Hey TV lovers get ready for some not-so-great news if you are a fan of the FBI universe on CBS. Word on the street well actually from CBS is that two of the FBI spin-offs FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International are getting cancelled. Yep you heard that right no more Fly Team adventures and no more Most Wanted task force cases after this season. Let's break down what happened and why.
Cut Short: FBI: International and Most Wanted Cancelled After Current Seasons - Fans Disappointed!
It's official CBS is pulling the plug on FBI: Most Wanted after season six and FBI: International after season four. This news just dropped and fans are already buzzing well not in a good way. Both shows are ending with their current seasons wrapping up which means no new seasons for the 2025-2026 TV schedule . Bummer right?
Now before you panic remember the main FBI show with the New York crew is still safe and sound. In fact it got a super renewal all the way through season nine so at least we still have that. But for those who loved catching up with the Fly Team in Budapest or following the intense cases of the Most Wanted task force this is definitely a letdown.
FBI: Most Wanted was the first spin-off to branch out from the original FBI. It started back in January 2020 and even went through a lead actor change when Dylan McDermott took over after Julian McMahon left. FBI: International is the newer kid on the block launching in September 2021. Both shows have had their loyal viewers and regularly win or at least do really well in their time slots so the cancellation news is kind of surprising to many.
Why the Sudden Axe? Ratings Finances and a Shiny New FBI Spinoff 'FBI: CIA' Could Be Reasons
So why are these shows getting the boot? It seems to be a mix of factors. Ratings wise while Most Wanted and International do okay they are not exactly top dogs on CBS anymore. Compared to other CBS dramas like Tracker NCIS and even the flagship FBI show their numbers are a bit lower. Most Wanted season 6 and International season 4 both saw a viewership dip compared to previous seasons.
Finances also likely played a role. TV networks always have to make tough calls about what to keep and what to cut especially with so many shows vying for limited slots. CBS has a bunch of franchises already like the NCIS and FBI universes and they are clearly leaning into those big names. Cost-cutting measures were announced last year for some of the FBI shows which might have been a hint of things to come.
And here is another piece of the puzzle: CBS is developing a brand new FBI spin-off called FBI: CIA. This one is set to follow an FBI agent and a CIA agent teaming up in New York City to fight domestic terrorism. Sounds kinda cool right? It's possible CBS is clearing space in its schedule for this fresh blood and decided to make room by ending the two spin-offs. Think of it like replacing older models with the shiny new one.
NBC to the Rescue? Unlikely as Schedule Space is Tight for FBI Spinoffs Despite Dick Wolf Connection
Some fans are hoping another network might swoop in and save Most Wanted and International. One popular idea is NBC. Why NBC? Well all the FBI shows are produced by Dick Wolf who is basically a TV legend and super connected to both CBS AND NBC. He is the king of procedural dramas with the Law & Order and Chicago franchises on NBC also under his Wolf Entertainment banner.
While Dick Wolf's NBC ties might seem like a lifeline in reality it is probably a long shot. NBC's schedule is already packed. They have their One Chicago shows Law & Order series plus newer dramas and reality competitions. Adding two more hour-long dramas even if they are established franchises would be a tight squeeze. NBC also has new shows and pilots they are considering for the fall lineup so space is definitely limited.
So while we can dream of a network rescue for FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International it is unfortunately pretty unlikely. These cancellations seem pretty final.
Paramount+ Our Last Hope? Streaming Savior a Long Shot but Never Say Never
If network TV is a no-go maybe streaming could save the day? The last glimmer of hope for FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International might be Paramount+ which is CBS's streaming service. Paramount+ has rescued CBS shows before like SEAL Team and Evil giving them new life online.
Could Paramount+ pick up the cancelled FBI spin-offs? It is technically possible but probably not very probable. Paramount+ hasn't made a habit of reviving tons of cancelled network shows. Usually if a show is moving to streaming it would be announced alongside the cancellation news not after. The silence on that front suggests CBS is truly done with these spin-offs even for streaming.
So while we can hold out a tiny bit of hope realistically it is time to prepare to say goodbye to the Fly Team and the Most Wanted squad. Unless some miracle happens it looks like May 2025 will be the end of the road for these FBI spin-offs.
Key Takeaways: FBI: International & Most Wanted Cancellation Breakdown
- CBS Cancelled Two FBI Spin-offs: FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International will end after their current seasons.
- Flagship FBI Show Renewed: The original FBI series is safe and renewed through season nine.
- Reasons for Cancellation: Likely due to a mix of lower ratings compared to other CBS dramas financial considerations and the network making space for new shows like FBI: CIA.
- NBC Rescue Unlikely: Despite Dick Wolf's connection to NBC schedule space on NBC is probably too limited to pick up both spin-offs.
- Paramount+ Streamer Save? Possible but improbable as Paramount+ has not indicated interest and usually announces streaming moves with cancellations.
- New Spin-off FBI: CIA in Development: CBS is moving forward with a new FBI spin-off focused on domestic terrorism in NYC.
- Prepare for Series Finale: Fans should prepare to say goodbye to FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International when their current seasons conclude in May 2025.