The shockwaves from FBI: International’s abrupt cancellation after four seasons have left fans and creators alike reeling. Derek Haas, the co-creator of the CBS hit series, opened up about his emotions surrounding the decision in a candid interview with TVLine. While the cancellation was expected to hit hard for the cast and crew, Haas’ response was bittersweet: “It’s just sad,” he said, reflecting on the show’s sudden end.

Haas, who had previously found success as the co-creator of Chicago Fire and is set to launch the new Countdown series on Prime Video, admitted that he wasn’t sure exactly why FBI: International was canceled. “I really don’t have any insight,” Haas explained, acknowledging that sometimes decisions like these are made from factors outside the creative sphere, such as financial considerations and shifting market priorities.

Despite the show’s end, Haas was quick to praise the incredible talent that had helped elevate FBI: International in its fourth and final season. “Jesse Lee Soffer was a dynamic addition to the cast,” he said, referring to Soffer’s portrayal of Wesley “Wes” Mitchell, who joined the show following the exit of Luke Kleintank’s Scott Forrester. Soffer, known for his role on Chicago P.D., quickly became a fan favorite with his engaging chemistry with fellow cast member Jay Hayden, who played Tyler Booth.

“They were gold together,” Haas said of Soffer and Hayden’s onscreen dynamic, underscoring the emotional depth they brought to their characters. The pairing had undoubtedly added a fresh spark to the show, making the cancellation all the more poignant for fans who had grown invested in the evolving relationships between the team members.

While Haas expressed his sadness over the show’s cancellation, he also offered some perspective. “I trust their instincts,” he said, acknowledging CBS’s Amy Reisenbach and Eric Kim, who are responsible for primetime programming at CBS, as well as Dick Wolf’s production company, Wolf Entertainment. Despite the heartbreaking end of FBI: International, Haas maintained that the decision was likely based on factors far beyond the show’s creative quality.

Reisenbach, in turn, had offered a similar explanation in May, when asked about the decision to cancel FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted. She stated that while it was difficult to end both shows, the network had to be “fiscally responsible” and look at the overall financial picture. “It’s never easy to end shows,” Reisenbach explained. “Ultimately those deals and the shows just weren’t penciling out for us from an economic perspective.”

As the final season concluded, fans were left with questions about what the cancellation truly meant for the future of the FBI franchise. While FBI: International and Most Wanted may be gone, the flagship FBI series, co-created by Wolf and Craig Turk, has been renewed through the 2026-2027 broadcast season, continuing to garner support from its fanbase.

The FBI universe isn’t quite finished with its expansion, however. A new spinoff, tentatively titled FBI: CIA, is slated for release this fall. The show, which stars Lucifer alum Tom Ellis, will bring a new angle to the FBI franchise, focusing on a dedicated FBI agent and a street-smart CIA operative working together on a top-secret task force.

However, for fans of FBI: International, the news of its cancellation stings. The show had carved out a unique niche for itself by combining high-octane action with compelling international settings, offering a glimpse into the world of law enforcement beyond U.S. borders. With the cancellation, fans are left to mourn the end of a series that could have explored so much more.

As Haas reflected on his time working on FBI: International, he expressed gratitude for the entire journey. “It’s been an incredible ride,” he said. “I loved every minute of it, even the difficult moments. It was an honor to bring this show to life.”

The final episodes of FBI: International will air in the spring, offering one last glimpse into the team’s final missions before they ride off into the sunset. And though the future may hold new challenges for the FBI universe, the loss of FBI: International will be felt by many.

For now, fans are left with one final goodbye, knowing that while FBI: International may have ended, its impact on the FBI legacy will not soon be forgotten.