🚨 SHOCKING DROP: FBI Spin-Off ‘CIA’ Trailer & First Look Just HIT – And It’s Pure Tension! 🔥🕵️‍♂️🇺🇸

Tom Ellis as the cocky, rule-breaking CIA operative… forced into a lie detector showdown with straight-laced FBI agent Nick Gehlfuss. Snarky banter flies, secrets spill, and high-stakes ops in New York City could blow up at any second.

One scene has Ellis smirking through interrogation: “You think you can handle the truth?” The response? A cold stare that screams trouble.

Full details:

CBS has released the first official trailer and first-look images for “CIA,” the newest addition to Dick Wolf’s “FBI” franchise. Starring Tom Ellis (“Lucifer”) as a fast-talking, rule-bending CIA case officer, the series pairs him with Nick Gehlfuss (“Chicago Med”) as a by-the-book FBI special agent in a high-stakes New York-based taskforce aimed at stopping domestic terrorism. The footage dropped in mid-December 2025, building anticipation for the show’s February 23, 2026 premiere at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CBS, following the flagship “FBI” at 9 p.m.

The trailer opens with a tense lie detector test scene: Ellis’ character, Colin Hart, strapped in as Gehlfuss’ Bill Goodman fires questions. Snarky exchanges fly—Hart’s charm clashing with Goodman’s no-nonsense demeanor—setting up the classic odd-couple dynamic. Quick cuts show urban chases, surveillance ops, shadowy meetings, and explosive confrontations, emphasizing the clash between CIA covert tactics and FBI procedural rigor. Voiceover teases “two perspectives, one mission,” highlighting the friction and forced teamwork at the heart of the story.

“CIA” follows the success of Wolf’s interconnected “FBI” universe, which includes “FBI,” “FBI: Most Wanted,” and “FBI: International.” Ordered to series in April 2025, the show centers on a clandestine joint taskforce operating out of the CIA’s New York station. Hart, a roguish operative with a questionable past, is teamed with Goodman, an FBI agent who lives by the rulebook. Together, they tackle threats that blur domestic and international lines, forcing them to navigate bureaucracy, personal demons, and life-or-death decisions.

Ellis brings his signature charisma to the role, delivering lines with a devilish edge that echoes his “Lucifer” days. In interviews, he described Hart as “a man who operates in gray areas,” willing to bend rules for results. Gehlfuss, known for his steady presence on “Chicago Med,” portrays Goodman as principled and methodical, creating immediate tension with Ellis’ more chaotic style. The trailer leans into their banter—Hart quipping under pressure, Goodman shutting him down—while promising action rooted in real-world intelligence challenges.

Supporting cast includes Michael Michele and others in recurring roles, adding depth to the taskforce and personal storylines. Production began in 2025 in New York, capturing the city’s gritty energy for authentic backdrops. Wolf, known for procedural powerhouses like “Law & Order” and “Chicago,” executive produces alongside the “FBI” team, ensuring the signature fast-paced, case-of-the-week format with serialized character arcs.

The trailer has generated strong buzz online. YouTube views climbed quickly after the December 15 release, with fans praising the casting choice and the fresh spin on the franchise. Comments highlight Ellis’ return to network TV as a major draw, alongside the promise of more international intrigue than the domestic-focused “FBI.” Some speculate crossovers with the existing shows, given the shared universe, though CBS has not confirmed any.

The series arrives amid CBS’ Monday night lineup shift, with “FBI” moving to lead into “CIA” for a back-to-back block. This scheduling aims to capitalize on the flagship’s loyal audience, many of whom have followed the franchise since its 2018 debut. “FBI” remains a top-rated drama, consistently ranking high in viewership and providing a solid lead-in for spin-offs.

Plot details remain guarded, but the trailer hints at early cases involving domestic threats with foreign ties—cyber ops, sleeper cells, and high-profile targets. The lie detector sequence underscores themes of trust and truth, with Hart’s evasive answers suggesting hidden motives or past traumas. Later shots show the duo in the field: tailing suspects, raiding locations, and facing moral dilemmas that test their partnership.

Critics and viewers have noted the show’s potential to explore post-9/11 intelligence realities—cooperation between agencies, jurisdictional clashes, and the personal costs of the job—without heavy politicization. Wolf’s track record delivers grounded procedurals that prioritize character and suspense over sensationalism.

Production faced minor delays earlier in 2025, but CBS pushed forward with the trailer to build hype. The February premiere positions “CIA” as an early-year event, competing in a crowded broadcast landscape but benefiting from the “FBI” brand strength.

Fan reaction mirrors excitement for past spin-offs. Online forums discuss Ellis’ appeal, Gehlfuss’ chemistry potential, and hopes for guest appearances from “FBI” stars like Missy Peregrym or Zeeko Zaki. The first-look images—promo stills of the leads in intense standoffs and urban settings—reinforce the trailer’s high-energy vibe.

As the “FBI” universe expands, “CIA” represents a natural evolution: shifting focus to intelligence operations while retaining the procedural core. Whether the unlikely duo can bridge their differences to protect the nation will unfold weekly starting February 23.

With strong casting, proven creators, and a compelling trailer, “CIA” looks poised to join the ranks of successful franchise extensions. Viewers drawn to tense partnerships, moral gray areas, and pulse-pounding cases will find plenty to latch onto in this latest chapter.