As FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International come to a close, CBS is preparing to keep the franchise alive and thriving with an exciting new addition: FBI: CIA. This fresh spin-off is poised to take viewers deep into the shadows of intelligence work, where global threats, political intrigue, and covert operations collide.
A New Direction for the Franchise
Unlike its predecessors that focused on domestic fugitives (FBI: Most Wanted) or global law enforcement missions (FBI: International), FBI: CIA will shift its spotlight to the clandestine world of intelligence. Set in both Washington D.C. and international hot zones, the series will follow a hybrid task force composed of CIA operatives working closely with FBI agents on joint missions involving terrorism, espionage, and foreign threats.
While FBI: CIA still carries the procedural DNA that fans expect from the franchise, its tone is expected to be darker, more suspenseful, and more politically charged. With episodes centered around cyber warfare, double agents, rogue states, and terrorist plots, this new series aims to reflect the complexity of modern global conflicts and the secretive work done behind the scenes to prevent catastrophe.
The Story and Characters
Although full details about the cast and characters have yet to be released, insiders have hinted at a core team that blends the analytical precision of the CIA with the boots-on-the-ground action of the FBI. Expect to see:
-
A former CIA analyst turned field operative grappling with loyalty and truth,
-
A no-nonsense FBI counterterrorism agent haunted by a mission gone wrong,
-
A tech-savvy intelligence officer using AI and surveillance to track international threats,
-
And an inter-agency director trying to hold the fragile alliance between the FBI and CIA together.
The dynamics between intelligence gathering and law enforcement will be at the heart of the show, with characters often facing ethical dilemmas, blurred lines, and high-stakes decisions that carry global consequences.
What Makes It Different
What sets FBI: CIA apart is its ambition to bridge the world of criminal investigations with geopolitical strategy. The series is expected to explore international diplomacy, covert alliances, and the ripple effects of decisions made in secret rooms. While earlier entries in the franchise dealt primarily with “the bad guys,” FBI: CIA will ask tougher questions—who decides who the bad guys are? and at what cost does national security come?
Visually and narratively, the show promises to incorporate more international locations, encrypted communications, secret identities, and fast-paced intelligence missions. It’s part spy thriller, part crime drama, and fully in line with the adrenaline-pumping style that Dick Wolf’s universe is known for.
The Legacy Continues
With the conclusion of two major titles in the FBI franchise, the debut of FBI: CIA represents both a farewell and a bold new beginning. CBS is banking on this series to not only fill the void left behind but also attract new audiences interested in the intersection between law enforcement and espionage.
Scheduled to premiere in late 2025, FBI: CIA is already generating buzz for pushing the franchise into new, riskier territory—both thematically and dramatically. If done right, it could be the most gripping chapter of the FBI saga yet.
