In 2025, CBS ordered a spinoff of the hit drama FBI
NEED TO KNOW
CIA will star Tom Ellis and Nick Gehlfuss as partners with different styles, working to take down domestic terror threats
Though the series falls within the FBI universe, only one crossover from the original series has been confirmed so far
Fans ofFBIhave another heart-pumping procedural to add to their watchlist.
On Feb. 23,CIAwill premiere on CBS, starringTom EllisandNick Gehlfussas "two unlikely partners" working out of the Central Intelligence Agency's New York station. According to the one-hour drama's official synopsis, they "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."
TheDick Wolf-produced series was first ordered in January 2025, whenTVLinereported that the drama would premiere as a backdoor pilot duringFBI's seventh season. Those plans changed, and CBS officially greenlit the series three months later with Ellis in the lead role, perVariety.
The news followed thecancellations of two otherFBIspinoffs:FBI: Most WantedandFBI: International.
Here's everything to know aboutCIA, including how it fits into theFBIuniverse.
What isCIAabout?
Jason Bell/CBS (2)
Ellis plays Colin Glass, a "fast-talking, rule-breaking loose cannon CIA case officer" who gets paired up with Bill Goodman (Gehlfuss), a "by-the-book, seasoned and smart FBI agent who believes in the rule of law."
"Obviously, we're going to work in the world of the procedural format that we've set up onFBI," Ellis toldTVLinein June 2025. "What we're looking to do is explore the notion of why these agencies don't normally work together."
The actor said that part of former showrunner David Hudgins' inspiration for the show came from what the 9/11 terrorist attacks revealed about what's at risk when the FBI and the CIA don't collaborate.
"What we're exploring with this show is what would happen if you teamed up this experienced field agent from the CIA with this guy from the FBI, and it becomes a very productive relationship," Ellis said.
However, Ellis added that their dynamic will also prove difficult as "they have very different philosophies about how to achieve their goals."
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How doesCIAfit into theFBIuniverse?
David M. Russell/CBS
ThoughCIAis technically a spinoff ofFBI, Hudgins toldTV Insiderthat the drama is "a very different style of storytelling" that focuses more on the relationship between Goodman and Glass.
"The dynamic between these two is what I hope will be the hook of the show," he said in May 2025. "A-stories and 'crimes of the week' are always crucial but withCIA, we have this added layer of relationship between our two main 'odd-couple' characters. 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."
At the time, Hudgins toldFBIfans not to get too excited for crossovers from the original show. However,FBIstarJeremy Sistois set to guest-star as Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jubal Valentine in the first episode ofCIA.
He's played the character on the hit CBS series since its 2018 debut.
Who is in the cast?
Dia Dipasupil/Getty ; John Nacion/Variety via Getty
Ellis was first announced as the lead role in April 2025, later describing his character to TVLine as "stuck in what some CIA agents might think was the boring end of the job." Ellis added that Glass, like many CIA agents, must "use guile and deceit and lies to get what he wants."
In September 2025,Varietyreported that Gehlfuss had joined the cast as Goodman. TheChicago Medalum noted the similarities between his new role and his iconic role of Dr. Will Halstead, tellingTVLinethat they're "both passionate about what they do," but still have some key differences.
"Very different from Will," he said of his longtime role in a January 2026 interview. "Bill operates black and white ... [and] has this moral compass that he will never veer from."
In addition to Ellis and Gehlfuss, theCIAcast also includesNCIS: New Orleansalum Necar Zadegan as a supervisor in the CIA andTell Me Liesactress Natalee Linez as a CIA analyst, perDeadline.
When willCIAbe released?
CIAwill premiere onCBSon Monday, Feb. 23 at 10 p.m. ET. The pilot episode, titled "Directed Energy," begins with newly appointed partners Glass and Goodman investigating a top-secret weapon that was "stolen in broad daylight from a U.S. defense contractor."
Where can I watchCIA?
New episodes ofCIAwill be released onCBSevery Monday and will be available to stream on Paramount+ the following day.
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