‘CIA’ Boss Reveals What Makes New Offshoot Different From Rest of ‘FBI’ Universe
The FBI universe may have just said goodbye to two of its shows — spinoffs International and Most Wanted ended with their Tuesday, May 20, finales — but it is expanding in the fall. The offshoot, CIA, starring Tom Ellis, is joining FBI on Mondays, airing back-to-back starting at 9/8c, on CBS.
This new show stands out from the others in this world because it has “a very different style of storytelling,” showrunner and executive producer David Hudgins tells TV Insider, “with cases coming from the CIA world as well as the FBI, but [it’s] mostly the relationship between the two main leads.”
CIA centers on those two unlikely partners. Tom Ellis plays Hart Hoxton, a fast-talking, rule-breaking loose cannon CIA case officer, and casting has yet to be announced for his FBI counterpart, a by-the-book, seasoned and smart agent who believes in the rule of law. The two are assigned to work out of CIA’s New York Station and 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.
“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,” says Hudgins. “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.”
While there have been crossovers over the years across the FBI shows — including three-hour events with all of them — don’t expect to see any Most Wanted characters on CIA, according to Hudgins (showrunner on both).
“CIA is its own show, although it does exist in the universe of the mother ship FBI,” he explains.
What are you hoping to see on CIA? Let us know in the comments section below.
CIA, Series Premiere, Fall 2025, Mondays, 10/9c, CBS
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Comments are closed on this story.
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Will Tom Ellis be speaking in his native British accent?
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I'll happily watch this show, Tom Ellis is enough to bring me it. I don't think I've ever watch an FBI branded show.
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I have always enjoyed FBI since the beginning. I think Tom Ellis will bring a strong character to the show. He is an actor that shows emotion through his eyes. Looking forward to this Dick Wolf.
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C
I won’t watch. CBS kills viewers’ favorite programs and tries to force us to watch a new creation. Sorry. Tired of CBS games.
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Agreed. I have zero interest in watching a show that caused the cancelation of 2 that I loved to watch. I'll still watch the original.
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Tom will get me back to prime time. It will be fun to see him in a different role…whatever he plays he excels in.
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Real CIA has mandate to not "work" within US, yet from writeup they are. How can you justify that?
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I love Tom Ellis, but a 10 PM start time is too late for me. Is there anyway they could move it to a 9 PM slot? That would be fantastic!
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I’ll be giving it a go. Network television needs more quality programing.
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I'd love to see a really strong part for a woman than just 2 testosterone driven guys not getting along and probably the women there mostly to provide emotional support. Isobel in FBI isn't very convincing because she's not written in enough depth and is too busy looking attractive rather than expressing steel. Maggie is okay but again not senior or steely enough either. I would like to see a woman, or preferably 2 women, who can match the Alpha males and achieve more because the women work together more effectively and can take control rather than being bossed around
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I Might Be Wrong But,It Might Have Something To Do With A CIA Person Being A Member Of JTTF[JOINT TERRORISM TASKFORCE]RUN BY THE FBI.
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I will be watching bc it sounds entertaining and i love Tom Ellis. He is a fine actor. looking forward to know his co-star
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Love Tom Ellis! He was great on Lucifer, can't wait to see him back on prime time tv!!👏💥
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Who is going to be the FBI Agent
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As much of Tom Ellis as possible, literally. He is one of the best actors I have ever seen, not to mention drop dead gorgeous. I am hoping for some good writing and directing. I admit I am a bit nervous that his co-star has not been named. What I am really hoping for here is a dynamic akin to Kelly Robinson and Alexander Scott on I Spy, and stories as gripping and intense as those were.
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