5 Shocking Reasons Why CBS Canceled 'FBI: International' After Season 4
The news is official: The globe-trotting mission of the FBI’s International Fly Team has come to an end. As of March 2025, CBS has confirmed the cancellation of the procedural drama FBI: International, with its current fourth season serving as the show’s final run. This decision, announced during the 2024-2025 broadcast season, sent shockwaves through the Dick Wolf television universe, as it marks the end of one of the franchise's successful spin-offs after a respectable four-year run.
The series, which followed the elite agents—led by Supervisory Special Agent Scott Forrester—as they neutralized threats to American interests abroad from their base in Budapest, will conclude its storyline in May 2025. While the flagship series, FBI, has been renewed through 2027, the cancellation of FBI: International, alongside FBI: Most Wanted, signals a significant shift in the network's Tuesday night lineup.
The Fly Team: A Complete Biography and Cast Profile
FBI: International premiered on September 21, 2021, as the third series in the expanding Dick Wolf-produced FBI franchise. The show was co-created by Dick Wolf and Craig Turk, and its unique premise of operating outside the United States set it apart from its domestic counterparts. The series was filmed on location, primarily in Budapest, Hungary, providing an authentic European backdrop for its high-stakes missions.
- Series Title: FBI: International
- Genre: Procedural Drama, Action
- Creator/Executive Producer: Dick Wolf, Craig Turk
- Original Network: CBS
- Premiere Date: September 21, 2021
- Final Season: Season 4 (2024-2025)
- Cancellation Date Announced: March 2025
- Filming Location: Budapest, Hungary
Key Cast Members and Characters (The Fly Team)
The central cast, often referred to as the Fly Team, comprised the core of the show's narrative, navigating complex international cases without the jurisdiction of domestic FBI agents.
- Luke Kleintank as Supervisory Special Agent Scott Forrester (Seasons 1–4)
- Heida Reed as Special Agent Jamie Kellett (Seasons 1–3)
- Carter Redwood as Special Agent Andre Raines (Seasons 1–4)
- Vinessa Vidotto as Special Agent Cameron Vo (Seasons 1–4)
- Eva-Jane Willis as Special Agent Megan Garretson (Season 2–4)
The Downward Trend: Analyzing Viewership and Ratings
Despite being part of one of the most successful franchises on terrestrial television, FBI: International experienced a steady decline in its key performance indicators (KPIs) over its four-season run. While the show was still a solid performer for CBS, the downward trajectory likely played a crucial role in the network’s final decision to pull the plug.
The Ratings Slide:
The show's total viewership, while high compared to many other network dramas, showed a clear erosion from its peak. Season 1 had the highest rating, which steadily decreased with each subsequent season. The cumulative ratings trendline demonstrated that the series was losing audience members year-over-year.
- Season 1 (2021-2022): Highest cumulative rating (approx. 308.3)
- Season 2 (2022-2023): Cumulative rating dropped (approx. 262.0)
- Season 3 (2023-2024): Further drop (approx. 227.1)
- Season 4 (2024-2025): Lowest rating (approx. 211.0)
Even with the decline, the series remained a consistent performer, often delivering around 6.5 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched shows during the 2024-2025 season. However, in the competitive landscape of network television, declining ratings, even from a high base, can be a major red flag for renewal.
5 Key Factors That Led to the Cancellation
The decision to cancel a high-profile show like FBI: International is rarely due to a single factor. Instead, it is a confluence of creative, financial, and strategic network decisions. Here are the five most likely reasons the Fly Team was grounded for good.
1. Declining Viewership Trends and Audience Erosion
As detailed above, the continuous drop in both total viewership and the crucial 18-49 demographic rating was the most quantifiable reason. Networks use these metrics to sell advertising slots, and a consistently shrinking audience base, regardless of its size, makes the show a less attractive long-term investment compared to a stable or growing one. The cumulative rating drop from Season 1 to Season 4 was significant enough to raise alarms.
2. High Production Costs for International Filming
Unlike the other FBI shows, which are filmed domestically, FBI: International was shot entirely on location in Europe, primarily in Budapest. Filming abroad introduces logistical complexities, higher travel costs, and greater expenses for foreign crews and permits. In a period where networks are increasingly focused on cost-cutting measures, the high budget associated with an internationally-based production likely made it an easier target for cancellation than its stateside counterparts.
3. Making Room for New Programming and Franchise Expansion
Network schedules have limited space. The cancellation of both FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted opens up two valuable hours on the CBS schedule. This space is crucial for launching new, potentially higher-rated series or for strategically positioning a new spin-off. There has been speculation that the network may be looking to develop a new show, possibly an 'FBI: CIA' concept, which would necessitate clearing the programming slate.
4. The Four-Season 'Sweet Spot' for Syndication
While not an official rule, four seasons is a common benchmark for a show to have enough episodes for robust syndication deals, which can be highly profitable. With four full seasons now in the can, the series can be successfully packaged for streaming services—like Peacock, its eventual streaming home—and cable re-runs, maximizing its financial return for the production company (Dick Wolf's Wolf Entertainment) and the network.
5. Strategic Consolidation of the Dick Wolf Universe
The FBI franchise is immense, with three concurrent shows running for several years. By consolidating the lineup and focusing resources on the flagship FBI series—which was renewed for three more seasons—CBS and Dick Wolf may be strategically simplifying the franchise. This allows the core show to remain strong while reducing the overall production burden and cost of managing multiple spin-offs, ensuring the longevity of the main brand.
The Future of the FBI Franchise and The Fly Team's Legacy
The cancellation of FBI: International is undoubtedly a sad moment for fans of the Fly Team, but it does not signal the end of the Dick Wolf universe on CBS. The flagship series, FBI, is a powerhouse performer and will continue to anchor the Tuesday night schedule. Furthermore, the cancellation frees up key talent and resources that could be utilized in future projects.
While the final episode of Season 4 will serve as the series finale, fans can expect the show to live on in perpetuity through streaming platforms. The entire run of FBI: International is set to be available on Peacock by the end of May 2025, ensuring that Scott Forrester, Andre Raines, Cameron Vo, and the rest of the team's international exploits remain accessible for binge-watching for years to come.
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