‘FBI’ Franchise Renewed for Two More Seasons
If there is anything television creator Dick Wolf and the CBS network know how to do, it’s create successful TV franchises. Wolf built the Law & Order empire, and the Chicago fire, police, and medical dramas centered around the midwestern city. CBS consistently wins in the drama ratings with fan favorites like NCIS and its myriad spin-offs.
With Wolf and CBS paired up for the FBI franchise over the past few years, it should come as no surprise that fans are clamoring for more. With three more winning investigative shows on its hands, CBS just ordered two additional seasons of each of the FBI shows.
CBS ordered two more seasons of each ‘FBI’ show
In early May, the broadcasting network signaled its plan to double down on its FBI franchise. CBS ordered two additional seasons each for FBI, FBI: Most Wanted, and FBI: International.
“The FBIs are one of the most successful brands in the entire TV landscape and a powerful cornerstone of our #1 lineup,” said Kelly Kahl, president of CBS Entertainment in a statement. “They’ve attracted a dedicated, loyal fan base, thanks to the extraordinary vision of executive producer Dick Wolf and the talents of all three outstanding casts and creative teams.”
At the news of the pickup, Wolf expressed his gratitude to the casts, writers, and producers who figured out how to keep the air dates on schedule despite working through the Covid-19 pandemic. “Everybody who works on these three shows is over the moon about the multi-year pickups,” Wolf said.
The original ‘FBI’ is still the most popular of the franchise
As with most franchises, the flagship FBI offering remains the most popular of the three shows. According to CBS, the series garners an average of 10.4 million viewers each week. The show is in its fourth season. Seasons 5 and 6 are now on the way with the recent network order. The characters center on Special Agent Maggie Bell (Missy Peregrym) and Special Agent Omar Adom, also known as OA (Zeeko Zaki).
Second in popularity is FBI: Most Wanted, with an average of 8.9 million viewers each night. The series began one year after the original. It’s now wrapping up its third season and looking forward to seasons 4 and 5. Lead actor Julian McMahon (Special Agent Jess LaCroix) recently left the cast. Dylan McDermott replaced him. Showrunners have said his character will lead the team with a different style than Jess did.
FBI: International is the new kid on the block. But its first season was comparably popular. The series averages 8.3 million viewers weekly, now with the chance to nab additional fans with seasons 2 and 3 secured.
All three shows will air their season finales on May 24
All three of the “FBIs” come to exciting season conclusions Tuesday night. On FBI, the team investigates a deadly robbery. They discover one of the perpetrators is a classmate of the son of Assistant Special Agent Jubal Valentine (Jeremy Sisto).
On FBI: Most Wanted, the agents pursue an oligarch who goes on a fatal terror spree. The squad with FBI: International investigates who is behind shooting down a private jet of Americans outside a small town in Poland.
The FBI episodes begin airing on CBS Tuesday, May 24 at 8 p.m. EST.
