FBI: CIA is a series that has hit some snags during the pre-production stage. The spinoff was originally set to air as a backdoor pilot with the flagship FBI show, but has since been relegated to premiere on its own. Now, it has the deft hand of one of Chicago PD's most notable directors at the helm.
Eriq La Salle has been tapped to direct the pilot of the FBI spinoff for CBS. He will also serve as an executive producer alongside Dick Wolf and David Hudgins, according to Deadline. La Salle become a go-to director for Wolf Entertainment during the last decade, having handled some of the most acclaimed episodes in hit franchises like Law & Order and the streaming series On Call.
Eriq La Salle has directed over 20 Chicago PD episodes
For One Chicago fans, of course, the Chicago PD credentials are the most exciting. La Salle has directed 21 episodes since joining the franchise in 2016, including fan favorites like "Homecoming" (2017), "Infection, Part III" (2019) and "Burden of Truth" (2019). He has also been credited as an exec producer on these episodes.
To strengthen the One Chicago connection even further, La Salle directed a single episode of the short-lived spinoff Chicago Justice in 2017. He clearly knows how to juggle tense procedural cases with multiple characters, which makes him a perfect choice to take lead on an FBI spinoff that will be centered around a fast-talking CIA case officer and a seasoned, by-the-book FBI agent.
Depending on how far back you with scripted network dramas, you may also know Eriq La Salle for his acting career. The multi-talented entertainer played Peter Benton on the acclaimed medical series ER from 1994 to 2009. He's also had supporting roles in the shows Angie Tribeca, Under the Dome, and the aforementioned On Call, where he pulled double duty as actor/director.
FBI: CIA will debut during 2025-26 season
FBI's 2025-26 season will be its most crucial to date. CBS canceled two of the franchises spinoffs, Most Wanted and International, and has decided to put several of its eggs in the CIA basket. We're curious/eager to see how the show differentiates itself from its spinoff predecessors while still giving fans the classic FBI feel.
The talent is certainly being accrued for a success. In addition to La Salle, who has been making excellent TV on both sides of the camera for decades, the FBI spinoff will star Tom Ellis of Lucifer fame as the CIA agent. Casting is still underway for his FBI partner.