CBS is expanding its FBI universe, venturing beyond the bureau's confines with its latest dramatic series order. The network has greenlit a straight-to-series command for "CIA," a thriller set in the same imaginative realm as "FBI" but spotlighting, as the title hints, the Central Intelligence Agency. Tom Ellis, renowned for his roles in "Lucifer" and "Tell Me Lies," will take the lead in this series, which, akin to "FBI," originates from Universal Television, Dick Wolf's Wolf Entertainment, and CBS Studios.
The commissioning of "CIA" signifies that Wolf will maintain a multifaceted presence at CBS during the 2025-26 season. "FBI" is currently in its first year of a three-season renewal that will extend its run until 2026-27, despite the network axing the spinoffs "FBI: International" and "FBI: Most Wanted" in March.
Initially conceived as an embedded offshoot of "FBI" (with a whimsical working title of "FBI: CIA"), "CIA" was intended to introduce its characters in a late-season episode of the parent series. However, CBS and the producers decided against this path, opting instead to secure a direct-to-series pickup.
The series will revolve around "two unlikely partners: a quick-witted, rule-breaking, unpredictable CIA case officer (Ellis) and a meticulous, seasoned, and astute FBI agent who stands firmly by the rule of law," according to the show's premise. "When this peculiar duo is tasked with operating out of the CIA's New York Station, they must navigate their differences to collaborate on investigating cases and criminals posing threats within U.S. borders, realizing that their contrasts might actually be their greatest asset."
David Hudgins, the former showrunner of "FBI: Most Wanted," will reprise his role on "CIA," executive producing alongside Wolf, Nicole Perlman, David Chasteen, and Peter Jankowski of Wolf Entertainment.
Ellis is represented by CAA, Anonymous Content, Hamilton Hodell, Johnson Shapiro, and Personal PR.
"CIA" joins "Boston Blue" and "Sheriff Country" on CBS' roster for the 2025-26 season. Keep abreast of all network series orders, renewals, and cancellations with THR's comprehensive broadcast scorecard.
