Now, a new report from Deadline claims FBI‘s CIA-focused spinoff will no longer be getting a backdoor pilot during season 7 of the flagship show. Instead, CBS is giving it a direct-to-series order, set to air during the 2025-2026 primetime TV season. The original plan was for the backdoor pilot to air during one of the last episodes of season 7, something that kept getting pushed back until it was decided the series would be best introduced with its own independent premiere.
What FBI’s CIA Spinoff Update Means For The Franchise
CBS Has Lots Of Faith In The New Show
The procedural drama’s new spinoff is reported to focus on an FBI agent and CIA agent part of a task force combating plans for domestic terror attacks in New York City. Its premise places the show in the same location as both the flagship show and FBI: Most Wanted, while also offering a new perspective thanks to the inclusion of a major protagonist from a different agency. This latest update means characters in FBI won’t be ushering in the confirmed trio of new faces expected to headline the spinoff, despite their geographic closeness.
Why NBC Will Unlikely Save FBI: Most Wanted & FBI: International From Cancelation (Despite Dick Wolf’s Connections)
CBS canceled FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International ahead of their 2025 finales, but fans shouldn’t get their hopes up that NBC will save them.
Our Take On The New Release Strategy For FBI: CIA’s Spinoff
It’s Not Unusual For A Spinoff Not To Have A Backdoor Pilot
This won’t be the first time an FBI spinoff hasn’t had a backdoor pilot, with FBI: International not getting one before becoming its own full-fledged spinoff. However, the CIA-centered story could have benefited from one considering it will be replacing two long-running shows in the process. Even so, depending on how intriguing its premise turns out to be, the series can still prove itself a successful entry in the procedural series despite not starting with a direct connection to the main show.
Source: Deadline
FBI is a procedural drama that explores the workings of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s New York office as dedicated agents tackle high-stakes cases involving terrorism, organized crime, and various formidable threats.
