Fans of the FBI franchise are gearing up for a new chapter in the universe with the upcoming spinoff CIA, now officially scheduled to premiere on Monday, February 23, 2026, on CBS. After several production hiccups and leadership shake-ups behind the scenes, the series is still moving forward as one of the network’s most anticipated arrivals in the 2026 midseason lineup.
Originally announced as a potential backdoor pilot that would air within FBI, the project evolved into a straight-to-series order early in 2025 after the backdoor pilot idea was shelved due to casting and scheduling challenges. The premise follows an unusual but high-stakes partnership between a fast-talking, rule-breaking CIA case officer and a seasoned, by-the-book FBI agent working together out of the CIA’s New York station to investigate threats on U.S. soil.
However, the series hasn’t had a smooth ride to air. During production, CIA experienced multiple creative reshuffles, including the departure of showrunners, executive producers, and at least one originally cast lead. These changes briefly paused production as the team worked to regroup under new leadership and fill key roles. Despite these setbacks, the project has pressed on, with filming continuing and plans still in place for its midseason launch.
Casting continues to shape the show’s identity, with Lucifer star Tom Ellis leading the charge alongside Chicago Med alum Nick Gehlfuss, who plays the FBI counterpart in this unlikely partnership. Additional casting adjustments—such as recasting a station chief role with Necar Zadegan—reflect the evolving creative landscape as the series nears its debut.
The shift from a fall 2025 premiere to midseason 2026 came as CBS restructured its schedule, prioritizing other returning series in the original time slot while giving CIA more time to refine its storytelling and production. With a clear release date now in place, viewers can expect the spinoff to land in a post-FBI Monday lineup, potentially offering crossover opportunities and expanded universe storytelling as it finds its footing.
Although CIA faced growing pains, the fact that it has weathered casting exits and leadership turnover and still locked in a premiere date underscores CBS’s commitment to expanding the FBI franchise in fresh directions. As fans count down to February 2026, anticipation is building for a series that promises action, procedural tension, and a compelling new dynamic between two very different agents navigating national security threats.
