The FBI franchise isn’t looking as healthy as it once did. CBS has canceled both FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted, and now eyes are on what could happen to the potential spin-off series.
Earlier this year, CBS shared that there was a planned spin-off series titled FBI: CIA. This led to the suspicion that we would see one of the other franchised shows being canceled, but not both of them! So, is the cancellation of the two shows good or bad for the potential spin-off?
CBS opens more slots by cancelling FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted
The decision to cancel two shows was a surprise. Many of us expected one of the shows to be canceled to slot FBI: CIA somewhere into FBI Night. Cancelling one would open up a timeslot for the new series. The question was always which one of the two it would be. International was the only show to film outside of the U.S. and Most Wanted had the lowest linear ratings.
Well, by cancelling both of the shows, it opens up more timeslots. This gives CIA a better chance, as there is less working against it come May, which is when the pilots are usually picked up or dropped.
There is already a packed schedule for the 2025–2026 season, and there are multiple pilots in contention right now. The more slots available, the better for all of the shows.
CBS is still looking at FBI: CIA
When Deadline announced the cancellation of both International and Most Wanted, it came with the news that CIA was still in the works. In fact, Deadline helped to cement the idea that the series would end up being picked up.
This series is set to air a backdoor pilot within the flagship series. Several actors are currently in negotiations, and there is hope that the project will get a straight-to-series order depending on the talent that joins. This could mean we’re not waiting until May for answers, and that it’s pretty much expected that this will be one of the shows in the 2025–2026 season.
The FBI franchise currently airs on Tuesdays starting at 8/7c on CBS.
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