In a bold programming shift, CBS has officially canceled two of its major FBI franchise series: FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International. The decision comes after both shows concluded their latest seasons in May, drawing to a close a significant era for the network’s primetime crime lineup.
📺 A Franchise Staple Comes to an End
FBI: Most Wanted wrapped up its sixth season, while FBI: International ended with season four. Both shows were praised for their thrilling cases and action-packed storytelling, each carving out a loyal viewership. Despite maintaining relatively strong ratings—often pulling in 5 to 7 million viewers per episode—the network opted to discontinue both series heading into the 2025–2026 season.
💼 Why Were They Canceled?
According to insiders familiar with the decision, the primary reason behind the cancellations was budget-related. With rising production costs, international filming logistics (FBI: International was shot across Europe), and changing viewer trends, CBS made a strategic choice to reallocate resources.
The cancellation also comes amid the development of a new spin-off series, FBI: CIA, which CBS has already ordered straight-to-series for fall 2025. The introduction of this new entry in the franchise may have played a role in the removal of older titles to free up schedule space.
🎙️ Creator & Cast Reactions
Though fans were stunned, the show’s creative teams handled the news with grace. Co-creator Derek Haas, who led FBI: International, expressed disappointment but appreciation for the show’s run:
“Four seasons is a gift. I’m proud of what our cast and crew accomplished and thankful to the fans who supported us from the beginning.”
Similarly, stars from Most Wanted took to social media to thank their fans and reflect on their time portraying members of the elite fugitive task force.
🧩 What It Means for the FBI Universe
The cancellations don’t mean the end of the FBI universe entirely. The flagship series FBI will return for Season 8 this fall. In addition, FBI: CIA will expand the universe by focusing on domestic counterterrorism efforts, combining elements of the FBI with the CIA in a new high-stakes setting.
Fans of the franchise can also expect occasional character crossovers, as CBS has hinted that actors from the canceled shows may guest star in future episodes of FBI or its spin-offs.
🕵️ Franchise Timeline Recap
| Series | Premiere Year | Final Season | Episodes Aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| FBI: Most Wanted | 2020 | Season 6 (2025) | 100+ episodes |
| FBI: International | 2021 | Season 4 (2025) | ~60 episodes |
| FBI (Flagship) | 2018 | Ongoing | Renewed for Season 8 |
📣 Final Thoughts
The end of FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International marks a bittersweet moment for fans of the franchise. While some beloved characters and stories will no longer grace the screen weekly, the FBI universe continues to evolve. CBS appears to be shifting its focus toward fresher narratives and high-concept series like FBI: CIA, signaling a new chapter in one of television’s most successful procedural brands.
Whether longtime fans will embrace the changes remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the world of FBI is far from closed.
