‘CIA’ Recasting: Necar Zadegan to Fill Michael Michele’s Role
Soon after the new FBI offshoot joining the CBS lineup in the 2025-2026 season got a premiere date, there has been notable casting news for CIA: The role left vacant following Michael Michele‘s departure has been filled.
Necar Zadegan will now be playing the Chief of Station, Deadline reports. According to the outlet, FBI showrunner Mike Weiss is also now officially the series’ new showrunner.
The series was ordered to series on April 22, 2025, and Tom Ellis was the first cast, as the CIA lead working alongside an FBI agent (Nick Gehlfuss, who later joined the series). CIA was originally going to be a planted spinoff on FBI, but ultimately, it is now a universe expansion. It was initially going to be airing in the fall, joining FBI on Monday nights, but when CBS announced its premiere dates in July, that included a change for its schedule.
Read on for everything we know about one of CBS’s new series coming in the 2025-2026 season, including when it will premiere, who’s in the cast, and more.
When is the CIA premiere date?
CIA was originally set to air in the fall, Mondays at 10/9c after FBI. It will still air in that timeslot, with the premiere date set for Monday, February 23.
What is CIA about?
The crime drama is centered on two unlikely partners: a fast-talking, rule-breaking, loose-cannon CIA case officer (Tom Ellis) and a by-the-book, seasoned, and smart FBI agent (Nick Gehlfuss) who believes in the rule of law. When this odd couple gets 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 set of differences may actually be their strength.
Who will star in CIA?
The first cast member to be announced was Tom Ellis as the fast-talking, rule-breaking, loose-cannon CIA case officer.
Joining him are Nick Gehlfuss as the by-the-book, seasoned, and smart FBI agent, Bill Goodman, who believes in the rule of the law, Necar Zadegan as the Chief of Station, and Natalee Linez as a CIA analyst.
“His name is Bill and not Will. It’s such a hard stretch to go from a Will to a Bill. You have no idea,” Gehlfuss told TV Insider with a laugh in October. “He is a by the book FBI agent, so, very much different than Will going by his own rules. And he is teamed up with essentially a Will Halsted of the CIA, played by Tom Ellis. And so it is a wonderful collision of the odd couple in a way. And yeah, please tune into that. If you like Will, you’ll love Bill.”
Michael Michele was set to play the head of the CIA’s New York Station, but she exited the series, Deadline announced on November 1. It’s unclear if the role will be recast. Then, on November 3, Deadline announced that Eriq La Salle, who directed the series premiere, has exited as an executive producer.
Following those exits came news on November 6 that the series is looking for another showrunner. Warren Leight “stepped back,” according to Variety. He was the second showrunner for the FBI offshoot (David Hudgins, who headed FBI: Most Wanted, was the first).
Has CIA started filming?
Yes. “We start shooting in September because we’re going to be a midseason [show],” Ellis told Collider in August.
He added, “We haven’t done a pilot, which is a really strange experience for me. That normally is your time for finding your character, finding out what the show is, experimenting with tone, and all those different things. We haven’t got there yet. But the script is in a really great place. They’re still casting at the moment. We’re trying to find the person I’m going to play opposite, essentially. What I would say is that I’ve had a great time with the people from Dick Wolf Productions. They’ve been incredibly enthusiastic and supportive about what we’re doing. I think there is a shared feeling that we would like to really make our mark as a show. I think initially we were going to be a spin out series from FBI. The more it’s gone on, I think we’re actually gaining our own identity.”
Is there a CIA trailer?
Not yet. It’s too early. But there is a photo below that shows Ellis and Gehlfuss in character.
CBS
Will any FBI characters appear in the new series?
None have been announced as of yet.
What’s the status of the other shows in the FBI universe?
FBI has been renewed for Seasons 8 and 9 (part of a three-year pickup). The spinoffs International and Most Wanted were canceled and ended with their fourth and sixth seasons, respectively.
CIA, Series Premiere, Monday, February 23, 2026, 10/9c, CBS
Conversation31 Comments
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C
I love all three FBI's. Howver, I am highly disappointed that both International and Most Wanted being canceled. Both are excellent shows.
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B
Cannot believe CBS is canceling FBI international and Most Wanted. It was Fun having three FBI
shows on Tuesday Night. My favorite night to watch TV. This was a bad choice!!.
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G
Out of the 3 FBI series, International is IMO the best one. The addition of Jessie Lee Soffer and Jay Hayden just made International even more compelling! I do like the Original FBI, but why wouldn't you keep International as well? The new CIA series with Tom Ellis would fit right in with FBI and FBI International. Listen to the fans CBS!!!
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P
International is the best FBI series
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C
FBI International is the best out of the 3 FBIs and it's being canceled! CBS your ratings will drop.
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C
I REALLY REALLY enjoy international - am tired of FBI … will miss all my international cast- the show keeps us wondering until the end!!!
