A forced FBI–CIA partnership fuels firepower and funny jabs in CBS's new crime spin-off trailer
After a prolonged and sometimes turbulent development process, CBS has officially released the first trailer for 'CIA'. It's the upcoming spinoff of the long-running procedural hit 'FBI'. The debut of the trailer signals a turning point for the project, which now appears firmly back on schedule as it approaches its long-awaited premiere. Arriving just over two months before the show's launch, the newly dropped preview introduces viewers to the main protagonists driving the series. Tom Ellis stars as Hart Hoxton, a confident and unconventional CIA case officer whose instinct-led approach often puts him at odds with established protocol.
His counterpart is Bill Goodman, portrayed by Nick Gehlfuss, a disciplined and strictly by-the-book FBI agent. When a string of escalating threats emerges across New York City, the two are forced into a reluctant partnership that neither seems particularly eager to embrace. The trailer immediately establishes the tension between its leads. It opens with Goodman subjecting Hoxton to a lie detector test. This moment shows both the mistrust between the agencies and the vastly different personalities of the two men. From there, the footage cuts rapidly between high-intensity action sequences and sharp, sarcastic exchanges between Hoxton and Goodman.
Their verbal sparring suggests a classic opposites-at-odds setup. The preview closes with the pair shaking hands, quietly acknowledging that despite their differences, they will be relying on one another moving forward. As per USA Today, 'CIA' is scheduled to premiere on Monday, February 23, 2026, slotting in directly after the season eight return of 'FBI'. The series also stars Necar Zadegan as the CIA's Chief of Station and Natalee Linez as an intelligence analyst who works closely with the two leads. Together, the ensemble is positioned to expand the 'FBI' universe while offering a fresh perspective.
The show's path to the screen has been far from straightforward. According to ScreenRant, CBS officially announced 'CIA' in April 2025, though development had begun earlier this year. Initially, the network planned to introduce the spinoff through a backdoor pilot embedded within an episode of 'FBI'. However, those plans were derailed by a series of unexpected setbacks. Production was disrupted by multiple last-minute changes involving both cast and creative leadership. Michael Michele, who was originally attached to the project, exited in early November and was later replaced by Zadegan. Shortly afterward, original showrunner Warren Leight also departed the series.
While 'FBI' remained on track and completed its production schedule, ‘CIA’ found itself in a holding pattern, recasting roles and searching for a new creative direction. As a result, CBS ultimately scrapped the backdoor pilot concept altogether. Now, with a completed trailer and a firm premiere date, 'CIA' appears to have emerged from development uncertainty with renewed momentum. 'CIA' will officially debut on February 23, 2026, airing at 10.00 pm ET/7.00 pm PT on CBS.
