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FBI’s CIA spinoff gets disappointing release update

CBS makes a disappointing but not unsurprising decision about CIA in the 2025–2026 TV schedule.
ByAlexandria Ingham|
TELL ME LIES - “Season 2” - Tell Me Lies Season 2 picks up as Lucy Albright (Grace Van Patten) and Stephen DeMarco (Jackson White) return to college, not speaking after their dramatic breakup at the start of the summer. Yet while very much at odds, they find themselves in a new version of their addictive dynamic - which is as infuriating as it is inescapable. Meanwhile, the story expands deeper into the lives of Lucy and Stephen’s friend group, as the fallout from Season One impacts all of their
TELL ME LIES - “Season 2” - Tell Me Lies Season 2 picks up as Lucy Albright (Grace Van Patten) and Stephen DeMarco (Jackson White) return to college, not speaking after their dramatic breakup at the start of the summer. Yet while very much at odds, they find themselves in a new version of their addictive dynamic - which is as infuriating as it is inescapable. Meanwhile, the story expands deeper into the lives of Lucy and Stephen’s friend group, as the fallout from Season One impacts all of their

There’s no doubt many are ready for Tom Ellis to return to our broadcast screens, and that was originally set for the fall with FBI’s latest spinoff series, CIA. Well, there is some disappointing, albeit not surprising, bad news.

Don’t worry; CIA is still officially happening. However, it’s not going to be part of the fall 2025 schedule on CBS. This is news that we expected to hear after the latest updates about casting — well, the lack of it!

A New Day
“A New Day” - After Jubal narrowly escapes a calculated assault on a secret FBI office, the team discovers an anti-government group has infiltrated the FBI. Unsure of who to trust, the team must work in the shadows to unmask the culprits threatening the sanctity of the New York field office, on the seventh season finale of FBI, Tuesday, May 20 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on

CIA will move to the midseason on CBS in 2025–2026

When CBS initially announced its fall schedule, CIA was set to air on Monday nights, following the eighth season of the flagship FBI series. Since the franchise now only has two shows airing, it made more sense to move that franchise to Mondays and put the NCIS franchise on Tuesdays, since there are three shows.

However, then the premiere dates came out, and we learned that CIA was no longer on the list. Instead, Watson had moved into that timeslot.

What was going on? Well, CBS has decided to hold CIA to the midseason, and the decision is a smart move. After all, the only cast member announced is Tom Ellis, and for a fall start, filming would need to start this month!

I Can See Right Through Myself
TELL ME LIES - “I Can See Right Through Myself” - Stephen baits Lucy as she attempts to rid herself of him once and for all. Wrigley and Pippa finally talk. (Disney/Josh Stringer) TOM ELLIS

What’s happening with CIA?

It’s likely now that CIA will be reduced to a 13-episode season, which also makes sense for a new show. We’ll also likely see it premiere in January or February, pending the day of the week it will air. It’s possible that Watson will move back to Sundays in the midseason, putting CIA on after FBI.

What’s the reasoning behind the delay? Well, it all comes down to some creative differences. David Hudgins, who was behind FBI: Most Wanted, was originally set to be showrunner on the new series. Now he has stepped away, according to Deadline, with Warren Leight, who has served as Law & Order: SVU twice.

There still doesn’t seem to be any plans for any of the FBI: International or FBI: Most Wanted characters to appear in the new series, which should be revisited. If CIA is to be a success, it would be great to have Vo return as the FBI agent in charge in the team. This offers closure and answers for her character, while also bringing in a known character for fans who are fed up of waiting for the new series.

CIA will now air in 2026 on CBS.

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