Dick Wolf is about to blow the doors off his own playbook.

After reshaping primetime with his high-stakes Law & Order, One Chicago, and FBI universes, the television titan is launching what might be his most disruptive—and thrilling—series yet. Enter CIA, a bold new spin-off of FBI that promises not just another procedural, but a volatile partnership, a morally gray antihero, and a long-overdue confrontation between two of America’s most powerful intelligence agencies.

Front and center is Tom Ellis, the charismatic devil himself from Lucifer, stepping into the dangerous world of espionage as Hart Hoxton—a fast-talking, rule-breaking CIA case officer who doesn’t believe in coloring inside the lines. Pair him with a yet-to-be-cast FBI agent who operates strictly by the book, and you have the explosive tension of two opposing forces forced to work as one.

Set to premiere during the 2025-2026 season on CBS, CIA doesn’t just promise action. It dares to ask the question: what if the FBI and CIA really did cooperate? Inspired by post-9/11 intelligence failures, the series explores what could have been—and what still might be possible—if the silos between these agencies were torn down. Through high-profile missions, deep betrayals, and clashing ideologies, the series will test not just its characters, but the very premise of justice and national security in the modern world.

Ellis’ character is described as morally ambiguous—a charming manipulator who lies for a living and uses deception as a weapon. It’s a risky move, even for Wolf, whose previous leads have typically skewed toward moral clarity. But that’s the point. Hoxton isn’t your classic hero. He’s messy, brilliant, and dangerous. His likely British accent (a nod to Ellis’ signature sound) will also make him the first non-North American lead in a Dick Wolf network drama—a major break from tradition.

Behind the scenes, the series boasts the powerhouse producing team of Dick Wolf and David Hudgins (of FBI: Most Wanted), alongside Nicole Perlman, David Chasteen, and Peter Jankowski. With Hudgins returning as showrunner, fans can expect the same tight, high-stakes storytelling—just with more international flair and espionage edge.

And while Ellis’ co-star hasn’t been revealed yet, their chemistry—or lack thereof—will be the heartbeat of the show. Expect plenty of friction, ideological clashes, and begrudging respect as this oil-and-water duo navigates the blurred lines of justice.

In short, CIA isn’t just another cog in the FBI machine. It’s a genre-defying gamble that aims to shake up everything we know about procedural drama. And if the early buzz and casting of Tom Ellis are any indication, Dick Wolf might just have his most unpredictable—and addictive—series yet. Get ready. CIA is about to rewrite the rules.