FBI Spin-off CIA: A Bumpy Road to the Screen

The FBI franchise has had its share of ups and downs, and the latest spin-off, CIA, is no exception. The problems with CIA's development are not entirely surprising, given the franchise's past.

A History of Spin-Offs

The original series, FBI, had two successful spin-offs before CIA was announced. However, in 2025, CBS canceled both FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted, despite decent ratings.

Delays and Production Issues

Originally, FBI season 8 and CIA season 1 were supposed to air together. But, delays in casting and production pushed CIA's premiere to spring 2026. These delays might have been avoided if CBS and Wolf Entertainment had stuck to their original plan.

The Backdoor Pilot Problem

Backdoor pilots are a common way to introduce spin-offs. They allow the original series' audience to get a taste of the new show. FBI: Most Wanted was introduced this way in 2018. However, CIA's backdoor pilot was scrapped at the last minute. This change hinted at the troubles CIA was facing.

Instead of a backdoor pilot, the FBI season 7 finale hinted at CIA's existence by introducing a terrorist group called Forefront. But, the series and its characters were not introduced or mentioned. This lack of introduction suggests that CIA's development was already off track.

Casting and Showrunner Changes

CIA's development has been rocky. The lead role is the only major casting announcement so far. This suggests that finding the right actors has been a challenge. Additionally, the series changed showrunners mid-development. SVU alum Warren Leight is now spearheading the project.

Current Status

These issues have put CIA far behind its original schedule. The series cannot produce a pilot until all major roles are cast. It is also unclear if a pilot script has been finalized yet. Hopefully, FBI season 8 will include a backdoor pilot. But, the fact that none was made during season 7 shows that CIA has had problems from the start.