CBS has officially announced the return dates for its FBI franchise in 2025, solidifying Tuesday nights as a must-watch lineup for fans of crime dramas. Starting January 28, viewers will once again dive into the gripping cases and character-driven stories of FBI Season 7, FBI: International Season 4, and FBI: Most Wanted Season 6. While the return of these shows is exciting news in itself, it also marks the first time in several years that the series are set to deliver full 22-episode seasons—a shift that has fans and showrunners alike celebrating.
The Return of the FBI Franchise
CBS has maintained a stronghold on Tuesday nights with its trio of FBI shows, starting the evening at 8 p.m. ET with the original FBI, followed by FBI: International at 9 p.m. ET, and wrapping up with FBI: Most Wanted at 10 p.m. ET. These shows, created under the Dick Wolf TV universe umbrella, have become staples of procedural television, known for their engaging cases and compelling character arcs.
The return date of January 28 marks a continuation of CBS’s commitment to offering a robust schedule, with the FBI shows resuming after their winter hiatus. The announcement comes as fans await the fall finales of the current seasons, which are expected to leave viewers on the edge of their seats.
A Full Season at Last
The past few years have been anything but ordinary for television production, with the COVID-19 pandemic, the WGA writers’ strike, and the SAG-AFTRA actors’ strike all contributing to shortened seasons. For FBI: Most Wanted, the journey has been particularly bumpy.
The series debuted with a 14-episode first season before the pandemic forced productions to shut down, leading to a slightly longer but still shortened 15-episode second season. Seasons 3 and 4 were the first to deliver the full 22-episode experience, but Season 5 was again truncated, this time due to industry strikes, with only 13 episodes airing between February and May 2024.
Now, with Season 6, showrunner David Hudgins has shared his excitement about the opportunity to plan for a full 22-episode arc.
David Hudgins on the Benefits of a Full Season
When speaking about returning to a full production schedule, Hudgins noted the challenges of condensed seasons and the opportunities that come with a longer one:
“Planning a 22-episode season allows us to dive deeper into character development, tackle more complex cases, and give the audience a richer viewing experience. Shortened seasons force you to make tough choices, cutting stories and leaving certain threads unresolved. With a full season, we can expand on relationships, explore new dynamics, and even revisit storylines we had to put on hold.”
Hudgins also emphasized the importance of pacing, explaining how a full season provides room for the narrative to breathe. This includes opportunities for long-term character arcs, such as exploring team leader Remy Scott’s health concerns and evolving the personal relationships within the team.
What to Expect in 2025
With the return of full seasons, fans can look forward to more expansive storytelling across all three FBI shows:
- FBI Season 7: Expect intense cases with Special Agent Maggie Bell and OA Zidan at the forefront, along with deeper explorations of their personal lives and professional struggles.
- FBI: International Season 4: The Fly Team will continue to tackle international crimes, balancing high-stakes cases with the challenges of operating far from home.
- FBI: Most Wanted Season 6: The team, led by Remy Scott, will face some of their toughest cases yet, while navigating internal team dynamics and personal challenges.
Fans can also anticipate crossover episodes, a hallmark of the FBI franchise, bringing together the casts for high-stakes cases that span multiple teams.
The Impact of Full Seasons on Storytelling
The return to full 22-episode seasons is a significant milestone for the FBI franchise. It means showrunners have the time and resources to craft layered narratives, delve into character backstories, and maintain a steady balance between case-of-the-week plots and overarching storylines.
For viewers, this translates to more immersive and satisfying seasons, as the shows can fully realize their potential without the constraints of shortened production schedules.
Final Thoughts
The return of FBI, FBI: International, and FBI: Most Wanted in January 2025 is more than just a continuation of CBS’s Tuesday night dominance. It marks a return to normalcy for television production and storytelling, allowing these fan-favorite shows to shine with full seasons.
As showrunner David Hudgins aptly put it, a longer season offers the chance to not only entertain but also to deepen the emotional connection between the audience and the characters. Fans can look forward to a packed year of crime-solving, character growth, and the high-stakes drama that has made the FBI franchise a standout in procedural television.
