The upcoming FBI spinoff starring Lucifer star Tom Ellis has hit another setback. According to Variety, Warren Leight will no longer serve as showrunner of CIA, the new CBS series expanding the FBI universe. The news follows the recent departure of lead actor Michael Michele, who had been cast as a CIA supervisor.
Production on CIA has reportedly been paused while the studio searches for a new showrunner. Sources told Variety that FBI showrunner Mike Weiss is currently in talks to take over the role. Despite the shake-up, the production delay isn’t expected to impact the show’s planned midseason premiere. If Weiss steps in, he’ll be the third person to lead the series — after Warren Leight replaced original showrunner David Hudgins.
FBI Offshoot CIA Faces More Behind-the-Scenes Changes
Starring Tom Ellis (Lucifer) and Nick Gehlfuss (Chicago Med), CIA has faced a somewhat rocky road to production. CBS ordered the series straight-to-series back in April 2025, originally scheduling it for a fall debut. However, multiple behind-the-scenes changes have now pushed its launch to midseason. As a result, the network has moved the second season of Watson from midseason to the fall to fill CIA’s original slot.
According to the official logline, “CIA is a one-hour crime drama centered on two unlikely partners — a fast-talking, rule-breaking loose cannon CIA case officer (Ellis), and a by-the-book, seasoned and smart FBI agent who believes in the rule of law. When this odd couple is assigned to work out of CIA’s New York Station, they must learn to work together to investigate cases and criminals posing threats on U.S. soil, finding that their differences may actually be their strength.”
Originally, the plan was for FBI to give CIA a soft launch by featuring Tom Ellis — along with Michael Michele and Nick Gehlfuss — in crossover appearances. However, after casting delays and other production hurdles, producers ultimately decided that CIA should move forward as a standalone launch.
CIA is now set to premiere on CBS during the 2026 midseason. Meanwhile, new episodes of FBI continue to air Mondays on CBS.
