When the much-hyped FBI universe crossover aired in March 2023, fans were thrilled. Three powerhouse shows—FBI, FBI: Most Wanted, and FBI: International—collided in a single high-octane narrative arc. But while the onscreen action delivered fireworks, the real drama unfolded far from camera view. For FBI: International, the crossover wasn’t just an opportunity to shine—it was a logistical and creative gauntlet that tested the very foundations of its production.
On paper, it was everything a franchise fan could want. The Fly Team from FBI: International joined forces with agents from New York and D.C., crossing borders and bureaucracies in a race against a global threat. But the real challenge wasn’t the storyline—it was the massive coordination required behind the scenes. As insiders revealed after the fact, managing three different production units scattered across time zones was a “nightmare,” with cast and crew flying between Budapest and the States on shockingly short notice.
One crew member described it bluntly: “It was like herding tigers with broken clocks.” Scenes were rewritten within hours, location permits were scrambled at the eleventh hour, and filming days ran long into the night. For a show like FBI: International, which already navigates the challenge of shooting in multiple countries, the added pressure nearly derailed its schedule.
But it wasn’t just logistics. Creative tensions simmered beneath the surface. Each show has its own tone, rhythm, and character hierarchy. While FBI: International focuses on diplomacy, international protocol, and language barriers, its U.S.-based counterparts lean into fast-paced domestic takedowns. Merging those worlds proved trickier than anticipated. According to sources close to production, writers and showrunners clashed over how much screen time each team should get. Some believed that International’s unique global scope was being sacrificed in favor of domestic drama.
The cast felt it too. Though most remained tight-lipped, one International lead privately expressed frustration that their character had been “reduced to background noise,” with meaningful development stripped away to serve a more uniform crossover narrative. For a show that prides itself on nuance—exploring cultural differences, international law, and moral ambiguity—the crossover’s all-guns-blazing approach didn’t sit well with everyone.
Despite the turbulence, FBI: International managed to emerge intact—though not unscathed. It was a learning moment, a reminder that shared universes come with a price. High ratings and social media buzz can’t always offset the strain it puts on production crews, writers, and actors trying to maintain character integrity across shows.
As the franchise looks to the future, it remains to be seen whether CBS will attempt another event of that scale. If they do, one hopes the Fly Team will be given not just a seat at the table—but the space to do what they do best: tell stories that aren’t just loud, but layered.