The New FBI Universe: Why Most Wanted And International Were Canceled And The CIA Spinoff Is Next

The landscape of the Dick Wolf’s highly successful ‘FBI’ procedural universe has undergone a seismic shift in 2025, marking the end of an era for two popular series. As of this current date in December 2025, fans are grappling with the news that both FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International have been canceled by CBS, leaving only the flagship show, FBI, to carry the torch. This massive restructuring comes alongside the surprising announcement of a brand-new, highly anticipated expansion: the CIA spinoff series, which promises to take the franchise in a bold new direction.

The decision to end the two spin-offs, despite their solid ratings, has been a major talking point in the television industry, signaling a strategic pivot for the network and its premier procedural producer, Dick Wolf. The focus is now squarely on the upcoming eighth season of the original FBI and the launch of the new intelligence-focused series, ensuring the universe continues to dominate the weekly TV schedule.

The Shocking 2025 Cancellations: Why Most Wanted and International Ended

In a move that stunned many viewers, CBS announced in March 2025 that both FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International would not be returning for new seasons. FBI: Most Wanted concluded its run after six seasons, while the Global Fly Team of FBI: International wrapped up after four seasons.

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While official statements cited a need to refresh the network's procedural slate, the cancellations follow a period of significant cast upheaval that may have contributed to the decision. Both shows struggled with retaining their core leadership, impacting narrative consistency and audience connection.

Key Cast Exits That Defined the Final Seasons

The final seasons of the canceled shows were characterized by major personnel shifts. These changes often force a series to re-establish its identity, a challenge that ultimately proved too great for the network to justify a renewal.

• FBI: Most Wanted: The show saw the departure of its original lead, Julian McMahon (Jess LaCroix), and later, the exit of Alexa Davalos (Special Agent Kristin Gaines). The constant rotation within the Fugitive Task Force made it difficult for the show to maintain a stable core cast.
• FBI: International: The International Fly Team faced the loss of its head, Luke Kleintank (Scott Forrester), who departed the series before its conclusion. Additionally, Heida Reed (Special Agent Jamie Kellett) also left the team, further destabilizing the series' central dynamic.

The three-hour global crossover event, which aired in early 2025, served as an unofficial, massive farewell, bringing the New York Field Office, the Fugitive Task Force, and the International Fly Team together one last time for a crisis that spanned continents.

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The Core: What to Expect from FBI Season 8

With its spin-offs concluding, the original FBI series now stands as the sole anchor of the franchise. Renewed for an eighth season, the show is scheduled to premiere on Monday, October 13, 2025, shifting from its traditional Tuesday night slot.

The focus remains on the New York Field Office, tackling complex cases of terrorism, organized crime, and counterintelligence that affect national security. The stability of the main cast is a key strength that CBS is leveraging for the future of the universe.

FBI Season 8 Main Cast and Characters

The core team of the New York Field Office returns, promising continuity and familiar dynamics as they navigate the post-cancellation procedural landscape. The main cast for Season 8 includes:

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• Missy Peregrym as Special Agent Maggie Bell
• Zeeko Zaki as Special Agent Omar Adom "OA" Zidan
• Jeremy Sisto as Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) Jubal Valentine
• Alana De La Garza as Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Isobel Castille
• John Boyd as Special Agent Stuart Scola
• Juliana Aidé Martinez as Special Agent Elena Reyes (a new addition to the team)

Season 8 is expected to delve deeper into the personal lives of the agents, particularly the professional and personal partnership between Maggie Bell and OA Zidan, while continuing to explore the high-stakes pressure faced by ASAC Jubal Valentine in managing the team and the FBI's resources.

The New Frontier: Everything About the CIA Spinoff

The most significant development in the Dick Wolf Universe is the upcoming series, CIA, which is set to replace the canceled shows and launch an entirely new sub-franchise focused on the Central Intelligence Agency.

The show, which was initially in development as a planted spinoff, has been confirmed by CBS for the 2025-2026 slate, with a premiere date set for Monday, February 23, 2026. This marks a major expansion, moving the procedural focus from domestic and international law enforcement (FBI) to global espionage and intelligence gathering (CIA).

FBI: CIA Spinoff Details and Cast

The new series is being executive produced by Dick Wolf and written by David Hudgins, ensuring the signature fast-paced, high-stakes procedural style remains intact.

The show will center on the often volatile and high-risk operations of CIA agents. While the production faced some initial shake-ups, including changes in the showrunner and casting, the main leads have been confirmed, immediately giving the new series star power and a strong foundation.

• Nick Gehlfuss: Known for his role on Chicago Med, Gehlfuss is confirmed as one of the series leads, bringing a familiar face from the Dick Wolf family to the new franchise.
• Tom Ellis: The former star of Lucifer is also attached to the series, adding a significant draw for viewers looking for a fresh take on the espionage genre.
• Michael Michele: A veteran actor, Michael Michele is also set to be a series lead, further solidifying the cast.

The new CIA series is positioned to explore the complex moral and geopolitical issues inherent in intelligence work, offering a darker, more espionage-driven counterpoint to the more traditional law enforcement focus of the original FBI.

The Future of the Dick Wolf Procedural Universe

The cancellation of FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International signals a strategic consolidation by CBS and Dick Wolf Productions. By focusing resources on the successful flagship series and launching a high-profile, fresh new concept like CIA, the network is aiming to revitalize the procedural block. The new structure—a Monday night lineup featuring FBI and the later addition of CIA—is designed to create a new, powerful two-hour procedural block, similar to the success of the Law & Order and One Chicago franchises.

The legacy of the three-show Tuesday night block will be remembered for its successful cross-pollination of storylines and characters, but the future is clearly about evolution. The surviving FBI series, with its established cast and high-stakes New York cases, will serve as the gateway to the new world of global intelligence introduced by the CIA spinoff, ensuring the Dick Wolf universe remains a dominant force in television for years to come.