CBS sent shockwaves through its fanbase in March 2025 by canceling FBI: International after four seasons, alongside FBI: Most Wanted, citing high production costs despite solid ratings. As fans mourn the loss of the Budapest-based Fly Team, CBS unveils a bold replacement: CIA, a new FBI universe spinoff starring Lucifer’s Tom Ellis, set to premiere in the 2025-2026 season. With unresolved cliffhangers and potential crossovers, this high-octane drama promises to fill the void with a fresh twist.

FBI: International followed the Fly Team tackling global threats, often collaborating with foreign law enforcement, which added a unique flavor to the FBI franchise. Its cancellation left open-ended storylines, notably Vo (Vinessa Vidotto) and Raines (Carter Redwood) vying for a promotion, sparking speculation about their future. Enter CIA, a New York-based series focusing on an unlikely duo: Ellis as a fast-talking, rule-bending CIA case officer and a yet-to-be-cast by-the-book FBI agent. Their clashing styles, described as a “buddy-cop” dynamic, will drive investigations at the CIA’s New York Station, blending covert intrigue with FBI’s procedural grit. Fans on X are buzzing, with one posting, “Tom Ellis in CIA? Count me in! But I’m gutted for FBI: International!”

Originally planned as a backdoor pilot within FBI Season 7, CIA shifted to a straight-to-series order after casting delays, with Ellis’ deal finalized in April 2025. The show faced hurdles, including a showrunner switch from David Hudgins to Warren Leight and a move to a midseason 2026 premiere due to unfinished scripts and ongoing casting for two additional leads. Despite setbacks, production is set to begin this fall, with Eriq La Salle directing the pilot, promising a polished debut. The series, backed by Dick Wolf and Universal Television, aims to capitalize on the FBI franchise’s success, which boasts 8.2 million viewers for the flagship series.

Could FBI: International’s Fly Team appear in CIA? The Season 4 finale’s open-ended promotion arc for Vo and Raines suggests potential U.S.-based roles, possibly as liaisons coordinating with the CIA on major cases. Crossovers are a staple of Wolf’s universe, and while CIA’s New York setting differs from Budapest, virtual or brief appearances by Fly Team members could tie up loose ends. Fans speculate Vo might return stateside, with one X post noting, “Vo in CIA would be epic! Don’t leave her story hanging!”

CIA’s focus on international threats via a CIA lens mirrors FBI: International’s global scope, offering fans a familiar thrill with a new dynamic. As Ellis’ charismatic agent bends rules to fight crime, CIA aims to recapture the franchise’s intensity while introducing fresh faces. Will it live up to the Fly Team’s legacy? Coronation Street’s emotional depth and Emmerdale’s family crises show soaps thrive on personal stakes, but CIA promises high-stakes action, ensuring CBS’s 2025-2026 lineup remains a powerhouse.