The FBI Franchise Crisis: Why Two Hit Shows Were Just Cancelled For The 2025-2026 Season

The Dick Wolf television universe has been rocked by a major, unexpected shakeup. As of late 2025, the sprawling and highly-rated FBI franchise on CBS has been dramatically restructured, with two of its three pillars—FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International—officially cancelled for the upcoming 2025-2026 television season. This decision has stunned fans and industry analysts alike, as both spin-offs were not only successful but were consistently among the most-watched shows on network television.

The flagship series, FBI, remains safe and is renewed for multiple seasons, but the loss of its two sister shows marks the end of the powerful three-hour Tuesday night programming block that dominated the ratings for years. The network's explanation for axing two highly-rated programs points to a harsh new reality in Hollywood, where success in viewership no longer guarantees survival against mounting production costs and shifting economic strategies.

The Shocking Truth Behind the Double Cancellation

The cancellation of both FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International was confirmed in March 2025 by CBS, a move that sent immediate shockwaves through the television community. What makes this news so surprising is the fact that both shows were genuine hits. Throughout the 2024-2025 season, the spin-offs, alongside the main series, were consistently ranked among the top 10 most-watched primetime network programs.

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Ratings Success vs. Financial Reality

In the past, high ratings were the ultimate shield against cancellation. However, the official explanation from CBS Entertainment chief Amy Reisenbach centered on "economic reasons" and "financial cost." This is a critical distinction that reflects the current financial pressures facing major television networks.

• International Production Costs: FBI: International, filmed overseas in locations like Budapest, Hungary, inherently carries a significantly higher production cost than its domestically-shot counterparts. The logistics, travel, and international crew expenses likely made it an unsustainable investment, even with strong viewership.
• Licensing Fees and Ownership: Dick Wolf's productions are notoriously expensive to license. While the shows are popular, the network must weigh the cost of licensing the content from the production company (Wolf Entertainment) against the advertising revenue generated. When costs escalate, even a top-rated show can become a financial liability.
• The Franchise Rebalance: The decision to cancel the two spin-offs while renewing the flagship FBI through Season 9 (the 2026-2027 season) suggests a strategic rebalancing of the franchise. By eliminating the two most expensive shows, CBS frees up significant budget and a prime-time slot to invest in new, potentially cheaper, and wholly-owned programming.

This economic-based cancellation strategy is a growing trend in the industry, following similar reasoning applied to other popular, yet costly, shows in recent years. The move proves that in the modern TV landscape, a show’s profitability is now a more decisive factor than its raw popularity.

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The Complete Roster of the Cancelled Task Forces

The end of these two series means we say goodbye to some of the most compelling characters in the Dick Wolf universe. The following entities were the core of the cancelled Fugitive Task Force and Fly Team, providing topical authority on the shows' history.

FBI: Most Wanted Main Cast and Characters (2020–2025)

This series focused on the Fugitive Task Force, which relentlessly tracked and captured the network’s most notorious criminals on the FBI’s Most Wanted list. The team saw several leadership changes, but its core mission remained the same.

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• Remy Scott (Dylan McDermott): Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) and Team Leader, replacing Jess LaCroix.
• Jess LaCroix (Julian McMahon): The original SSA and Team Leader (Seasons 1–3).
• Sheryll Barnes (Roxy Sternberg): Special Agent and Second-in-Command.
• Hana Gibson (Keisha Castle-Hughes): Special Agent and Intelligence Analyst.
• Ray Cannon (Edwin Hodge): Special Agent, joining the team in later seasons.
• Nina Chase (Shantel VanSanten): Special Agent, who also crossed over from the flagship FBI series.
• Clinton Skye (Nathaniel Arcand): Special Agent and Jess LaCroix's brother-in-law (Seasons 1–3).

FBI: International Main Cast and Characters (2021–2025)

Set entirely overseas, this show followed the "Fly Team," a group of elite agents tasked with neutralizing threats against American interests abroad. The unique setting and international scope made it a visually distinct part of the franchise.

• Supervisory Special Agent Scott Forrester (Luke Kleintank): The team leader based in Budapest.
• Special Agent Jamie Kellett (Christiane Paul): Second-in-Command (Seasons 1–2).
• Europol Agent Megan "Smitty" Garretson (Eva-Jane Willis): The team's Europol liaison.
• Special Agent Andre Raines (Carter Redwood): The team's accountant and intelligence expert.
• Special Agent Cameron Vo (Vinessa Vidotto): The team's interrogation specialist and tactical agent.
• Special Agent Amanda Tate (Christina Wolfe): The newest addition to the Fly Team.
• Tank: Forrester’s loyal search and rescue dog, a key member of the team.

What's Next for the Dick Wolf FBI Universe?

The cancellations of the two spin-offs signal a major pivot for the franchise, but it is far from over. The remaining flagship series, FBI, is not only safe but is being repositioned for the 2025-2026 season.

The Flagship Show’s New Home

The original FBI series, starring Missy Peregrym and Zeeko Zaki, has been renewed for an impressive three more seasons, securing its run through Season 9. However, the show will no longer anchor the "FBI Tuesday" block. Starting in the fall of 2025, FBI will move to a new night, shifting from Tuesdays to Mondays, where it will air as a standalone show. This move effectively dismantles the three-hour procedural block, a staple of CBS programming for years, allowing the network to use the highly-rated show to boost a different night of the week.

The Rise of a New Spinoff: CIA

In a clear effort to "rebuild the FBI franchise," Wolf Entertainment and NBC are moving forward with a new, highly anticipated spin-off project: CIA. This new series aims to keep the procedural momentum going, focusing on the Central Intelligence Agency, and is a direct attempt to fill the void left by the cancelled shows. The new show is being developed as part of the same interconnected universe, promising future crossovers and a continuation of the high-stakes, government-focused drama that fans crave.

However, the new project is already facing early turbulence, with reports of a key cast departure and behind-the-scenes showrunner changes just weeks into filming. The rocky start for CIA raises questions about the future stability of the expanded Dick Wolf universe, but its development confirms that the network is committed to the procedural genre, even as it cuts the cord on its most expensive entries.

The cancellation of FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International is a stark reminder that even in an era of peak television, the bottom line is king. While the flagship FBI series continues its successful run, the loss of its two global and domestic spin-offs marks a significant and costly chapter in the history of the Dick Wolf franchise, forcing the network to strategically restructure its entire procedural lineup for the future.