In the spring of 2025, CBS bid farewell to one of its flagship franchises with the cancellation of FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International. The move marked the end of an era for fans of the FBI franchise, leaving a significant void in the network's primetime lineup. However, CBS is quickly moving forward with a new addition to its expanding Dick Wolf universe: CIA, starring Lucifer alum Tom Ellis. But will this new series bring beloved characters from FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International back to the screen? Showrunner David Hudgins has opened up about how closely the upcoming show will tie into the FBI universe, leading to some intriguing possibilities.
A New Era with CIA
Tom Ellis takes on the role of Hart Hoxton, a fast-talking CIA case officer who pairs up with a seasoned FBI agent to tackle high-stakes threats in the United States. This dynamic partnership promises to bring a fresh perspective to the world of crime-solving, with Ellis' character bringing his trademark charm and wit to the role, while his co-star balances out the duo's approach with a more traditional, by-the-book attitude. The series is set to air at 10 p.m. ET on Mondays in the fall of 2025 and is being touted as a significant expansion of CBS' FBI franchise.
Initially, CIA was expected to be a spin-off of FBI, with the working title FBI: CIA. The original concept included the idea of fans getting a sneak peek of the new show in the final episodes of FBI: Most Wanted. However, the series has since been rebranded, and viewers will meet Hoxton and his FBI partner in the premiere episode, which is set in the New York CIA unit.
A Shift in Strategy: The Backdoor Pilot Evolution
David Hudgins, who served as the showrunner for FBI: Most Wanted, explained to CinemaBlend that the decision to change the show’s name was strategic. Originally conceived as a backdoor pilot within FBI, the idea was to introduce the CIA characters to the FBI audience before the official launch. But now, viewers will meet these characters for the first time in the CIA premiere, marking a clean break from the FBI franchise.
This isn't the first time CBS has opted for a soft launch of a new show without a traditional backdoor pilot. In 2021, NCIS: Hawai'i followed a similar path, growing the NCIS universe without relying on a prior series to set the stage. It’s clear that CBS is confident in the appeal of the CIA concept and is eager to establish it as its own entity, even though it shares thematic ties with the larger FBI universe.
How Will CIA Connect to the FBI Shows?
One of the biggest questions fans have is whether characters from FBI: Most Wanted or FBI: International will make appearances in CIA. The potential for crossover has been a topic of much speculation, especially given the connection between the shows within the same procedural universe. However, Hudgins has made it clear that while CIA exists within the same world as FBI, the two shows will have distinct tones and settings.
The New York CIA unit featured in CIA will operate very differently from the FBI field office, and Hudgins suggests that the two shows will focus on different aspects of law enforcement. FBI deals with criminal investigations on a federal level, while CIA will focus more on intelligence and covert operations. This distinction is likely to keep the shows separate, even though they share some thematic elements.
That said, Hudgins hasn’t completely ruled out the possibility of future crossovers. He acknowledged that there is always room for collaboration within a shared universe, but for now, CIA will stand on its own. Fans of the FBI series can still hold out hope for potential guest appearances down the line, but for the time being, CIA will carve its own path.
The Future of CBS’ Procedural Universe
With the cancellation of FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International, CBS has made it clear that they are shifting their focus to new, exciting projects within their procedural lineup. CIA is poised to bring fresh energy to the network, and with Tom Ellis at the helm, there is a lot of potential for the series to become a major hit.
While it remains to be seen whether any FBI characters will make their way to CIA, the show’s connection to the larger FBI universe suggests that there could be opportunities for crossovers in the future. For now, fans can look forward to a thrilling new chapter in the world of law enforcement and intelligence, with plenty of high-stakes drama and action to come.
As the CIA series gets ready for its premiere, it’s clear that CBS is committed to expanding its procedural offerings and creating a rich universe of interconnected shows. Whether or not FBI characters will make an appearance remains uncertain, but one thing is for sure: CIA will bring a fresh, exciting twist to the network's programming.
