EXCLUSIVE: There has been a change of plans for the FBI spinoff with a CIA twist in the works at CBS. Originally announced as a planted spinoff, the project, tentatively titled FBI: CIA — a title I hear is expected to change — was to be introduced in an episode of the mothership series this spring serving as a backdoor pilot.
According to sources, that is no longer happening. But the new spinoff could still join the mothership on the 2025-26 schedule with a straight-to-series order. Casting negotiations for the male lead continue, I hear. (So far, FBI is the only series from the procedural franchise set for next season after securing a three-year renewal last spring; offshoots FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International are coming to an end in May.)
Written by Wolf, FBI: Most Wanted showrunner David Hudgins, Nicole Perlman and former CIA officer David Chasteen, the proposed offshoot centers on a dedicated, strait-laced FBI agent and a street-smart CIA agent who are part of a new, clandestine task force charged with solving and preventing domestic terrorism in and around New York City.
Originally, three characters — including an FBI agent and CIA agent — were supposed to be introduced in a planted spinoff episode of FBI. I hear that initially was supposed to be Episode 19. With casting continuing but no one set, it was pushed to Ep. 20, then to 21. Eventually a decision was made not to do a planted spinoff episode of FBI, which is wrapping production on its seventh season soon. Actors held for the third role in the potential backdoor pilot, were released, I hear.
Reps for CBS and FBI producers Wolf Entertainment and Universal Television declined comment.
Deadline reported when CBS canceled both spinoff series FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International earlier this month that the network was mulling a straight-to-series order for the new offshoot, then known as FBI: CIA, a title that was met with mixed reaction and will now change, I hear.
That is still very much a possibility depending how the casting negotiations pan out, I hear.
FBI’s CIA spinoff is executive produced by Wolf, Hudgins, Perlman, Chasteen and Wolf Entertainment’s Peter Jankowski. Like the rest of the FBI franchise, the series would be produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, and CBS Studios.
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