“There will be many ups and downs”: CIA showrunner reveals what the FBI spin-off will look like

CBS’s FBI universe is changing its course with the introduction of the CIA this year. The spin-off series was announced in April 2025, following the cancellations of FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted.

The new show will star Tom Ellis in the lead role of an officer who does not like to play by the books. He has to team up with another agent who has starkly different operating methods and is a follower of rules.

David Hudgins, who serves as the showrunner on the spin-off, has now teased what the show will look like. In a recent interview with TVInsider, Hudgins revealed that the series will have a very different style of storytelling, with the dynamics between the two leads being at the center of the narrative:

“The dynamic between these two is what I hope will be the hook of the show. A-stories and ‘crimes of the week’ are always crucial but with CIA, we have this added layer of relationship between our two main ‘odd-couple’ characters. I think people will want to tune in to see what’s going to happen next with these two, because there will be many ups and downs.”

CIA showrunner reveals what to expect from the show

David Hudgins added that the show will feature cases from both the Central Intelligence Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation worlds, but at its core, it will still be about the relationship between the two leads. He further revealed that though the spin-off is set in the same universe as FBI, it will have its own identity:

“CIA is its own show, although it does exist in the universe of the mother ship FBI.”

The new show was reported to be in development in January this year and was picked up by CBS for the 2025-2026 schedule in April. Hudgins is writing the script along with Dick Wolf, the creator of the FBI franchise. As per the synopsis, the two lead agents will collaborate and realize that their differences are their strength:

“CIA is a one hour crime drama centered on two unlikely partners - a fast-talking, rule-breaking loose cannon case officer, and a by-the-book, seasoned and smart FBI agent who believes in the rule of law.”

“When this odd couple are assigned to work out of CIA’s New York Station, they must learn to work together to investigate cases and criminals posing threats on U.S. soil, finding that their differences may actually be their strength,” it concluded.

As of now, only Tom Ellis has been announced as the lead cast member, while the details about his co-lead remain under wraps. Ellis, known for his roles in Lucifer, Tell Me Lies, and Rush, will play Hart Hoxton in the series.

The executive producers include Dick Wolf, David Hudgins, David Chasteen, Peter Jankowski, and Nicole Perlman. The show will premiere on CBS this fall and will air after FBI on Mondays.

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