Tom Ellis is officially stepping back into primetime, and viewers won’t have to wait much longer to see it happen.
Ever since the final episode of Lucifer aired in 2021, viewers have watched Tom take on roles in Tell Me Lies, Washington Black, and other projects. But excitement reached new levels in April 2025 when it was announced that he would star in CIA, the newest series in the FBI franchise on CBS. Fans were even more thrilled to learn he’d be working alongside Chicago Med alum Nick Gehlfuss on a show that carries a similar vibe to Lucifer.
Fortunately, the wait to see Tom back on TV won’t be long. As FBI’s official Instagram revealed on November 17, CIA will premiere on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 10 p.m. ET on CBS. The franchise’s social team also offered a first hint at what viewers can expect from Tom and Nick’s characters in the highly anticipated series.
“Meet the duo redefining the rules,” the caption read. “CIA premieres on CBS February 23, 2026.”
Given that Tom hasn’t appeared on primetime television since Lucifer aired on Fox — before the show later moved to Netflix for season 4 and beyond — fans immediately flooded social media with excitement. “Welcome to Wolf Pack Tom Ellis!!! 🔥🔥,” one person commented, referencing the fact that CIA is the latest project from TV legend Dick Wolf. “AHHHHH IM SO EXCITED FOR THIS,” another wrote. “Can’t wait—loved Lucifer think he’ll be great as CIA,” added a different follower.
This truly is exciting news, and with the buzz surrounding the series, it’s clear CBS has a major hit on the way. According to a press release from the network (and TV Insider), the procedural will follow a CIA officer played by Tom and an FBI agent played by Nick as they work together to investigate cases across New York City. The twist? Their crime-solving styles couldn’t be more different: one sticks strictly to the rules, while the other relies on a more off-the-cuff approach.
It’s a partnership set to spark plenty of intrigue, and fans are eager to see Tom back on their screens very soon.
