The new FBI offshoot joining the CBS lineup in the 2025-2026 season has gotten a major update: its midseason premiere. We also now have a first look at Tom Ellis and Nick Gehlfuss in character on CIA (see above).
CBS announced on Monday, November 17, CIA‘s premiere date. Its first episode will air on Monday, February 23, at 10/9c, following FBI‘s midseason return.
The series was ordered to series on April 22, 2025, and Ellis was the first cast, as the CIA lead working alongside an FBI agent (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, 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 “has stepped back,” according to Variety. He was the second showrunner for the FBI offshoot (David Hudgins, who headed FBI: Most Wanted, was the first). Now, the outlet reports that FBI‘s Mike Weiss may be taking over the position and that while there will be a pause on production, it should still premiere as planned.
Is CIA 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 the photo up top does show Ellis and Gehlfuss in character.
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
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