The news sent shockwaves through the fandom: FBI: International, one of CBS’s most daring and ambitious entries into global crime drama, will not return after its fourth season. But according to co-creator Derek Haas, this wasn’t the result of poor performance or creative burnout. In fact, it had nothing to do with the show’s quality at all.

In an emotional new interview with TVLine, Haas finally broke his silence—and what he revealed paints a much more complicated picture behind the series’ abrupt end.

“It Wasn’t About the Show’s Quality”
“I was so sad to hear about the cancellation,” Haas admitted. “I loved Jesse Soffer as Wes on the show and really thought it was a dynamic cast addition in Season 4.”

Haas, who helped shape the tone and global scope of the Fly Team’s missions, emphasized his pride in the cast and creative direction. But the rug was pulled out from under them just as the series seemed to be hitting its narrative stride. Jesse Lee Soffer, who joined the show following Luke Kleintank’s departure, had only just begun leading the team when the decision came down from CBS.

“I have no insight into why it was canceled,” Haas continued. “I love [CBS Entertainment President] Amy Reisenbach and [EVP of Current and Daytime Programming] Eric Kim, plus all my good friends at Wolf Entertainment, and trust their instincts. So they must’ve had reasons that had nothing to do with the quality of the show.”

A Cancelation Nobody Saw Coming
FBI: International debuted in 2021, riding on the success of the flagship FBI series and its spinoff FBI: Most Wanted. With a high-octane international scope, sleek cinematography, and timely geopolitical themes, it quickly developed a loyal following. Critics praised the fresh take on procedural storytelling, while fans grew attached to the evolving Fly Team dynamic—especially through cast shake-ups and cross-border plotlines.

And yet, CBS pulled the plug.

The decision wasn’t isolated. Alongside International, FBI: Most Wanted—despite running six seasons—was also axed. The original FBI series remains, but the future of the franchise is clearly undergoing strategic retooling.

So Why End “International” Now?
Speculation is already running rampant. Budget tightening? Franchise fatigue? Internal restructuring at CBS? Haas didn’t offer specifics, nor did CBS issue a detailed rationale. But industry watchers suggest the move may be less about numbers and more about narrative evolution—and a pivot toward a new flagship.

That new flagship is FBI: CIA.

The Rise of “FBI: CIA”
Announced earlier this year, FBI: CIA represents the next chapter of Dick Wolf’s ever-expanding universe. It promises a dynamic pairing between a by-the-book FBI agent and a savvy CIA operative, tackling domestic terrorism through the lens of a top-secret taskforce in New York City. With Wolf writing and producing, and industry veterans like David Hudgins and Nicole Perlman on board, this new series could be CBS’s answer to reinvigorating the franchise.

But the announcement of CIA so close to the cancellation news has stirred mixed emotions. Is this simply a reshuffling—or a quiet replacement?

Jesse Soffer’s Lost Momentum
Perhaps the most bittersweet element in all of this is the timing of Jesse Lee Soffer’s rise to series lead. Stepping in after Luke Kleintank’s departure, Soffer brought a hardened intensity to the role of Wes, hinting at a darker, more psychologically complex tone for the show’s fourth season. Fans were intrigued. Critics took notice. The groundwork for a new era had just been laid—and then, abruptly, removed.

It leaves audiences wondering what stories were left untold. What arcs would’ve unfolded in Season 5? What villains, international crises, and team dynamics were cut short?

A Creative Team Caught in the Crossfire
Despite the sudden news, Haas remains gracious. His comments reflect admiration for both CBS and Wolf Entertainment—an alliance that has delivered hit after hit across network TV. Still, one can’t help but hear the disappointment between the lines. This was a show that still had momentum, still had life.

And now, it becomes another “what could have been” for the genre.

Looking Forward: Will “International” Return in Another Form?
While the cancellation is final, fans are already rallying online with hopes of a spinoff, film wrap-up, or crossover event that gives closure to the Fly Team. Could characters like Vo, Forrester, or Smitty reappear in FBI: CIA or even in the main FBI series? It’s not unprecedented—after all, Dick Wolf’s One Chicago universe thrives on crossover continuity.

Whether as a guest appearance or a surprise return, FBI: International may not be entirely dead—just dormant.

Final Word: Gone Too Soon
Derek Haas’s heartfelt reaction sums it up best: this cancellation wasn’t about ratings, reviews, or quality. It was about timing, strategy, and perhaps an evolving vision for CBS’s crime universe.