The FBI universe is expanding once again, and this time, it’s taking us behind the scenes of a high-stakes international espionage operation. CBS has announced the upcoming premiere of CIA, a new spinoff of the hit FBI franchise, which promises to bring a fresh dynamic to the network’s primetime lineup. Here’s everything we know so far about this exciting new show, including the cast, premiere date, and what fans can expect.
The Plot: A Tense Partnership Between Opposites
At the heart of CIA is an unlikely partnership between two highly skilled—but completely different—agents: one from the CIA and one from the FBI. Tom Ellis, best known for his role in Lucifer, will star as the fast-talking, rule-breaking CIA case officer, bringing his signature charm and unpredictability to the role. His character, described as a loose-cannon agent, will be forced to work alongside a by-the-book, seasoned FBI agent who takes a more methodical approach to solving cases.
The series will be set at CIA’s New York Station, where these two opposites must learn to collaborate in order to tackle dangerous cases and uncover threats to U.S. soil. Their differences, which initially seem like obstacles, will eventually become their strength, driving the heart of the drama as they tackle both international and domestic threats. The premise of the show plays on the classic “odd couple” dynamic, with plenty of action, suspense, and character development on the horizon.
Cast and Crew: Tom Ellis Leads a New Adventure
As of now, CIA has announced Tom Ellis as its lead, which has already generated excitement among fans of his work. His character’s fast-paced, high-risk approach to his work will provide the kind of unpredictability that Ellis is known for. Alongside Ellis, the series will feature a strong supporting cast, although details on other cast members have yet to be confirmed.
The show is also being directed and executive produced by Eriq La Salle, a familiar name in the world of Dick Wolf productions. La Salle has been behind the camera for several successful shows in the One Chicago franchise, including Chicago P.D., making him a perfect fit for a high-octane drama like CIA. He will be working alongside an experienced team of executive producers, including CIA showrunner David Hudgins, Nicole Perlman, David Chasteen, and Peter Jankowski, all of whom bring years of experience from their work on Law & Order and Chicago P.D..
Premiere Date and Network Scheduling
Originally slated to air in the fall, CIA will now debut as a midseason replacement in 2026. CBS made this scheduling change in favor of Watson Season 2, which will occupy its original timeslot. CIA will still air on Mondays, taking the 10/9c time slot after FBI. Fans of the One Chicago and FBI franchises can look forward to this action-packed series, which is set to bring a new dimension to the network’s procedural lineup.
What We’re Missing: No FBI Crossover Yet
As of now, there have been no confirmed crossovers with characters from the FBI shows—FBI, FBI: Most Wanted, or FBI: International. However, with the show set in the same universe, it’s possible that familiar faces could make appearances in future episodes, whether as guest stars or in larger crossover events. For now, though, CIA stands as its own entity, with a unique story and a fresh set of characters.
FBI: International and Most Wanted Departures Leave a Void
While the excitement around CIA builds, it’s hard to ignore the departures of FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted, both of which were recently canceled after their fourth and sixth seasons, respectively. The loss of these shows marks the end of an era in the FBI franchise, leaving a hole that CIA hopes to fill. Fans of FBI: International will be eager to see how the new series handles international operations and whether it will capture the same energy that the canceled spinoff had when it was at its peak.
A New Chapter in the FBI Universe
CIA is poised to breathe new life into the FBI franchise, with its blend of international espionage, tense partnerships, and explosive drama. Whether it can live up to the legacy of its predecessors remains to be seen, but the potential for a gripping, character-driven narrative is certainly there. Fans of the FBI universe and Tom Ellis will have a lot to look forward to when CIA premieres in 2026. As FBI continues to evolve, CIA offers an exciting new chapter to the franchise—one that promises to explore the complexities of international law enforcement in a way we haven’t seen before.
