The FBI franchise may have just lost two of its most popular spinoffs, but CBS is far from closing the book. Instead, it’s opening a brand-new chapter — and bringing Lucifer himself along for the ride.

Tom Ellis, best known for his devilishly charming role in Lucifer, is stepping into a bold new lead role in CIA, a procedural drama that acts as both a continuation and reinvention of the Dick Wolf television empire. The casting announcement comes mere weeks after CBS canceled FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted, two long-running and fan-adored entries in the FBI universe.

While fans are still grappling with the sting of those cancellations, Ellis’ arrival marks a significant tonal shift for the franchise — one that blends high-stakes intelligence drama with charismatic unpredictability.

According to the official synopsis, CIA will center around Ellis’ character: a “fast-talking, rule-breaking loose-cannon” CIA officer who is paired with a “by-the-book” FBI agent. Together, this unlikely duo is tasked with solving high-risk domestic threats out of the CIA’s New York station — a fictional black site embedded within a bustling metropolis.

It’s classic “odd couple” procedural territory — but with Ellis’ flair for breaking boundaries and Wolf’s appetite for grounded, tension-filled storytelling, the pairing promises something fresh for a franchise built on structure and order.

This new venture also serves as a high-stakes pivot for CBS. With Most Wanted and International off the schedule due to behind-the-scenes economics and licensing complexities with outside studio NBCUniversal, CIA is the network’s next big procedural gamble. CBS executives made it clear during their 2025 fall presentation that CIA isn’t just a replacement — it’s a reinvention.

“We’re excited to bring CIA into the FBI universe,” said Amy Reisenbach, President of CBS Entertainment. “We love working with Dick [Wolf] and believe this new series brings an entirely different energy to our schedule while remaining true to what viewers love most: compelling, fast-paced storytelling.”

Ellis is joined by a yet-to-be-named actor playing his FBI counterpart — a character described as seasoned, serious, and fiercely dedicated to protocol. Together, they’ll be part of a clandestine task force designed to tackle emerging threats on U.S. soil, blending CIA intelligence with FBI enforcement. While it’s unclear how serialized the narrative will be, CBS and Wolf’s track record suggests a blend of closed-case episodes with a longer arc building beneath the surface.

The production team is stacked with talent. Showrunner David Hudgins (known for Parenthood and Friday Night Lights) brings emotional weight to procedural narratives, while co-creators Nicole Perlman (Guardians of the Galaxy) and David Chasteen (a real-life CIA officer-turned-writer) add credibility and intrigue. Dick Wolf and longtime collaborator Peter Jankowski round out the executive producer team, ensuring that the series remains firmly rooted in the fast-paced universe that Wolf fans have come to expect.

Interestingly, CIA was originally reported under the title FBI: CIA back in early 2025. At that time, Entertainment Weekly revealed slightly different plans, with a pitch centered around a tight-laced FBI agent and a streetwise CIA operative tackling terrorist threats across New York. While the core dynamics remain, the official concept has since evolved — and the addition of Ellis has undoubtedly shifted the tone toward something slicker, snappier, and potentially more character-driven than its predecessors.

For Ellis, the role marks a major return to U.S. network television after his globally adored run as the titular devil in Lucifer. That show — a cult hit turned Netflix phenomenon — proved his ability to hold center stage while balancing intensity with offbeat charm. If CBS wanted a magnetic lead to re-launch their FBI empire with flair, they’ve found the perfect candidate.

As for the rest of the franchise, only the flagship FBI remains on air, recently renewed through 2027. Its Monday night slot will now expand to a two-hour FBI block: FBI at 8 p.m., followed by CIA at 9 p.m. — a programming move that signals just how seriously CBS is betting on this new addition.

Behind the entertainment, though, lingers a bittersweet truth. The cancellations of Most Wanted and International still sting for loyal fans who supported both shows over multiple seasons. Their axing — reportedly due to cost negotiations and studio ownership issues — has left a void. CIA, for all its star power and swagger, will need to work hard to fill it.

And yet, the premise is compelling. The stakes are high. And with Ellis as the face of this new chapter, CIA may not just be a replacement — it could be a reinvention.

The question now is: will fans embrace this evolution of the FBI universe, or does loyalty to the past cast too long a shadow?