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Tom Ellis brings his signature charm to the FBI franchise as the new spy drama CIA premieres Monday night. The Lucifer star reunited with costar Aimee Garcia on set weeks before the debut. This high-stakes spinoff pairs Ellis with Nick Gehlfuss for an electrifying spy procedural.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Premiere Date: CIA debuted on Monday, February 23, 2026 at 10 p.m. ET on CBS
- Lead Stars: Tom Ellis as Colin Glass, Nick Gehlfuss as Bill Goodman form an unlikely spy team
- Lucifer Reunion: Aimee Garcia visited the set to support Ellis before the premiere aired
- FBI Crossovers: Jeremy Sisto, Alana De La Garza, Missy Peregrym appear in two-way crossovers with the flagship series
Tom Ellis Trades Devil Horns for Espionage
After playing Lucifer Morningstar for six seasons on the Netflix/FOX drama, Welsh actor Tom Ellis brings his roguish charm to CIA, the newest Dick Wolf spinoff. Ellis stars as Colin Glass, a slick, secretive CIA operative who operates by his own rules and uses guile as his primary weapon.
The actor recently appeared in Tell Me Lies (2024-2026) and The Thursday Murder Club on Netflix. Ellis revealed to the New York Times that Wolf made Colin distinctly British after speaking with the actor, giving him a unique edge since CIA agents cannot carry firearms on U.S. soil. This British heritage becomes a wonderful tool for Colin’s survival.
CIA cast reunites Tom Ellis with Lucifer costar as new FBI spinoff premieres
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Reuniting with Lucifer Roots
Aimee Garcia, who played Ella Lopez alongside Ellis on Lucifer, visited the CIA set in recent weeks to support her former costar. The visit came just before the Monday, February 23 premiere, creating a touching moment for fans of the beloved supernatural drama.
Garcia expressed excitement about reuniting with Ellis years after Lucifer ended its run in 2021. Both stars have remained active in television, with Garcia’s career taking her to various guest-starring and recurring roles across multiple networks.
The Cast and CIA Task Force
The CIA cast brings together an ensemble of seasoned television professionals. Nick Gehlfuss, fresh from eight seasons on Chicago Med, plays Bill Goodman, an FBI Special Agent forced to become Colin’s reluctant partner in covert operations. Necar Zadegan, known for her 24 role as First Lady Dalia Hassan, leads as Nikki Reynard, the deputy chief of the CIA’s New York station.
| Actor | Character | Background |
| Tom Ellis | Colin Glass | British CIA operative, secretive and roguish |
| Nick Gehlfuss | Bill Goodman | FBI liaison, rule-follower, reluctant CIA partner |
| Necar Zadegan | Nikki Reynard | Deputy Chief of Station, former field operative |
| Natalee Linez | Gina Rojas | CIA analyst, eager and ambitious field support |
Showrunner Mike Weiss promises extensive crossovers between CIA and the flagship FBI series. Jeremy Sisto, who plays Jubal Valentine, appears in the CIA premiere, recommending Bill for the mission. Alana De La Garza and Missy Peregrym from FBI will also factor into the covert operations.
“Together they will work covert operations in New York, uncovering international plots, terrorist cells, and geopolitical secrets. Bill will learn the rules of this murky world on the fly as Colin leads him deeper into spy games where only one thing is clear—their work keeps America safe, even if no one will ever know what they did in the shadows.”
— CIA Official Synopsis, CBS
Colin and Bill’s Odd Couple Dynamic
The core chemistry between Ellis and Gehlfuss drives CIA’s narrative. Colin represents everything Bill despises: rule-breaking, secrecy, operating in gray zones. Meanwhile, Bill’s rigid FBI training clashes with Colin’s improvisation. Yet both actors confirm they become a prolific team as the series develops.
Ellis told Parade that Colin and Bill work brilliantly together despite initial friction. Gehlfuss explained that Bill accepts the CIA position as a potential career-maker, despite his apprehension about leaving his FBI comfort zone. Together, they uncover international plots threatening American security across New York City.
Will CIA Connect the FBI Franchise?
With FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted canceled less than a year ago, CBS needs CIA to succeed. Showrunner Weiss told TV Insider the network aims to create an expanded Dick Wolf FBI New York Universe with constant crossovers. Jeremy Sisto’s appearance in the premiere establishes immediate connections to the flagship series.
Early reviews from Variety, LA Times, and Decider praise Ellis’s charismatic performance, calling him a towering presence who carries the high-stakes spy drama. The pilot episode titled “Directed Energy” balances slick spy storytelling with classic procedural case-of-the-week comfort food. Will Tom Ellis fandom translate to CIA viewership for CBS?
