Before his return to Dick Wolf’s TV universe, Nick Gehlfuss clarifies the biggest misconception about Tom Ellis’ character in CIA. While the FBI flagship has continued to uphold the franchise during the 2025-2026 TV cycle, CBS is set to once again expand its interconnected storytelling following the cancellations of FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International. This time, however, the network is tapping an entirely different organization for its latest offshoot.

Originally, CIA was meant to debut during the fall, alongside the mothership. There were also plans to do a backdoor pilot in FBI season 7, which, unfortunately, was scrapped. Ellis’ casting in the show has been the one thing consistent throughout its developmental process. Now that the show is weeks away from premiering, CBS has locked an ensemble surrounding his CIA agent, Colin Glass, led by Chicago Med alum, Gehlfuss, playing Bill Goodman.

In a new interview with TVInsider, Gehlfuss previews what to expect from CIA, including clarifying the biggest misconception about Ellis’ character. He reveals that despite being primarily described as roguish and reckless, Colin actually follows the rules in the show. The difference is that, he’s used to operating in “such a gray area. Bill operates black and white. CIA, we don’t even know what they do. But it’s a wonderful combination of these two characters and I’m really excited.”

While police procedurals continue to be very popular, especially on network TV, the depiction of law enforcement agencies has become more nuanced in recent years. This was motivated by the advocacy against real-world police brutality and how TV had the tendency to glorify them. Wolf Entertainment has changed the way it approaches this storytelling aspect, particularly in Chicago PD, with Hank Voight.

In terms of narrative, pairing a rogue agent with a by-the-books counterpart is a great recipe for success. However, it’s great that CIA is delving deeper into why Colin is looser compared to Bill instead of just presenting him as a one-note character. Based on Gehlfuss’ comment, it sounds like it has something to do with the unclear parameters with which the CIA operates. Because of this, Colin is not used to doing things more clearly like his partner does, who is with the FBI.

Expect that marketing for CIA will ramp up as its premiere nears. Currently, the majority of CBS’s scripted line-up is still in hiatus, primarily because it entered the break later than ABC and NBC. What’s curious to see is if Colin and Bill will eventually cross paths with their other New York-based peers, such as OA and Maggie from the flagship, or even Olivia Benson and Fin Tutuola from Law & Order: SVU.