The CBS procedural universe is undergoing a massive transformation as we enter early 2026. While the “Country” franchise expands into law enforcement, the legendary Dick Wolf “FBI” ecosystem is evolving with its most ambitious spinoff to date: CIA. This new series marks a departure from standard domestic police work, venturing into the shadowy, high-stakes intersection of international intelligence and federal law enforcement.
Here is a comprehensive look at the upcoming series, its development, and what viewers can expect from this gritty new addition to the Monday night lineup.
The Concept: A Clash of Agency Cultures
At its core, CIA is a character-driven thriller built on the friction between two historically competitive agencies. While the flagship FBI focuses on the Bureau’s structured, evidence-based approach to domestic crime, CIA introduces the “gray area” of intelligence gathering.
The series centers on a secretive joint task force based in a clandestine New York Station. The narrative engine is an “odd couple” partnership: a renegade, fast-talking CIA case officer and a disciplined, by-the-book FBI special agent. Unlike previous spinoffs that followed a “case-of-the-week” formula, CIA explores the legal and ethical boundaries of how intelligence is used on U.S. soil. Showrunners have described the tone as a blend of the fast-paced action of FBI and the psychological tension of Homeland.
The Powerhouse Cast
CBS has tapped procedural veterans and fan favorites to lead the new series, ensuring a strong built-in audience from day one.
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Tom Ellis (Hart Hoxton): Transitioning from his iconic role in Lucifer, Ellis plays Hart Hoxton, a CIA officer who spent years undercover in Eastern Europe. He is charming, reckless, and views the FBI’s “rules of evidence” as a hindrance to national security.
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Nick Gehlfuss (Bill Goodman): Known for his long run on Chicago Med, Gehlfuss returns to the screen as Special Agent Bill Goodman. He represents the Bureau’s integrity, believing that the “ends do not justify the means” if the law is broken along the way.
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Necar Zadegan: Playing the Chief of Station, Zadegan brings her experience from NCIS: New Orleans to play a leader who must balance the political pressures of Washington D.C. with the chaotic reality of the New York streets.
Production History and Strategic Pivot
The road to CIA has been a testament to CBS’s commitment to the franchise. Originally, the network intended to introduce the characters via a “backdoor pilot” within a crossover event of the main FBI show. However, after seeing the chemistry between Ellis and Gehlfuss in early screen tests, executives made the bold move to bypass the pilot phase and issue a straight-to-series order.
This decision comes at a time of “creative pivoting” for the Dick Wolf universe. With the recent conclusion of FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International, the network is looking to consolidate its viewership into a more interconnected, character-focused Monday night block. By moving current FBI showrunner Mike Weiss over to oversee CIA, the network is ensuring that while the tone is new, the high-octane DNA that fans love remains intact.
What to Expect: Premiere and Schedule
As of early January 2026, the marketing machine is in full swing. Fans have already been treated to high-intensity teasers featuring Tom Ellis navigating a high-speed chase through Manhattan, juxtaposed with Nick Gehlfuss in a tense interrogation room.
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Premiere Date: Monday, February 23, 2026.
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Time Slot: 10:00 PM ET, following the midseason return of the flagship FBI.
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The “Monday Night Takeover”: CBS is positioning this as a three-hour “block of justice,” where plot threads from the 8:00 PM FBI episode may subtly bleed into the 10:00 PM CIA investigation.
Why Fans Are Keeping Calm (And Not)
The announcement has sparked a wave of debate among procedural fans. On platforms like Reddit and X, the “Lucifan” community is out in full force to support Tom Ellis’s return to network television. Meanwhile, hardcore FBI purists are curious to see if the show can maintain its realism while introducing the more “fictionalized” world of CIA field ops.
The real draw, however, is the promise of crossover events. With the agencies sharing a city, the potential for Maggie Bell (Missy Peregrym) or OA (Zeeko Zaki) to show up at a CIA safe house is almost guaranteed.
As we look toward the February premiere, CIA isn’t just a new show; it’s a gamble that the procedural format is ready for a darker, more complex evolution. In the world of Edgewater and New York, the rules are changing, and CIA is leading the charge.
