CBS is officially launching a new chapter in its hit FBI franchise with the upcoming spinoff CIA, headlined by Lucifer star Tom Ellis. Slated to premiere in fall 2025, the show marks a bold shift from traditional FBI-centric storytelling by diving into the world of CIA operations inside U.S. borders.
🔍 A Fresh Duo at the Core
The heart of CIA will be the dynamic between two very different agents: Hart Hoxton, a brilliant but unpredictable CIA officer played by Ellis, and a yet-to-be-cast FBI agent who plays by the book. Their contrasting styles promise tension, humor, and compelling chemistry as they tackle national security threats on U.S. soil.
Executive producer David Hudgins describes their partnership as the central “hook” of the series—offering both case-of-the-week excitement and deeper character development.
🎬 No Backdoor Pilot—This Show Goes Straight to Series
Unlike previous FBI spinoffs that were introduced via embedded pilots, CIA is skipping the usual process and going straight to series. This move signals CBS’s strong confidence in the concept and in Tom Ellis’s ability to attract a wide audience.
Originally working under the title FBI: CIA, the show has since been rebranded to CIA to reflect its distinct identity while still remaining part of the broader FBI universe.
🎥 A-List Production Team
The series brings together an impressive lineup of producers:
- David Hudgins (Showrunner and Executive Producer; known for FBI: Most Wanted)
- Dick Wolf (Franchise Creator)
- Nicole Perlman, David Chasteen, and Peter Jankowski (Executive Producers)
The pilot episode will be directed by Eriq La Salle, a veteran known for his work on several Law & Order and Chicago franchise entries.
🧠Standalone, Yet Connected
While CIA takes place in the same fictional universe as FBI, FBI: Most Wanted, and FBI: International, it will operate with a standalone tone. Viewers do not need to have watched previous installments to follow CIA. That said, fans can expect the occasional crossover or subtle nod to the broader universe.
The spinoff arrives in the wake of CBS’s cancellation of both FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International, signaling a strategic pivot rather than a retreat from franchise building.
🕵️ Tom Ellis: From Devil to Spy
Tom Ellis, best known for his suave and devilish role in Lucifer, will play Hart Hoxton—described as sharp, witty, unorthodox, and relentless. It’s a departure from Ellis’s previous roles and a bold new direction that blends charm with high-stakes espionage.
Casting for the FBI agent counterpart and other recurring characters is currently underway.
đź“ş Premiere Details
- Title: CIA
- Network: CBS
- Premiere Date: Fall 2025
- Timeslot: Mondays at 10/9c, following the original FBI
This scheduling move pairs CIA with its flagship sibling, creating a powerful procedural lineup to start the week.
🔚 What CIA Brings to the Franchise
CIA expands the FBI universe in both scope and style. It explores interagency collaboration, trust issues, and the thin line between foreign and domestic threats. With Tom Ellis leading the charge and a sleek production team behind the scenes, the series aims to capture both new viewers and franchise veterans.
It’s a new mission, a new partnership—and a whole new corner of the FBI world.
