The surprise cancellation of FBI: International has left fans and creators alike stunned, especially as the crime procedural was gaining momentum with fresh characters and tight storylines in Season 4.
In a new interview with TVLine, co-creator Derek Haas opened up about the show’s unexpected end, revealing his disappointment and lingering questions about why CBS chose to pull the plug. “I was so sad to hear about the cancellation,” Haas admitted. “We were just hitting our stride. Jesse Soffer and Jay Hayden were gold together.”
A Strong Season, a Sudden End
Despite strong delayed-playback numbers—averaging 6.5 million total viewers, placing the series in the top 10 among CBS dramas—FBI: International was axed alongside FBI: Most Wanted earlier this year. The cancellation came as a shock, especially with newer characters like Soffer’s Wes Mitchellshowing promising chemistry with the team.
“I have no insight into why it was canceled,” Haas added. “I trust Amy Reisenbach and Eric Kim [at CBS]—they know what they’re doing. So they must’ve had reasons that weren’t about the quality of the show.”
Behind-the-Scenes Factors
CBS Entertainment president Amy Reisenbach later clarified that the decision came down to economics, not content. In a May 2025 press conference, she stated, “It’s not easy to end shows… We have to look at the finances, the ratings, and make those tough decisions.”
While FBI: International was filmed in Budapest, which is reportedly cheaper than many U.S. locations, Deadline suggested that cost-efficiency alone wasn’t enough. The cancellation was also reportedly influenced by challenging renewal negotiations between CBS and NBCUniversal, which produces the show.
What’s Next for the Franchise?
While FBI: International and Most Wanted have ended, the flagship FBI series has been renewed through 2026–27, and a new spinoff titled CIA is in the works, with Lucifer star Tom Ellis set to lead.
Despite the abrupt goodbye, Haas remains proud of what the cast and crew accomplished. “We went out doing our best work,” he said.
For fans, the end may have come too soon—but the world of FBI is far from over.
