The expansive FBI universe created by Dick Wolf is officially moving into the world of global espionage. Following months of production rumors and behind-the-scenes shakeups, CBS has finally locked in the details for its newest high-octane procedural, CIA. Set to anchor the network’s Monday night lineup, the series promises to blend the grit of federal investigations with the high stakes of international intelligence.
A New Night of Justice: The Release Date
Mark your calendars for Monday, February 23, 2026. CBS has confirmed that CIA will occupy the coveted 10:00 PM ET time slot, airing immediately after the flagship series FBI. This strategic scheduling creates a powerful “Monday Night Wolf Pack,” allowing fans to transition seamlessly from domestic federal cases to the clandestine world of overseas threats operating on U.S. soil. For those who prefer digital viewing, episodes will be available to stream the following day on Paramount+.
The Trailer: Spies vs. Suits
The recently released trailer sets a distinctly different tone from the other FBI spinoffs. It opens with a tense, yet snarky, polygraph test—a perfect introduction to the show’s “odd-couple” dynamic. The footage highlights the stark contrast between its two leads:
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Hart Hoxton (Tom Ellis): A fast-talking, rule-breaking CIA case officer who views lying as a necessary “job description.” Ellis brings a roguish charm to the role, operating in the shadows and often clashing with his partner’s rigid methods.
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Bill Goodman (Nick Gehlfuss): A seasoned, by-the-book FBI agent who believes firmly in the rule of law. Gehlfuss provides the grounded, disciplined counterpoint to Hoxton’s loose-cannon energy.
The trailer is packed with explosions, high-speed chases through New York City, and sharp dialogue that emphasizes their mutual distrust. “You guys work in the open, we work in the shadows,” Hoxton quips in the sneak peek, summarizing the fundamental friction that will drive the debut season.
The Task Force and the Team
The series follows a secretive joint task force based out of the CIA’s New York Station. Tasked with preventing domestic terrorism, the team must navigate the bureaucratic red tape that usually keeps the two agencies at odds. Joining Ellis and Gehlfuss are:
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Necar Zadegan as the Chief of Station, the high-ranking official responsible for managing the volatile partnership between Hoxton and Goodman.
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Natalee Linez as Gina Rojas, a brilliant CIA analyst who provides the technical expertise needed to track global threats.
Why It’s a Game-Changer
While FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International focused on specific types of pursuit, CIA is being billed as a “universe expansion” rather than a traditional spinoff. By focusing on the friction between a spy agency and a law enforcement bureau, the show explores a “grey area” of justice that hasn’t been seen in the franchise before.
As the premiere date of February 23, 2026, approaches, the anticipation is palpable. With Tom Ellis and Nick Gehlfuss leading the charge, CIA is poised to be the next big hit in the Dick Wolf empire.
