Crossovers are supposed to be fan service at its finest—three shows, one universe, and explosive storytelling. But according to insiders, the big FBI crossover event of 2023 may have done more harm than good—at least behind the scenes.
🎥 Overlapping Universes, Overloaded Schedules
In March 2023, CBS aired a heavily marketed three-part crossover between FBI, FBI: Most Wanted, and FBI: International. What fans didn’t see? The logistical nightmare behind the scenes. Coordinating three casts, three production schedules, and three writing teams proved chaotic.
One crew member reportedly told Deadline (anonymously):
“It was like herding tigers with broken clocks.”
Actors had to fly between New York and Budapest on short notice, scripts were rewritten overnight, and tensions flared among assistant directors and production heads.
🗣️ Behind-the-Scenes Friction
Sources also pointed to creative tension between showrunners. One insider claimed the teams “fought for screen time” for their respective characters. Some writers allegedly disagreed over plot arcs and whether certain characters would behave consistently across shows.
Even within the actors, there was frustration. One lead reportedly felt their role in the crossover was “reduced to background noise.”
Despite high ratings, the event was a strain internally. CBS may have delivered a high-impact night of television, but it came at a cost—both creatively and logistically.
