Martinez’s casting on FBI comes just days after a few disappointing updates coming out of FBI‘s newest upcoming spin-off, CIA. The show will be led by Tom Ellis (Lucifer), who will play Hart Hoxton. The show was originally slated for a fall release alongside the eighth season of FBI, but it was revealed on Friday that the series would instead be pushed to a midseason premiere. There’s not been much movement on the series development publicly, so it’s not a huge surprise but a disappointing one regardless for fans. Tom Ellis is the only confirmed cast member even after the recent news.

“This new CIA show is something that I’m hoping to be a part of. I hope that Jubal Valentine can help out with the CIA situation, but you don’t know. We don’t know if it will happen. I don’t know if I will get the call. We’ll see. But Jubal would love it. Alright, what’s next?”

The landscape of the “FBI” universe on CBS is certainly in a state of flux, and the news surrounding the upcoming “CIA” spinoff, coupled with Juliana Aidén Martinez’s casting on the flagship FBI show, paints a picture of a network grappling with scheduling, economics, and creative development.

The cancellation of FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted, despite their “solid ratings,” sends a clear message about the evolving priorities at CBS. The recent confirmation that these decisions were primarily financial, with the shows “not penciling out,” underscores that even successful shows are vulnerable in a competitive and cost-conscious broadcast environment. Networks are constantly evaluating the economic viability of their programming, and sometimes, even good viewership numbers aren’t enough to justify the production costs, especially for shows that might be more expensive to produce due to their scope or filming locations. This move leaves the original FBI as the sole representative of the franchise for the fall season, putting more pressure on its performance and on CIA to eventually fill the void.

The delay of CIA to a midseason premiere is indeed a “disappointing” update for fans and an indicator of the challenges in launching a new series, even within an established franchise. The reasons cited – “no ready scripts” and “no additional castings other than Ellis” – point to significant early-stage production hurdles. While Tom Ellis is a strong lead, a show cannot move forward without a full cast and a solid script foundation. The fact that the showrunner, David Hudgins, has been replaced by “Law & Order” veteran Warren Leight, further suggests a creative re-evaluation and a desire to ensure the show is perfectly positioned before its debut. Leight’s experience with long-running procedurals and his ability to craft compelling narratives within the Dick Wolf universe will be crucial in getting CIA on track.

The sentiment expressed by Jeremy Sisto, who plays Jubal Valentine on FBI, about hoping to be “a part of” the CIA show and that “Jubal would love it,” is a testament to the interconnected nature of the Dick Wolf franchises. While CIA is intended to be a separate entity, the possibility of crossovers is always a fan favorite and a way to build buzz. Given that CIA will feature a partnership between a CIA officer and an FBI agent working on domestic threats, the potential for interactions with characters from the main FBI series, like Jubal, seems highly plausible and would be a welcome development for viewers. However, with the show still in early development, these crossovers would likely be further down the line once CIA has established its own identity and footing.

In summary:

• Network Strategy and Economics: The cancellations of FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted highlight a shift in network strategy, prioritizing fiscal responsibility even for shows with decent ratings.

• “CIA” Development Hurdles: The delay of CIA and the showrunner change signal that the series is undergoing a significant retooling in its early stages. The lack of scripts and full casting points to a more deliberate, albeit slower, development process.

• New Creative Vision: Warren Leight’s appointment as showrunner suggests a renewed focus on the creative direction of CIA, aiming to ensure a strong and well-defined series from the outset.

• Crossover Potential Remains: Despite the delays, the desire for crossovers from actors like Jeremy Sisto indicates that the interconnectedness of the Dick Wolf universe remains a draw, and once CIA is off the ground, such character appearances could be a strong selling point.

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The coming months will be critical for CIA as it races to assemble its cast and finalize its scripts under new leadership, aiming for a successful midseason launch that can fill the void left by its cancelled sister shows and carve out its own unique place in the constantly expanding world of Dick Wolf’s procedurals.