CIA being pulled from CBS’ Fall 2025 line-up was disappointing for fans of the FBI franchise. But the show’s star, Tom Ellis, has an update that’ll get viewers excited about what’s to come. Production starts on the series in September, and Ellis believes the script is in “a really great place.”
The procedural was bumped to a midseason release due to a showrunner change that saw FBI: Most Wanted’s David Hudgins exiting and Warren Leight (Law and Order: SVU) coming onboard. This necessitated script tweaks and more attention to the show’s direction. In an interview with Collider, Ellis took a moment to share how far along CIA is in its development.
We haven’t started yet. We start shooting in September because we’re going to be a midseason. No, we haven’t done a pilot, which is a really strange experience for me. That normally is your time for finding your character, finding out what the show is, experimenting with tone, and all those different things. We haven’t got there yet. But the script is in a really great place. They’re still casting at the moment. We’re trying to find the person I’m going to play opposite, essentially. What I would say is that I’ve had a great time with the people from Dick Wolf Productions. They’ve been incredibly enthusiastic and supportive about what we’re doing. I think there is a shared feeling that we would like to really make our mark as a show. I think initially we were going to be a spin out series from FBI. The more it’s gone on, I think we’re actually gaining our own identity.
Originally, CIA was supposed to have a backdoor pilot that would introduce Ellis’ character Hart Hoxton to the wider FBI world and viewership before being launched into his own series. But now he’s going to be hitting the ground running and the powers that be want to ensure they get this right as soon as they leave the gate.
Crafting Hoxton’s dynamic with his FBI partner is a key part of the formula. The role of the by-the-book flip to Hoxton’s rule-defying nature will be essential to the procedural’s success. Ellis suggested as much when he stated, “The central relationship between my character and the FBI character is going to be very much a driving force for the show.”
What Does Tom Ellis’ Filming Update Mean For CIA
Production starting in September means we’ll soon learn who will star opposite Ellis in CIA. It also leaves open the possibility of a crossover with FBI early on in season 1. The flagship began filming its eighth season in August. Though CBS scrapped CIA’s pilot, that doesn’t mean the 2025-2026 television season will go without these two worlds colliding.
At the moment, the priority is getting the procedural up on its feet and giving it room to garner attention. CBS likes a long runway for their new series to launch from, creating buzz and anticipation as they count down to the premiere.
Our Take On Tom Ellis’ CIA Filming Update
Ellis also stated, “Even though we’re going to be a case of the week type of procedural, we’re going to spend a bit more time with our main characters than they traditionally do on a lot of these Wolf shows,” which is a welcome change. The character dynamics in the FBI universe are a constant source of conversation.
Fans want more character development and peeks into the agents’ lives outside the field. The case of the week format is fun but the audience returns for the characters. That’s why there’s such a strong pull for Maggie and OA’s friendship, the romance between Scola and Nina, and the bond that Cameron and Wes share. It will be great to see CIA diving even more deeply into that element.
