As the fifth season of FBI: International was set to begin, the show was unexpectedly canceled by CBS after four seasons. Derek Haas, co-creator of the series, shared his thoughts on the decision, expressing disappointment while also praising the chemistry among the cast in Season 4. Despite the abrupt ending, Haas maintained confidence in the show’s quality and acknowledged that CBS likely made the choice based on financial and strategic considerations rather than creative merit. The network cited economic challenges and ratings performance as key factors in canceling both FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted.
In a recent interview with TVLine, Haas conveyed deep regret over the cancellation, emphasizing how excited he had been about the evolving dynamics within the cast. He specifically highlighted the pairing of Jesse Soffer as Wes Mitchell and Jay Hayden, describing their collaboration as particularly compelling. According to Haas, the Season 4 ensemble brought fresh energy and cohesion to the series, which made the news of cancellation even more difficult to process. He admitted to having no clear explanation from CBS regarding the decision, but he expressed trust in the leadership at the network, including Amy Reisenbach and Eric Kim, suggesting they acted on data-driven insights beyond creative evaluation.
CBS officially announced the cancellations in March 2025, with Reisenbach stating during a press briefing that such decisions are never easy and involve a comprehensive review of all programming. She pointed to a combination of ratings, production costs, and financial viability as central to the outcome. Both shows averaged around 6.5 million viewers when including delayed viewing, placing them eighth out of 14 dramas for the 2024–25 season—higher than some series that were renewed. Nonetheless, despite cost advantages due to filming in Budapest, the numbers didn’t align financially for continued production.
The decision also reportedly stemmed from complex negotiations between CBS and NBCUniversal, which had previously complicated renewal talks. While FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted came to an end, the broader FBI franchise remains strong, with the flagship series secured through the 2026–27 season. Additionally, a new spinoff titled CIA, starring Tom Ellis, is currently in development, signaling ongoing expansion for the franchise despite these setbacks.
Though the cancellation of FBI: International came as a surprise to many fans and creators alike, it appears to have been driven by behind-the-scenes economics rather than audience reception or artistic direction. With the franchise continuing in other forms, the legacy of the international branch lives on, even if its journey was cut short.