Could the new casting news about FBI’s CIA spinoff mean trouble for the new series? It may not be promising!
Usually, July is the time when TV shows start kicking into gear for the fall season. With networks wanting to get as many episodes in the can as possible, just in case of unexpected interruptions (say, a pandemic or a massive Hollywood strike), series need to jump into filming quickly.
So that’s why it should be a tad concerning that, with only a few months before the fall season, CBS has not announced any further castings for the big FBI spinoff, CIA. They did announce that Tom Ellis (who starred in Lucifer) will play one of the agents involved, but nothing else yet.
The spinoff is obviously about the CIA, which technically isn’t supposed to operate on U.S. soil. They thus link with an FBI team for missions. Ellis plays a maverick CIA operative who’s paired with a younger FBI agent, presumably female.
That built excitement and fans anticipating more news on casting to come…but only crickets. Now, a report suggests that this spinoff may be in bigger trouble than expected!
What’s happening with CIA?
A TVLine piece had a reader asking if there was a chance for any characters from FBI: International or FBI: Most Wanted to appear on FBI: CIA. The article noted that not only is there no word on that, but so far, there is zero casting news outside of Ellis.
According to sources, the new show is in a “holding pattern” as “scripts underwent further polishing.” For a show that was meant to premiere this fall, this isn’t exactly a promising sign. It also shows how the development has been flawed from the start.
The original plan was for a late-season 7 FBI episode to act as a “backdoor pilot” introducing the CIA characters, much like how FBI: Most Wanted was introduced. That changed with CBS ordering CIA right to series which was then followed by canceling the other two spinoffs.
Getting rid of two FBI shows was a stunning move and should have paved the way for Wolf Entertainment to focus on the new spinoff. Instead, it’s mid-July and the series hasn’t gotten past casting anyone except its main star.
CIA will no longer premiere in fall 2025
It's now confirmed that FBI: CIA will not premiere this fall but is being held until midseason. Also, Warren Leight is replacing David Hudgins as showrunner, indicating the creative issues are bigger than already reported.
One would think CBS would know how to create a fourth FBI show and they had this planned for a while. With other shows kicking into filming now and cast announcements all over the place, the lack of progress on the latest entry in a major CBS franchise is downright baffling.
Hopefully, this gets settled and further castings are announced. Perhaps taking their time to make sure the show gets off on the right foot will work out. Still, it has to be concerning that CBS is dragging its feet on who will be in the newest FBI show and worrying fans on the fate of FBI:CIA.
FBI: CIA premieres Mondays this fall on CBS.
Stay tuned to Precinct TV for news and updates.