestic terrorism. Their styles will clash, their methods will differ, and the tension will be part of the appeal.
Why It’s Happening Now
CBS recently cancelled two FBI spinoffs—FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International—making room for a new direction in the franchise. FBI: CIA aims to fill that gap, bringing freshness while staying tethered to what fans love about the FBI universe.
Shift From Backdoor Pilot to Straight-to-Series
Originally, FBI: CIA was intended to be introduced via a planted or “backdoor” pilot within FBI. However, that plan changed: the series is now a straight-to-series order—meaning it skips the pilot testing stage.
Key Players & Cast
Tom Ellis as the CIA Case Officer
The biggest name so far is Tom Ellis, best known for Lucifer. He’ll play the loose-cannon CIA agent, charismatic and willing to push boundaries. He’s the kind of character who breaks rules—for better or worse.
Other Cast Members
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Natalee Linez has been cast in a CIA role.
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Nick Gehlfuss is announced as the FBI agent — the straight-laced partner.
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Michael Michele also joins in an unspecified role.
Behind the Scenes
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Showrunner: David Hudgins.
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Executive Producers: Dick Wolf, Nicole Perlman, Peter Jankowski, David Chasteen, and Hudgins himself.
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Directing: First episode will be directed by Eriq La Salle, known for work on Chicago P.D. and Law & Order among others.
When It Will Air & Scheduling
Season & Time Slot
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The show is set for the 2025-2026 broadcast season on CBS.
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Originally planned for fall, but later moved to midseason.
Network Strategy
With FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International cancelled, CIA is intended to be one of the mainstays in the “FBI universe,” alongside the original FBI. CBS hopes the spinoff will carry forward the procedural strengths and audience base of the franchise.
Story Beats & What to Expect
Domestic Threats & Terrorism
The core cases will center around threats affecting the U.S., especially domestic terrorism. As opposed to the international scope of FBI: International, this focuses on the homeland.
Clashing Styles = Conflict & Growth
The show will rely heavily on the tension between the two leads: one bending rules, the other strictly following them. That juxtaposition plays into both drama and character development—expect battles of morality, ethics, and procedure.
Potential for Crossovers with FBI
Given the shared universe, there’s a good chance of crossover episodes or character cameos from FBI. That helps maintain continuity and may boost viewership. While not confirmed in every detail, the franchise mix has done this before.
What Makes FBI: CIA Different from Other Procedurals
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Interagency Dynamics
FBI: CIA isn’t just another FBI show. Introducing CIA as a main partner in the procedural setup gives a fresh twist—espionage, secrecy, conflict of jurisdiction, etc. -
Moral Ambiguity
With a “rule-breaker” lead, we’ll likely see cases where the “ends vs means” question gets messy. That’s richer terrain than strictly following rules. -
Skippng the Pilot
Going straight to series signals CBS’s confidence in the premise and in its leads. It also means less waiting, more action from episode one.
Potential Challenges and Risks
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Balancing Tone: Mix too much action vs character drama, and the show might alienate portions of the audience.
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Avoiding Repetition: With so many FBI shows in the past, there’s a risk it feels derivative if not carefully crafted.
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Legitimacy of CIA in Domestic Settings: Legal/realism questions could arise since CIA is more often associated with foreign intelligence. Viewers sensitive to realism might scrutinize that.
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Competition & Expectations: Big shoes to fill, especially with the cancelled spin-offs. Viewers might expect something high caliber.
What We Still Don’t Know
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Full character names beyond Ellis’s character’s name (Hart Hoxton is rumored)
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Exact episode count, length of season.
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The identity and backstory of the FBI agent partner and how deeply the show will explore both leads’ personal lives.
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How “terror threat” cases will be handled: purely fictionally, or will there be drawn-from-real-events inspirations?
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How audiences will respond to the CIA angle—since CIA domestically is often controversial in fictional works.
FAQ Section Preview: What Fans Want Answers To
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Will FBI: CIA crossover with FBI or its other cancelled spin-offs?
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How realistic will the portrayal of CIA’s domestic operations be?
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Will we see recurring characters from FBI show up?
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Will the lead pair’s ‘odd couple’ conflict be the heart of the show, or will the cases take center stage?
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When will we get a trailer or more promotional material?
Conclusion
FBI: CIA has all the ingredients to be more than just another procedural. With Tom Ellis at the helm, a premise built on the tension between bureaucracy and rule-breaking, and a high stakes lens on domestic threats, it could push the FBI franchise into new territory. Yes, there are risks—legal realism, audience expectations, and avoiding formulaic traps—but if the creative team delivers, this spinoff could become a standout. For fans of crime dramas, this is one to keep an eye on.
FAQs
1. What is the expected release date for FBI: CIA?
It’s slated for the 2025-2026 CBS broadcast season. It was initially meant for fall but has since been shifted to midseason.
2. Who is Tom Ellis playing in the show?
Ellis is cast as the CIA case officer—a fast-talking, rule-breaking loose cannon. There’s some indication he might be named Hart Hoxton, but that detail is not fully confirmed.
3. What distinguishes FBI: CIA from FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted?
While Most Wanted focused on fugitives and International dealt with threats abroad, CIA looks inward—domestic terrorism, internal law enforcement vs. intelligence agency conflict, and moral complexity. Also, CIA skips the backdoor pilot route and goes straight to series.
4. Who is the FBI agent partner going to be?
The FBI partner is described as “by-the-book, seasoned, smart.” Nick Gehlfuss has been cast in that role.
5. Who are the showrunners and creative team behind FBI: CIA?
The show is led by showrunner David Hudgins, with Dick Wolf, Nicole Perlman, David Chasteen, and Peter Jankowski as executive producers. Eriq La Salle will direct the premiere.
