CBS is expanding the successful FBI universe with an exciting new spinoff titled FBI: CIA, set to premiere during the 2025–2026 television season. This fresh addition promises to bring a unique angle to the established franchise by focusing on the covert world of the Central Intelligence Agency and its intricate operations tied to domestic security.
A Bold New Direction for the FBI Franchise
Following the conclusion of two other FBI spinoffs—FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International—CBS is repositioning the franchise with FBI: CIA. Unlike its predecessors, which primarily centered on FBI task forces handling crime and terrorism across the U.S. and abroad, this new series will delve into the clandestine activities of CIA operatives working within U.S. borders.
The show stars acclaimed actor Tom Ellis, best known for his role in Lucifer, as Hart Hoxton, a charismatic and unconventional CIA officer who bends the rules to get results. His character is set to bring a fresh energy and complexity to the franchise, balancing charm with intense professionalism.
Plot and Premise
FBI: CIA follows Hart Hoxton as he teams up with an as-yet-unrevealed FBI agent to form a secretive task force dedicated to preventing domestic threats that blur the lines between terrorism, espionage, and national security. Set primarily in New York City, the series aims to explore the high-stakes tension of intelligence work within the nation’s most iconic urban environment.
This hybrid focus on CIA and FBI collaboration highlights the blurred boundaries between federal agencies, bringing viewers a layered and thrilling procedural narrative that explores political intrigue, covert operations, and the personal sacrifices of agents on the front lines.
Connection to the Main FBI Series
The characters and premise of FBI: CIA will be introduced through a backdoor pilot airing as part of FBI Season 7. This approach allows the existing fan base to get familiar with the new team and storyline, creating a seamless bridge between the original series and its new offshoot.
However, showrunner David Hudgins has emphasized that FBI: CIA will operate largely independently, without relying heavily on crossover appearances from characters in FBI: Most Wanted or FBI: International. This separation reflects a strategic decision to give the spinoff its own identity and creative direction, while still benefiting from the established FBI brand.
Production and Expectations
Executive producers behind the FBI franchise, including Dick Wolf and Rick Eid, are involved in shepherding FBI: CIA into its launch. The network is banking on Tom Ellis’s star power and the fresh concept to reinvigorate the franchise and capture audiences seeking sophisticated, high-stakes crime dramas with a modern edge.
Industry insiders suggest that FBI: CIA will explore timely themes such as cybersecurity threats, internal corruption, and the ethical complexities of surveillance and intelligence gathering. These elements aim to resonate with viewers in an era of heightened geopolitical tension and technological warfare.
Looking Forward
As CBS gears up for the 2025–2026 season, FBI: CIA represents a bold step forward for the franchise, blending the procedural elements that fans love with fresh narrative perspectives. With a compelling lead in Tom Ellis and a premise rooted in the shadowy world of intelligence, the spinoff has strong potential to carve out its own niche in the crowded landscape of crime and thriller television.
Fans of the FBI universe can expect more updates on casting and plot developments as the backdoor pilot approaches. Meanwhile, anticipation builds for what promises to be a captivating new chapter in one of CBS’s most enduring franchises.
FBI: CIA is slated for a midseason premiere in 2026, with the backdoor pilot episode airing during FBI Season 7.
