The 2026 television season has officially delivered the most ambitious expansion of the Dick Wolf universe to date, a project that has been whispered about in trade publications for years. As CBS navigates a strategic shift toward “super-procedurals,” the arrival of FBI: CIA represents a bold new frontier for the franchise. Moving away from the purely domestic focus of the New York Field Office, this new series bridges the gap between the Bureau’s law enforcement mandate and the shadowy, clandestine world of international intelligence. With its premiere in early 2026, the show has immediately captivated audiences by blending the tactical realism of the FBI brand with the high-stakes, psychological depth of a global spy thriller.
The Cast: A Convergence of Star Power
The “First Look” at the ensemble for FBI: CIA confirms a cast designed to carry the weight of two massive federal legacies. Leading the charge is Tom Ellis (Lucifer), who steps away from his usual supernatural charm to portray Colin Glass, a veteran CIA case officer with a reputation for “unorthodox operational successes.” Glass is a man who operates in the gray spaces of global security, making him a fascinating foil for his new partner. Starring alongside Ellis is Nick Gehlfuss (Chicago Med), whose transition from the halls of Gaffney Chicago Medical Center to the field of federal intelligence is one of the most talked-about career shifts of the 2026 season.
Gehlfuss portrays Special Agent Bill Goodman, a disciplined, by-the-book FBI investigator who is seconded to a joint inter-agency task force. The cast is rounded out by Necar Zadegan, who brings a commanding presence as Deputy Chief Nikki Reynard, the woman responsible for managing the volatile friction between Langley and the JOC. This “odd-couple” dynamic between the roguish Glass and the methodical Goodman provides the series with an intellectual spark, as they must learn to trust one another while navigating a world where secrets are the primary currency.
Plot Details: Domestic Shadows and Global Threats
The plot of FBI: CIA centers on the increasingly blurred lines of national security in 2026. The series is set primarily in a “black site” office within the New York Field Office, where the team is tasked with investigating threats that originate overseas but manifest on American soil. Unlike the flagship series, which often focuses on reactive crime-solving, FBI: CIA is proactive and preventative. The inaugural season follows a serialized arc involving a “Deep State” conspiracy that spans from Eastern Europe to the streets of Manhattan.
The premiere episode, “The Atlantic Bridge,” sets a high bar, involving a stolen cache of biometric data that could compromise every undercover agent in the Western hemisphere. The show doesn’t shy away from the moral ambiguities of the job; it frequently explores the tension between the FBI’s commitment to constitutional law and the CIA’s “whatever it takes” approach to foreign assets. This philosophical conflict adds a “prestige-drama” layer to the procedural format, making it a more mature evolution of the “One FBI” brand.
How Chicago Connects: The One Chicago Link
The most intriguing aspect for longtime Dick Wolf fans is the “Chicago Connection.” The casting of Nick Gehlfuss is not merely a coincidence; it serves as a narrative bridge between the Chicago and FBI universes. While Gehlfuss is playing a new character, Bill Goodman, the 2026 premiere includes a clever piece of dialogue referencing his “cousin in Chicago who works in the ER.” This subtle nod confirms that FBI: CIA exists within the same shared continuity as Chicago Med, Fire, and P.D.
This connection opens the door for unprecedented crossover potential. In the 2026 mid-season, a joint operation between the Intelligence Unit in Chicago and the task force in New York has already been teased. The crossover involves a fugitive who fled the Windy City and surfaced in a CIA-monitored safe house in New York, forcing Hank Voight (Jason Beghe) to collaborate with Colin Glass. By linking these two massive franchises, CBS and NBC are creating a “Broadcast Cinematic Universe” that rewards loyal viewers and allows for high-stakes storytelling that spans across state lines and agency jurisdictions.
A New Standard for the Franchise
Ultimately, the “First Look” at FBI: CIA reveals a show that is ready to redefine the procedural landscape. It is faster, darker, and more global than its predecessors. By combining the star power of Tom Ellis and Nick Gehlfuss with a plot that feels ripped from tomorrow’s headlines, the series has successfully carved out its own identity. As the 2026 season progresses, the connection to Chicago and the flagship FBI team will only deepen, creating a tapestry of heroism that covers every corner of the globe. For fans of the Bureau and the Windy City alike, the “CIA” expansion is the high-octane evolution they have been waiting for.
