CBS has officially given a straight-to-series order to CIA, an ambitious new spinoff set within the same universe as the network’s hit procedural FBI. This bold move marks a fresh chapter for the franchise, especially as CBS retires FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International.
🎬 No Pilot Needed — CBS Moves Fast
Rather than test the waters with a backdoor pilot or traditional trial episode, CBS has fast-tracked CIA straight to series for the 2025–2026 season. This signals the network’s confidence in the concept and its creative team.
🌟 Tom Ellis to Star in Lead Role
Beloved actor Tom Ellis, best known for his role in Lucifer, has been cast as Hart Hoxton, a quick-witted, unorthodox CIA officer stationed in New York. His character is described as a “fast-talking, rule-breaking” agent who must work alongside a methodical, by-the-book FBI partner. Their dynamic will drive the show’s core tension, blending espionage, intelligence operations, and inter-agency drama.
🧠 Behind the Scenes: Veteran Talent at the Helm
Former FBI: Most Wanted showrunner David Hudgins will serve as the executive producer and showrunner for CIA. He joins a powerful production team led by Dick Wolf, Peter Jankowski, and others known for their work across the FBI and Law & Order franchises. The pilot episode will be directed by Eriq La Salle, a veteran known for his work on Chicago P.D. and Law & Order: Organized Crime.
Hudgins has emphasized that while CIA is connected to the FBI franchise, it is meant to stand on its own with a unique tone and character-driven storytelling.
🧭 Story & Tone: A Spy-Thriller Twist
CIA will take place in the agency’s New York field station, focusing on domestic threats that require both CIA and FBI intervention. Unlike the usual case-of-the-week format seen in FBI, this spinoff promises a more serialized, suspense-driven approach. It blends spy-thriller tension with grounded character dynamics, centering on the cultural and operational clash between the two lead agents.
While set in the FBI universe, CIA will not rely heavily on crossover appearances, giving it room to build its own identity and storytelling rhythm.
📅 Release Plan & Schedule
The series is slated to premiere in Fall 2025, occupying the Monday 10 PM ET/PT slot on CBS, directly following FBI. Episodes will also stream the next day on Paramount+.
This new time slot positions CIA as the anchor for CBS’s updated Monday night lineup, keeping the FBI franchise active and evolving.
🔍 Why CIA Is a Big Deal
With the recent cancellation of two beloved spinoffs, CIA is being introduced at a time of transformation for the FBI universe. It offers:
- A fresh narrative tone with espionage elements and moral ambiguity
- A star-powered lead in Tom Ellis, drawing fans from beyond procedural circles
- A rebooted format that still connects with the franchise’s core audience
📝 Final Thoughts
CIA is shaping up to be one of CBS’s most anticipated premieres of the 2025–2026 season. By embracing a darker, edgier tone and focusing on character chemistry rather than formulaic cases, the show promises to refresh and expand the boundaries of the FBI universe. With a proven team behind the scenes and a fan-favorite lead, all eyes will be on this daring new direction when it debuts this fall.
