FBI’s CIA Spinoff Changes Strategy In New Development Update Following Most Wanted & International’s Cancellations

FBI‘s CIA spinoff has changed its release strategy in a new development update following the cancellation of both FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International. While FBI was renewed for season 8 and 9, confirming the show’s continuation into 2027, both of its existing spinoffs were cancelled earlier this year. However, the franchise will still be expanding with a spinoff focusing on the CIA, tentatively titled FBI: CIA. The original plan for the new show involved airing a backdoor pilot before its premiere at the tail end of 2025.

Now, a new report from Deadline claims FBI‘s CIA-focused spinoff will no longer be getting a backdoor pilot during season 7 of the flagship show. Instead, CBS is giving it a direct-to-series order, set to air during the 2025-2026 primetime TV season. The original plan was for the backdoor pilot to air during one of the last episodes of season 7, something that kept getting pushed back until it was decided the series would be best introduced with its own independent premiere.

What FBI’s CIA Spinoff Update Means For The Franchise

CBS Has Lots Of Faith In The New Show

The procedural drama’s new spinoff is reported to focus on an FBI agent and CIA agent part of a task force combating plans for domestic terror attacks in New York City. Its premise places the show in the same location as both the flagship show and FBI: Most Wanted, while also offering a new perspective thanks to the inclusion of a major protagonist from a different agency. This latest update means characters in FBI won’t be ushering in the confirmed trio of new faces expected to headline the spinoff, despite their geographic closeness.

Why NBC Will Unlikely Save FBI: Most Wanted & FBI: International From Cancelation (Despite Dick Wolf’s Connections)

CBS canceled FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International ahead of their 2025 finales, but fans shouldn’t get their hopes up that NBC will save them.

It also means CBS won’t be offering a taste of the new show until it begins near the end of 2025, running concurrently with FBI season 8. The show taking the place of what could have been FBI: Most Wanted season 7 and FBI: International season 5 means a big change for its lineup when airing. However, the series’ new premise still promises an interesting combination of agencies, even if that won’t be seen until the spinoff properly begins.

Our Take On The New Release Strategy For FBI: CIA’s Spinoff

It’s Not Unusual For A Spinoff Not To Have A Backdoor Pilot

Zeeko Zaki as OA looking serious next to Missy Peregrym as Maggie looking worried in FBI — Custom image by Nick Bythrow

This won’t be the first time an FBI spinoff hasn’t had a backdoor pilot, with FBI: International not getting one before becoming its own full-fledged spinoff. However, the CIA-centered story could have benefited from one considering it will be replacing two long-running shows in the process. Even so, depending on how intriguing its premise turns out to be, the series can still prove itself a successful entry in the procedural series despite not starting with a direct connection to the main show.