CBS is making some tough calls as it trims down its series roster, and unfortunately, FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International have hit the chopping block. Both of these FBI spinoffs are officially canceled—Most Wanted after six seasons and International after four. These shows, from Dick Wolf’s empire and Universal Television, featured big names like Dylan McDermott and Jesse Lee Soffer, who came over from Law & Order: Organized Crime and Chicago P.D., respectively.
FBI: Most Wanted, which launched in 2020, was headlined by Dylan McDermott, who took over as the head of the Fugitive Task Force in 2022, following Julian McMahon’s departure. The show also starred Shantel VanSanten, Roxy Sternberg, Keisha Castle-Hughes, and Edwin Hodge. Meanwhile, FBI: International, which premiered in 2021, starred Luke Kleintank as Scott Forrester, before he left the show after season 3. Jesse Lee Soffer joined in season 4 as Wes Mitchell, alongside Jay Hayden as Tyler Booth.
Now, the only remaining FBI series on CBS is the flagship show, which is currently in its seventh season and has already secured a three-year renewal. The silver lining here for FBI fans is that the cancellation of the spinoffs could be a good sign for the new project FBI: CIA, which is already in the works. This new spinoff, a planted episode from the original series, is in the casting stages, with several actors currently in negotiations. Based on the buzz around the show, there’s even talk that it might get a straight-to-series order if the right talent signs on.
For those wondering if the axed shows might find a new home elsewhere, that’s still up in the air. Last year, Law & Order: Organized Crime made a successful move from NBC to Peacock, so it’s possible Most Wanted and International could follow suit, though nothing’s been confirmed.
These cancellations come as part of CBS’s broader strategy to make room for new content, with a slew of other series like NCIS: Sydney, Fire Country, and Matlock already on the renewal list. In addition to FBI: CIA, CBS also has other promising projects in the works, including a potential Equalizer spinoff starring Titus Welliver and a high-profile drama pilot Einstein, starring Criminal Minds alum Matthew Gray Gubler.
As for the fate of Shantel VanSanten’s character, who moved from the mothership series to Most Wanted, it’s unclear if she’ll return to her old role, especially with her character’s storyline involving a baby with Scola from the original FBI.
Looks like there’ll be fewer agents hunting down criminals on CBS next season, but with the FBI universe still going strong, we’ll have to see what the future holds for the franchise. Stay tuned for more updates as FBI: CIA continues to develop.