What Happened
Tom Ellis, the star of the new CBS series CIA, recently revealed his reasons for not watching the FBI series prior to filming. In an interview with Us Weekly, Ellis, who plays CIA agent Colin Glass, stated that he wanted to maintain a clear distinction between the two agencies, noting their operational differences. He mentioned, “I certainly wanted to keep it separate because it is a very different agency and they run very differently.” Although he avoided deep engagement with FBI, he admitted to watching a little bit of it.
Why It Matters
The premiere of CIA on February 23, 2026, marks a significant expansion of the Dick Wolf television universe, which includes the popular FBI franchise. This new procedural drama aims to carve out its own identity while complementing the existing FBI series. Ellis highlighted the contrasting focuses of the two shows, stating, “FBI deals in crimes that have already happened predominantly and the CIA try to stop the crime from happening in the first place.” This distinction is crucial for understanding the narrative direction of CIA.
What’s Next
As CIA continues to air, viewers can expect a blend of high-stakes action and character-driven storytelling. The show features a partnership between Ellis’s character and an FBI agent, creating a dynamic that explores the complexities of inter-agency collaboration. With the series already generating buzz, it will be interesting to see how it develops and how it is received by audiences in the U.S. and beyond.
