Shocking End: 5 Reasons Why CBS Canceled FBI: Most Wanted After Season 6

The news sent shockwaves through the Dick Wolf television universe in March 2025: the popular CBS procedural FBI: Most Wanted was officially canceled after its sixth season. This abrupt decision, which also included the cancellation of its sister series, FBI: International, caught fans and many industry observers completely off guard, especially since the flagship show, FBI, had been renewed for multiple seasons.

The Fugitive Task Force, led by Supervisory Special Agent Remy Scott, closed its final case, leaving a massive gap in CBS's Tuesday night lineup. While the show maintained a loyal viewership, the network's justification for ending a successful, long-running series boiled down to a single, powerful factor that trumps ratings: the bottom line. Here is the definitive breakdown of the cancellation and the financial reality that ended the pursuit.

FBI: Most Wanted Series Profile and Final Cast Biography

FBI: Most Wanted was the first spin-off in the successful Dick Wolf-produced FBI franchise, focusing on an elite unit dedicated to tracking and capturing the notorious criminals on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Most Wanted list.

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• Original Run: January 7, 2020 – March 2025
• Network: CBS
• Creator: Dick Wolf and René Balcer
• Total Seasons: 6
• Original Lead: Julian McMahon as Supervisory Special Agent Jess LaCroix (Seasons 1–3)
• Final Lead: Dylan McDermott as Supervisory Special Agent Remy Scott (Seasons 3–6)

Main Cast of Final Season (Season 6)

The final season of the series featured a tight-knit and highly effective Fugitive Task Force, with a core cast that had become deeply familiar to viewers:

• Dylan McDermott as Supervisory Special Agent Remy Scott
• Roxy Sternberg as Special Agent Sheryll Barnes
• Keisha Castle-Hughes as Special Agent Hana Gibson
• Shantel VanSanten as Special Agent Nina Chase

The Definitive Reason for Cancellation: Financial Decisions

The biggest question on every fan's mind was, "Why cancel a show that still performs well?" The answer, confirmed by CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach, was purely financial. The cancellation was not a reflection of the show's quality or a catastrophic failure in viewership but rather a strategic, cost-saving measure by the network.

1. The High Cost of Franchise Production

The Dick Wolf "FBI" franchise, like his other successful blocks (Law & Order and Chicago), runs on a massive scale. Producing three separate, high-action procedurals—FBI, FBI: Most Wanted, and FBI: International—is a significant financial undertaking. As series age, production costs for cast salaries, location shooting, and special effects naturally increase. CBS made a tough call to trim the budget by eliminating two of the three spin-offs.

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2. The Flagship Show's Security

In a move that highlighted the network's priorities, the flagship series, FBI, was given a massive, unprecedented three-season renewal in 2024, securing its run through the 2026–2027 season (Season 9). This long-term commitment to the original show likely came with a massive price tag, forcing the network to look for savings elsewhere in the franchise. The cancellation of Most Wanted and International essentially subsidized the longevity of the main series.

The Ratings Reality: A Slight Dip Was Enough

While FBI: Most Wanted was often described as a "relatively high-rated" show, the cancellation was a result of a slight, but noticeable, downward trend in the overall franchise's performance. The show's live viewership dipped slightly in its final season, making it a target for cost-cutting.

3. A 9% Dip in Viewership

Reports indicated that the entire FBI franchise block experienced a 9% dip in ratings and the key 18-49 demographic compared to the previous year. While still respectable, this decline, combined with the rising costs of production, provided the financial justification needed to make the difficult decision to end two of the three shows. In the competitive world of network television, even slight drops can lead to major shake-ups when budgets are under scrutiny.

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4. The Fate of the Other Spin-off: FBI: International

To further understand the strategic move, it is crucial to note that FBI: International was also canceled in March 2025, concluding its run after four seasons. This dual cancellation confirmed that CBS was not targeting a single struggling show but rather restructuring the entire Dick Wolf Tuesday night block to create a more financially sustainable model. The network chose to consolidate its resources into the most established and highest-performing series, FBI.

The Legacy and Future of the FBI Universe on CBS

The cancellation marks the end of an era for the Fugitive Task Force, a team that captivated audiences with its relentless pursuit of justice. The show was known for its intense action, compelling case-of-the-week format, and its ability to handle multiple significant cast transitions, from the departure of original lead Julian McMahon to the successful introduction of Dylan McDermott's Remy Scott.

5. Fan Reaction and the Search for a New Block

The fan reaction to the cancellation was predictably one of shock and disappointment. Many viewers felt the show was canceled too soon, arguing that its ratings were strong enough to warrant a seventh season. The series finale of FBI: Most Wanted in March 2025 provided a powerful goodbye, offering a sense of closure despite the abrupt ending.

For the 2025–2026 television season, the cancellation of the two spin-offs means that the flagship FBI will be moving to a new night on CBS, breaking up the long-standing "FBI Tuesday" block. This shift opens up a new programming strategy for the network, which has already renewed other procedurals like NCIS and Blue Bloods, while also focusing on newer hits like Elsbeth.

Ultimately, the cancellation of FBI: Most Wanted serves as a stark reminder that even popular, well-loved shows are not immune to the economic pressures of television production. The pursuit of the most wanted criminals may be over for Remy Scott and his team, but the legacy of the six-season run remains a celebrated part of the Dick Wolf universe.