CBS delays CIA starring Tom Ellis and Watson Season 2, reason for the delay explained

If you were on the edge of your seat waiting for the premiere of CBS's new CIA series with Tom Ellis or Watson Season 2, you're not alone—and you're likely annoyed by the drastic schedule change. The much-anticipated CIA, a spin-off of the FBI franchise, and the contemporary detective drama Watson have been delayed, leaving viewers starved for information.

Why?

A combination of behind-the-scenes shifts, creative recalibrations, and strategic scheduling maneuvers by CBS.

Let's tease out exactly what's going on, why the delays happened, and what it means to your fall TV schedule.

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Why did CBS push back CIA, starring Tom Ellis?

The CIA drama series, starring Tom Ellis as the handsome, rule-bending CIA case officer Hart Hoxton, was initially marked for a fall 2025 launch. CBS has now bumped the show to midseason, however.

The rescheduling is due to a mix of reasons:

Showrunner shakeup: David Hudgins, who was originally going to produce CIA and co-write its pilot, has left the show. Warren Leight, a Law & Order alum, is taking over as the new showrunner.

Casting and creative challenges: Initially, they planned to debut Ellis's character and two other characters in a special FBI episode, but constant casting hold-ups pushed CBS to drop that plan. Currently, only Tom Ellis is officially cast, and the writers' room has allegedly yet to have final scripts nailed down.

Unproduced scripts: Although the writers' room is in operation, there are no produced scripts available for production, so a fall launch is not possible.

Questions of creative direction: CBS and the creative team have been reworking the vision of the CIA series, another reason for the delay.

Each of these problems cumulatively compelled CBS to reschedule CIA to a midseason launch, allowing the team more time to reboot and present a refined product.

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Watson Season 2: Why the delay?

Watson, which combines Sherlock Holmes mythology with a contemporary medical spin, was a ratings smash for CBS. Following a well-received initial season, the show was picked up for Season 2, but enthusiasts are going to have to wait slightly longer than anticipated.

Schedule shuffling: The show originally was going to return midseason, but CBS has now shifted it to fall programming.

Strategic positioning: CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach said the cancellation of The Equalizer allowed the network to create an optimized Sunday night lineup. The show will follow after the new seasons of Tracker and a Yellowstone spinoff, presumably enjoying strong lead-ins.

No production hitches: Contrary to CIA, the holdup of season 2 is not the result of production or creative difficulties. Rather, it's an organic decision to get the most coverage and capitalize on a rearranged schedule.

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What does this mean for the fans?

For both CIA and Watson fans, the postponements are a double-edged sword. While the wait is longer, the additional time may translate to a better product, particularly for CIA, which is still building its cast and scripts. Watson, on the other hand, will reap the reward of a peak fall timeslot and robust network support.

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The big picture: CBS's Fall 2025 strategy

CBS's move to postpone CIA and retime Watson is part of the network's overall strategy:

Quality over speed: By holding off on CIA, CBS is valuing creative quality and a powerful premiere over putting an incomplete show on the air as quickly as possible.

Optimizing Lineup: Moving Watson to the fall allows it to get the most exposure, particularly with large lead-ins on Sunday nights.

Franchise evolution: As the FBI franchise continues to evolve and new spin-offs such as CIA are on the horizon, CBS is managing its brand and audience expectations carefully.

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In a nutshell? Yes, the delays are disappointing, but they're also a product of CBS's desire to bring the very best versions of CIA with Tom Ellis and Watson Season 2. Wait patiently—good things come to those who wait.