The original plan for FBI: CIA was to have a backdoor pilot in the flagship series. While that’s fun, the new plan is a lot better. CBS is looking at a straight-to-series order.
Spin-offs can work both ways. We’ve seen some great success with backdoor pilots as a way to introduce characters. In fact, FBI: Most Wanted got a backdoor pilot in FBI’s second season. The backdoor pilots offer networks a chance to see if there is interest in a series or in characters. For example, Supernatural thought it had a great idea with the Bloodlines spin-off, only for the backdoor pilot to fail with the fans.
At the same time, straight-to-series orders can also work well. FBI: International didn’t get a backdoor pilot and instead was introduced with a three-way crossover event with FBI and Most Wanted. This offered more time to get to know the individual characters of the new series.
Why isn’t FBI: CIA getting a backdoor pilot?
The original plan was for the new spin-off series to get a backdoor pilot. Based on reports from Deadline, casting negotiations for the male lead are still going on. While the plan was originally to air the backdoor pilot in episode 19, it had to be pushed to episode 20 and then 21. By that point, the show was hitting the finale, so scrapping the idea completely was best.
It does mean that the series isn’t trying to rush things. It’s important to get the perfect person for the role, especially when it comes to a lead. CBS willing to work with the show makes it clear that there is interest at the network for it. Otherwise, it would be easy to say “well, we’ll go in a completely different direction.”
This is a great direction, as well. With a straight-to-series order, there is more time to flesh out and introduce the new characters. In a backdoor pilot, they need to interact with the main characters of the flagship series. This leads to some conflict, which can lead to the new characters becoming unlikable before their show has even begun. By avoiding them clashing with our already favorite characters, there’s time to get to know them in their own element.
A backdoor pilot with the main FBI series was already going to make things tricky. The CIA doesn’t work on U.S. soil. The best backdoor pilot would have been with FBI: International, as the Fly Team and CIA can end up working together — I’d even love to see Vo leave the Fly Team to work with the CIA.
A title change is likely coming to the new FBI spin-off
There is a title change reportedly coming, and that also likely makes a lot of sense. The use of the colons is getting a little overdone now with spin-off shows, and I’d love to see just a new title. That could make it seem not quite in the same universe, but other spin-offs in the past have managed it. Just look at Angel being a spin-off of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and NCIS being a spin-off of JAG.
It’s going to be interesting to see the new spin-off series and how it works. Right now, CBS hasn’t confirmed it’s definitely happening, but with the other two spin-offs now canceled, it more than likely is to keep the franchise going in some way.
FBI airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on CBS. Catch up with Paramount+.
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