FBI: International Co-Creator Talks Series Cancellation Before Season 5

FBI: International co-creator Derek Haas recently spoke about the show’s cancellation ahead of what would have been its fifth season. In a new interview, Haas reflected on the cast’s evolution in Season 4 and the surprise behind CBS’s decision. He also explained why the creative team remained confident in the show’s quality despite its early end.

Derek Haas on why FBI: International Season 5 was canceled

Co-creator Derek Haas expressed disappointment over FBI: International getting canceled after Season 4. “I was so sad to hear about the cancellation,” Haas told TVLine, citing his enthusiasm for Jesse Soffer’s casting as Wes Mitchell and the chemistry with new addition Jay Hayden. “They were gold together,” he said, referencing the Season 4 ensemble.

Haas confirmed he was not given a reason for the show’s cancellation. “I have no insight into why it was cancelled,” he said. “I love Amy [Reisenbach] and Eric [Kim] over at CBS… and trust their instincts. So they must’ve had reasons that had nothing to do with the quality of the show.”

CBS announced the cancellation of FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted in March 2025. In a May press briefing, CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach said, “It’s not easy to end shows and we had a lot of options this year… We always have to look at all of our shows… what the finances look like, what the ratings are, and then we make those tough decisions” (via Deadline).

Both canceled shows reportedly averaged 6.5 million total viewers with delayed playback, tying for eighth among CBS’s 14 dramas for the 2024–25 season. This was higher than some renewed series, including Fire Country and NCIS: Sydney. Despite filming in Budapest, Hungary, according to TVLine, is “much cheaper” than U.S. locations, cost-efficiency didn’t secure renewal.

Reisenbach noted fiscal responsibility as a factor. “Ultimately those deals and the shows just weren’t penciling out for us from an economic perspective.” Deadline also pointed to past “difficult renewal negotiations” between CBS and NBCUniversal as a contributing factor.

The FBI franchise continues with FBI, renewed through 2026–27. A new spinoff, CIA, starring Tom Ellis, is also in development.

Originally reported by Anbhav Chaudhry on ComingSoon.