‘FBI: International’ Co-Creator Speaks Out on Cancellation: “Quality Wasn’t the Issue”

The early months of the year saw the decimation of the Dick Wolf FBI universe with CBS’ decision to trim the offshoots. FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted both saw their runs terminated unexpectedly. After four solid seasons, FBI: International had established itself as a fan-favorite show with many beloved characters to follow. The decision to cancel the show by CBS was one that left fans of the series both shocked and surprised, and apparently the same feeling is shared by series co-creator Derek Haas, who remains unsure about the why behind the decision.

“I was so sad to hear about the cancellation,” Haas tells TV Line in a recent interview, “because I loved [Chicago P.D. vet] Jesse Soffer as Wes on the show and really thought it was a dynamic cast addition in Season 4.” Jesse Lee Soffer joined FBI: International at the start of Season 4, playing Wes Mitchell. Soffer’s Wes is the actor’s second role within Wolf’s vast television empire, as the actor previously portrayed Jay Halstead on the One Chicago show, Chicago P.D. Haas had previously co-created the police procedural’s sister show, Chicago Fire, for NBC.

‘FBI: International’s Cancellation Was Not About Quality

International averaged about 6.5 million total viewers (with delayed playback), down just 9% from last year, and ranked eighth among the other dramas aired by CBS this past season. The show’s position was higher than the renewed Fire Country, NCIS: Origins, and NCIS: Sydney, as well as the canceled S.W.A.T. and The Equalizer. Series co-creator Haas believes that, despite these numbers, CBS must have had its reasons for canceling the show, but it had nothing to do with quality:

“I have no insight into why it was cancelled. I love Amy [Reisenbach] and [EVP of current programming] Eric [Kim] over at CBS plus all my good friends at Wolf [Entertainment], and trust their instincts. So they must’ve had reasons that had nothing to do with the quality of the show.”

Haas is not the only one attached to the show who has since spoken about the show’s cancellation. Production on FBI: International was based out of Budapest, Hungary. This has allowed actors such as Soffer to travel all over Eurasia playing their respective characters. It’s an experience they will most likely cherish as Soffer’s farewell message shared in May reads:

“What a year. What a journey. 6000 miles away. Over 25,000 miles traveled. New friends. Old friends. Loss. Love. Immense focus. Deep appreciation for the lessons that come with putting all of your energy towards a project. So much growth. I’m very grateful. Thank you for going on the journey with me. 💙 #fbiinternational”