Jeremy Sisto, who plays Supervisory Special Agent Jubal Valentine on CBS’s long-running hit FBI, has expressed strong interest in appearing on the network’s upcoming new series, CIA. The new show stars Tom Ellis and is set to join the FBI television universe. While no official crossover plans have been confirmed, the idea has generated significant buzz among fans. Sisto’s comments come as his own show heads into a major two-part fall finale and the new CIA series prepares for its debut in the 2025-2026 broadcast season.
What Jeremy Sisto Said About a Potential Crossover
In a recent interview, Jeremy Sisto was direct about his hopes to see his character, Jubal Valentine, step into the world of CIA. He stated he is personally hoping to be part of the new show.
“I hope to be a part of that show, yeah. What’s fun about it is that it’s the same universe, but it’s a very different show. We have different creators over there, with different intentions as to what tone they’re going for. It’s an opportunity to expand, for sure.”
Sisto elaborated that after eight years on FBI, the chance to explore a different tone on another show is appealing. He suggested a guest spot would be an ideal way to participate without leaving his main role.
“I’ve been doing the show for 8 years, and I love it, but it’s nice to have a little diversity of tone… [A crossover] would be the perfect way to be a part of it, because you’ve got your own show to go back to.”
The actor also joked about waiting for the call from producers, saying, “I hope that Jubal Valentine can help out with the CIA situation, but you don’t know. We don’t know if it will happen. I don’t know if I will get the call. We’ll see. But Jubal would love it.”
Inside the New CBS Series CIA Starring Tom Ellis
CIA is a new one-hour crime drama coming to CBS. The network has given it a direct series order, showing confidence in the project. The show will exist as “a universe expansion of the FBI series” but will stand on its own.
The series will focus on two main characters described as an “odd couple”:
- Hart Hoxton: A “fast-talking, rule-breaking loose cannon CIA case officer” played by Tom Ellis.
- An unnamed FBI agent: A “by-the-book, seasoned and smart” partner who believes firmly in the rule of law.
The official story description explains that this pair is assigned to work out of the CIA’s New York Station. They must learn to collaborate on cases involving threats on U.S. soil, discovering that their opposite approaches could become their greatest strength.
Tom Ellis has explained that the show will build on the world established by FBI but from a new perspective.
“We’re going to take what the FBI guys have set up in that kind world,” Ellis said. “We’re going to then visit it through the eyes of the CIA.”
He has also teased that some interaction with the FBI world is possible, stating, “We might get a little bit of crossover with FBI from time to time.” However, he clarified that the primary focus will be on how the CIA operates domestically and the challenges of inter-agency cooperation.
The show’s title was simplified from FBI: CIA to just CIA. Showrunner David Hudgins explained this was to establish a clearer, separate identity for the new series.
How a Crossover Could Work in the Story
From a story perspective, a crossover offers interesting possibilities. Jubal Valentine is a seasoned FBI supervisor who is deeply familiar with protocols and managing high-stakes operations from the bureau’s New York office. Throwing him into a partnership or conflict with Tom Ellis’s character, a CIA agent who reportedly bends the rules, could create instant drama or comedy.
Fans have speculated online about the fun scenarios that could unfold, such as Jubal’s procedural rigor clashing with the CIA’s more flexible methods. The potential for “memos” and bureaucratic friction has been a particular point of amusement among viewers.
Such a crossover would also help solidify that both shows exist in a connected television world, potentially raising the stakes for ongoing narratives.
The Bigger Picture: CBS’s FBI Universe Changes
The discussion around CIA and crossovers is happening amid a period of change for CBS’s lineup of FBI shows.
- Two Spin-offs Ended: Earlier this year, CBS canceled two established spin-offs: FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International. Their final episodes aired in May 2025.
- CIA as a New Entry: CIA is positioned as a fresh take and a new expansion of the universe, rather than a direct replacement of the canceled shows.
- Schedule Shift: The flagship FBI series is moving from Tuesday to Monday nights for the upcoming season. CIA is scheduled to air in the 10 p.m. ET time slot on Mondays, right after FBI, creating a two-hour block of connected programming.
Despite being set in the same universe, the CIA showrunner has indicated the show will have a degree of separation. David Hudgins noted that while it exists in the FBI world, CIA will primarily focus on telling its own stories with its new characters.
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What’s Next for FBI and CIA
Before any crossover can happen, both shows have immediate priorities.
For FBI, the current eighth season is building toward a major event. The show’s fall finale is a special two-hour episode event airing on Monday, December 15, 2025. The two episodes, titled “Lone Wolf” and “Wolf Pack,” will involve the team investigating a murder that leads to a larger, destructive plot. Jeremy Sisto has hinted that the story involves “a lot of losses” for the team, making the two-hour format necessary. The show will then go on a winter break, returning with new episodes on February 23, 2026.
For CIA, the focus is on a successful launch. The series is slated for a midseason debut in the 2025-2026 broadcast season. The production has experienced some behind-the-scenes changes, including a brief halt and a change in showrunner, but is moving forward toward its premiere.
While fans wait to see if Jubal Valentine ever walks into the CIA field office, the shared universe on CBS is set to grow. The interest from a veteran star like Jeremy Sisto certainly keeps the possibility alive for future seasons.
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