FBI Spinoff CIA Casts Lucifer Star In Lead Role As CBS Gives Major Update

FBI‘s CIA spinoff is moving forward at CBS with a major update. The conclusions of FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted are both looming, but the overall franchise will continue to expand with a CIA-focused spinoff. The project was initially meant to be planted as a backdoor pilot in the main FBI series. Now, however, it is taking a different direction on the way to a spot on CBS’ schedule.

Variety reports that Lucifer star Tom Ellis has been cast for one of the two lead roles in CIA. It will join the main FBI series on the CBS schedule in the 2025-2026 broadcast television season, which means it will debut later this year. The spinoff hails from Law & Order creator Dick Wolf and David Hudgins, with both executive producing and Hudgins serving as showrunner. Nicole Perlman, David Chasteen, and Peter Jankowski are also executive producers. The project hails from Universal Television in association with Wolf Entertainment and CBS Studios.

What The CIA Spinoff Means For FBI

There Is More Casting Left To Go

Set to be written by Hudgins and Wolf, CIA is currently only the working title for the spinoff and may change. The story centers on two unlikely partners. One is described as “a fast-talking, rule-breaking loose cannon CIA case officer”, who is the character that Ellis plays. The other, meanwhile, is a veteran FBI agent who trusts the rule of law. The two are an odd couple, and they’re assigned to work out of the CIA’s New York Station, learning to collaborate while investigating cases and finding that their differences are actually strengths.

Hudgins has served as showrunner on FBI: Most Wanted, in addition to working on dramas like Parenthood and Friday Night Lights. He’ll again be in the showrunner role for CIA, which should benefit from the addition of Ellis. He is best known to many for playing the titular Lucifer Morningstar on Lucifer for six seasons. His other credits include Once Upon A Time, a recent run on the Hulu drama series Tell Me Lies, and the romantic comedy Players opposite Gina Rodriguez. Casting for other roles remains ongoing.

Our Take On Ellis’ Casting

Go With A Pro

Additional reports note that negotiations with Ellis took some time. It is understandable that they’d want a notable actor to lead the third spinoff, especially with some viewers upset that the initial two spinoffs have been cancelled. FBI is already renewed for two additional seasons, so at least CIA will have some continuity as it joins CBS.