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C
I don't know how anyone could get tired of the Original FBI but everyone is entitled to their opinions. I love it ! The most recent episode about the drones that cause explosions was awesome!
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R
I FBI International. Stories were great. Wonderful visits to places in Europe most people find beautiful. The character development and chemistry was outstanding.
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P
I'm hoping they cast David Boreanaz as the other "by the book" partner in CIA. Hoping!
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C
I love the Original FBI Series! And I am so Excited for CIA! I love Tom Ellis! I loved him as Lucifer and as Oliver on Tell Me Lies! So really Looking forward to this New Series! Can't wait to find out who will play the FBI agent he has to partner with !
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B
It's a shame, but I saw it coming. I loved International until they got rid of Forrester, and hated his replacement. And Most Wanted was good, but never as good as the original. So, I can see why this happened. I mean, I'm behind on all of them at this point from last season, but if other people did the same thing I did... I'm on S7 ep15 of the original FBI, And EP4 of International & EP6 of Most Wanted. They just weren't as compelling anymore. 😞
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G
I have been a fan of CBS crime shows for years. I now have to find another network that doesn’t just cancel shows that are ranking high and get cancelled because they have great Black actors/actresses in them. This is how it appears to me whether that is the case or not. Think about who are acting in the series. You are sending the wrong message! I’m just saying….
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G
Love Tom Ellis as Lucifer. Watching now on Netflix. Humorous, smart, sarcastic with a smile. Absolutely love the show! If CBS has him play similar character on CIA will definitely be entertaining and not the usual depressing police type show.
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P
I love all of the FBI shows. Most Wanted is definitely the best one I can’t believe they canceled it. Hopefully peacock will pick it up like they did with Law & Order: OC
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P
My most favorite was the original FBI... 2ND was FBI Most Wanted... last was International...
I'm not so crazy of the way the lineups are layed out for the new season this year except for Friday night
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E
They Should Cast David Boreanaz,Jesse Lee Sofer,Sophia Bush,Tracy Spiridakos,Sunny From Seal Team,Street From S.W.A.T.,Both Detective Danny"Danno"Williams And Steve McGarret From Hawii Five-O-
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R
So how is a cia and fbi work together in united state when cia not allowed to operated with inside the us boarders gunna interesting to see
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R
I didn't care for it. The script was so, so. Also Guhlfuss isn't believable as a CIA agent plus he looked like he was wearing a ton of make up. Won't be tuning in for any follow up episodes any time soon.
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B
Sad they cancelled both spin offs really enjoyed them!
Just waiting for season 8 in the Uk 🇬🇧
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M
Like the others, I love the original FBI and also loved FBI most wanted with the original cast and backdrop involving Native Americans. I was disappointed when Dylan McDermot took the lead. Trying a little too hard to be the alpha tough-guy simply wasn't needed to run a well-trained group that already knows what it's doing. I have a similar thought about FBI international, but in reverse the first lead in that series was very serious with few people skills, something that would be vital in the field, especially overseas. Whether very supportive agencies, or not, people skills would go a long way. Always effective carrot and only the stick as a last resort. I thought the Replacement leader in that field office was much more realistic.
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M
Another over-the-top non-sense show.
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P
Tom Ellis is a great actor, I look forward to seeing him.
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B
Sounds like a lot of issues for a show that hasn't even started yet! Maybe they should have stuck with International and Most Wanted, they were both working no reason to get rid of them!
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B
Sherri Saum
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R
CIA is headquartered in the US with many offices in the US and has a domestic division. CIA was not allowed to share information with FBI before 9/11. They now can partner with FBI with CIA focusing on international intelligence related to the US with FBI as their partner in law enforcement in the US.
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O
The cast of this show is getting worse and worse
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B
Already don't wanna see this CIA trash can , disappointed in these show case executive prods putting their names to this , off roading two successful shows into the junkyard .shameful , rule of the bluecollar "never take a man's existing job ."
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G
it was bad enough when “the Powers That Be” at CBS cancelled Blue Bloods. Then came incomprehensible news that they were cancelling FBI International and FBI Most Wanted. But they really went over the cliff with announcing the cancellation of Stephen Colbert. How greedy can they get? Citing “financial issues” as the reason for the cancellations reeks of a coverup influenced by their need to have Demolition Don’s (our Liar In Chief) administration approve their pending merger to put even more money in their pockets. They would rather shove another (cheaper to make) false and inane reality show and/or resuscitate an old game show to fill the time slots.
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P
I’m watching the original ER and Eric is awesome as is the old show.
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O
Personally, FBI is my favorite. I'm glad they cancelled International and Most Wanted. Who wants to watch three FBI shows all on the same night? How boring!! Can't Dick Wolf write about anything else? Can't he create any other kind of show? Now he's going to do a CIA? Yuck!! I tuned out of International and Most Wanted after a while. Too much boring seriousness in one night of TV!!
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O
I love the 3 FBIs, I will not be watching the new (CIA) replacement show.