CBS has canceled two shows from the popular “FBI” franchise, “FBI: Most Wanted” and “FBI: International.” The decision comes as the network looks to make room for new dramas in its primetime lineup. “FBI: Most Wanted,” currently in its sixth season, stars Dylan McDermott and averages 6.5 million viewers per episode. “FBI: International,” in its fourth season, stars Jesse Lee Soffer and averages 6.53 million viewers.
Both shows have experienced a 10% decline in viewership compared to their previous seasons. Despite the cancellations, there is a possibility that the shows’ current seasons can be adjusted to provide satisfying series finales for viewers.
CBS cuts ‘FBI’ franchise shows
The cast of “FBI: Most Wanted” includes Roxy Sternberg, Keisha Castle-Hughes, Edwin Hodge, and Shantel VanSanten, while “FBI: International” features Vinessa Vidotto, Carter Redwood, Eva-Jane Willis, and Christina Wolfe. Fans have expressed disappointment and suggested moving the shows to streaming platforms like Paramount+, but CBS has not responded to these suggestions. The network’s decision was influenced by financial considerations and tough renewal negotiations with Universal Television, the studio behind the shows.
The “FBI” franchise will continue with the original series, now in its seventh season. CBS is also developing potential new offshoots and spin-offs, including a prospective series featuring an FBI agent and a CIA agent tackling domestic terrorism in New York City. As the network focuses on upcoming dramas like “NCIS: Sydney” and “Tracker,” it remains unclear if the canceled shows will be offered to other platforms or if actors from these series will return to other projects within the franchise.
