The Dick Wolf-led FBI universe underwent a slight shakeup in the earlier months of the year as two of its offshoots were cut off. FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted were both cancelled by CBS even as the franchise looked to expand even further. The franchise is poised to premiere later this year, an upcoming FBI spin-off, CIA which will feature Tom Ellis’ character in the lead role. The prospect of seeing characters from both cancelled shows has received an uncertain response.
The news outlet, TV Line, in an update concerning the upcoming spin-off, revealed that there hasn’t been a decision made on whether characters from FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted will appear on CIA. A deeper look into the report reveals that no one other than Ellis has been cast as the spin-off is described as being in a “bit of a holding pattern.” Ellis won’t lead the series alone, with the show set to mirror the dynamic his character Lucifer, enjoyed in the supernatural drama, Lucifer. The new series will star Ellis as a charismatic, rule-breaking CIA case officer, Hart Hoxton, who has to work with a veteran FBI agent who trusts the rule of law.
The question of making the crossover to the new CIA show is one that multiple members of the FBI franchise are looking to make. Jeremy Sisto stars in the flagship series alongside Missy Peregrym and Zeeko Zaki, and the actor revealed in May 2025 that he’d like his character, Jubal Valentine, to appear in the upcoming spin-off series. “This new CIA show is something that I’m hoping to be a part of,” Sisto said. “I hope that Jubal Valentine can help out with the CIA situation, but you don’t know. We don’t know if it will happen. I don’t know if I will get the call. We’ll see. But Jubal would love it. Alright, what’s next?”
Hart Hoxton Would Be A Morally Ambiguous Character in ‘CIA’
There are several interesting characters from both FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted who would be worth a place in the spin-off. CIA is set to be written by FBI: Most Wanted showrunner David Hudgins, Nicole Perlman, and former CIA officer David Chasteen. Ahead of the coming show, series star, Ellis, discussed what audiences could expect from the reign of Hart Hoxton on CBS. Detailing his character, Ellis explained:
“So, my character is called Hart. He is an experienced field officer from the CIA, but he finds himself stuck in what some CIA agents might think was the boring end of the job in, you know, on home soil in New York. But he’s someone who, like many people who work for the CIA, has to use guile and deceit and lies to get what he wants. So there’s a large dose of moral ambiguity that comes with him, but that’s part of his job. So whilst that is, you know, not great for people in actual life, for a TV audience, it’s wonderful entertainment. So, yeah.”
CIA is due to premiere in the fall of 2025 and is scheduled to air after the original FBI series on CBS. As always, stick around for future updates.
