FBI’s CIA spinoff has changed its release strategy in a new development update following the cancellation of bothFBI: Most WantedandFBI: International. WhileFBIwas renewed for season 8and 9, confirming the show’s continuation into 2027, both of its existing spinoffs were cancelled earlier this year. However, the franchise will still be expanding with a spinoff focusing on the CIA, tentatively titledFBI: CIA. The original plan for the new show involved airing a backdoor pilot before its premiere at the tail end of 2025.
Now, a new report fromDeadlineclaimsFBI’s CIA-focused spinoff will no longer be getting a backdoor pilot during season 7 of the flagship show. Instead,CBS is giving it a direct-to-series order, set to air during the 2025-2026 primetime TV season. The original plan was for the backdoor pilot to air during one of the last episodes of season 7, something that kept getting pushed back until it was decided the series would be best introduced with its own independent premiere.
What FBI’s CIA Spinoff Update Means For The Franchise
CBS Has Lots Of Faith In The New Show
The procedural drama’s new spinoff is reported to focus onan FBI agent and CIA agent part of a task force combating plans for domestic terror attacks in New York City. Its premise places the show in the same location as both the flagship show andFBI: Most Wanted, while also offering a new perspective thanks to the inclusion of a major protagonist from a different agency. This latest update meanscharacters inFBIwon’t be ushering in the confirmed trio of new faces expected to headline the spinoff, despite their geographic closeness.
Why NBC Will Unlikely Save FBI: Most Wanted & FBI: International From Cancelation (Despite Dick Wolf’s Connections)
CBS canceled FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International ahead of their 2025 finales, but fans shouldn’t get their hopes up that NBC will save them.
It also meansCBS won’t be offering a taste of the new show until it begins near the end of 2025, running concurrently withFBIseason 8. The show taking the place of what could have beenFBI: Most Wantedseason 7andFBI: Internationalseason 5means a big change for its lineup when airing. However, the series' new premise still promises an interesting combination of agencies, even if that won’t be seen until the spinoff properly begins.
Our Take On The New Release Strategy For FBI: CIA’s Spinoff
It’s Not Unusual For A Spinoff Not To Have A Backdoor Pilot
This won’t be the first time anFBIspinoff hasn’t had a backdoor pilot, withFBI: Internationalnot getting one before becoming its own full-fledged spinoff. However, the CIA-centered story could have benefited from one considering it will be replacing two long-running shows in the process. Even so, depending on how intriguing its premise turns out to be, the series can still prove itself a successful entry in the procedural series despite not starting with a direct connection to the main show.
2018-present
2020-2025
2021-2025
UntitledFBICIA spinoff
2025-TBA
FBI
Cast
FBI is a procedural drama that explores the workings of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New York office as dedicated agents tackle high-stakes cases involving terrorism, organized crime, and various formidable threats.
