Woah FBI franchise fans you might want to sit down for this one. CBS just dropped a major bombshell and it's not good news for everyone in the Wolf Entertainment universe. Two popular FBI spin-offs are getting the axe: FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International are both cancelled!
Double Whammy! 'FBI: Most Wanted' and 'FBI: International' Get the Chop - What Happened?
Yep you read that right. After six seasons FBI: Most Wanted starring Dylan McDermott and four seasons of FBI: International led by Jesse Lee Soffer are both done at CBS. This is a pretty big deal considering these shows are part of the hugely successful FBI world created by Dick Wolf the king of procedural dramas.
It seems like CBS is doing some serious house cleaning on its series line-up. While the original FBI show is safe and sound with a multi-season renewal these spin-offs just did not make the cut this time around. Why exactly? Well it sounds like a mix of reasons.
For one thing money talks. Apparently CBS and Universal Television the studio behind the FBI shows had some tough financial negotiations. Cost-cutting measures were already in place with cast salaries being adjusted. Plus CBS has a limited number of slots on its schedule and they have already renewed a bunch of other dramas like NCIS and Fire Country and have new shows coming. Something had to give to make space.
Interestingly even though Most Wanted and International are getting cancelled they are still pulling in solid ratings. They are actually doing as well or even better than some other CBS dramas that got renewed! So it seems like this was more of a strategic network decision than about viewership numbers alone.
Hello 'FBI: CIA'? Cancellation of Spin-offs Could Pave Way for New Series
Here's a twist though: while two FBI shows are ending the FBI universe might be expanding in another direction. There is a potential new spin-off in development called FBI: CIA. And guess what? With Most Wanted and International gone FBI: CIA's chances of actually happening just went up.
CBS is apparently really serious about this FBI: CIA idea. They are even planning a "planted spin-off" which means they will introduce the concept and characters in an upcoming episode of the main FBI show. Casting is underway and there is buzz that if they get the right actors on board FBI: CIA could go straight to series order. So while we are losing two shows we might be gaining a new one to fill the void. Classic TV business right?
Could 'Most Wanted' and 'International' Find New Life Elsewhere? Don't Count Them Out Just Yet!
Now for some potentially good news for fans of FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International: just because CBS cancelled them doesn't necessarily mean they are gone for good. There is a chance Universal Television and Wolf Entertainment might try to shop these shows around to other platforms like streaming services or other networks.
They have done it before. Remember Law & Order: Organized Crime? That show moved from NBC to Peacock and kept going. So there is precedent for Wolf shows finding new homes. It is not a guarantee but it is a possibility to keep an eye on.
Even if they don't get picked up elsewhere there is a silver lining. Both FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International are still filming their current seasons. Word is they might tweak the scripts for the season finales to make them work as series finales just in case. That means we should hopefully get some kind of closure for the characters we have been following even if the shows themselves are ending.
Key Takeaways: FBI Franchise Future in Flux
Let's break down the main points of this FBI franchise shake-up:
- CBS cancels two FBI spin-offs: FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International will not be renewed after their current seasons.
- Original FBI show is safe: The mothership series FBI is renewed through season nine.
- Financial reasons likely played a role: Cost-cutting measures and negotiations between CBS and Universal Television are factors.
- "Shelf space" is limited: CBS has renewed many other shows and has new dramas coming up needing schedule slots.
- Potential new spin-off FBI: CIA: In development and cancellation of spin-offs increases its chances.
- Possibility of cancelled shows finding new homes: Studios might shop Most Wanted and International to other platforms.
- Season finales may offer closure: Scripts could be adjusted to provide series finale endings.