The CBS corner of the expansive Dick Wolf TV universe has been going strong ever since FBI debuted back in 2018, with spinoff FBI: Most Wanted launching in early 2020. Both shows returned to CBS for a two-hour block of primetime in the 2020-2021 TV season, but now it seems that the network isn't done expanding its slate of Dick Wolf shows. Another FBI spinoff is in the works, and it could affect Chicago Fire over on NBC depending on the development process.
An FBI spinoff called FBI: International is developing at CBS, with Deadline reporting that the third show would focus on the FBI's international operations, as opposed to the domestic crimes investigated by Maggie and Co. on FBI and the Most Wanted criminals chased by the agents of FBI: Most Wanted. Although the project has not yet advanced beyond working on deals (with no official comment from CBS at the time of writing), Dick Wolf veteran Derek Haas is attached as writer and presumed showrunner.
If the name "Derek Haas" rings a bell, then you're likely a fan of One Chicago over on NBC. Haas created Chicago Fire back in 2012, and that show is nine seasons in with at least two more to go. He currently serves as showrunner, and has an executive producer credit on Chicago P.D., but his active role on Fire is what raises the question of whether FBI: International could see him switch networks to focus on the new show.
On the one hand, One Chicago shows changing showrunners isn't unprecedented. Andrew Schneider and Diane Frolov stepped took over as Chicago Med showrunners in 2015 after the initial showrunner stepped down, and Rick Eid took the reins of Chicago P.D. starting with Season 5 in 2017. P.D. was previously run by Matt Olmstead. It's not unimaginable that Derek Haas could depart Chicago Fire to focus on FBI: International.
On the other hand, Derek Haas has been running Chicago Fire for nine seasons already, so he would presumably know everything he needs to know to balance another show on top of Fire. There's also the point that Rick Eid is currently the showrunner of both FBI and Chicago P.D., which is proof that deals are possible that one showrunner can split duties between two shows on two different networks within this expansive shared Dick Wolf universe.
The shared Dick Wolf universe across two networks is so expansive because of a crossover in the 2019-2020 TV season between Rick Eid's two shows, which brought Chicago P.D.'s Upton to FBI and connected FBI and FBI: Most Wanted to the three One Chicago shows and what will soon be two Law & Order shows. FBI: International would bring the show count up to eight, and really open the door for some truly wild crossovers.
That said, FBI: International sounds like something brand new for this Dick Wolf universe. The three One Chicago shows are obviously based in Chicago, and both Law & Order shows will be set in New York. FBI is in New York, and Most Wanted travels across the United States for cases. An international series would tread new ground, even if its premise indicates that it could be more standalone than the other seven series.
Of course, all of that is assuming that CBS moves forward with FBI: International with Derek Haas on board. The show has not received a series order just yet, but I find myself wondering if a prospective third CBS series means that the network is aiming for its own version of NBC's successful One Chicago Wednesday, to take over a full block of primetime. That would mean a change for CBS Tuesday nights, which currently includes NCIS as well as FBI and FBI: Most Wanted. Then again, NCIS' future is uncertain at this point.
Only time will tell if CBS gives a series order to FBI: International. For now, there is plenty of FBI action with new episodes of FBI at 9 p.m. ET and FBI: Most Wanted at 10 p.m. ET on CBS Tuesdays.
