A high-profile CBS show has paused production following its latest exit. According to Variety, Warren Leight is stepping down as showrunner on the new FBI offshoot, *CIA*.
Leight, known for his work on *Law & Order: SVU*, took over for David Hudgins in July after Hudgins stepped down as showrunner and executive producer. After Leight was brought on, CBS decided to move *CIA* from a fall 2025 premiere to midseason 2026 to allow time for the show to transition under a new showrunner.
Sources tell Variety that *FBI* showrunner and executive producer Mike Weiss is in talks to take over on *CIA* while continuing his duties on the original series. Production has been temporarily halted to accommodate this showrunner transition. However, this pause is not expected to affect the premiere date, which—although not officially announced—remains aimed for midseason.
At this time, the reasons behind Leight’s departure are unknown. He is the latest high-profile exit from the series, following the recent departures of Michael Michele, who was set to co-lead alongside Tom Ellis and Nick Gehlfuss, and executive producer Eriq La Salle. Filming for *CIA* began in September, with La Salle directing and serving as executive producer on the pilot episode.
It is expected that a new showrunner will be named in the coming days, though nothing has been confirmed yet.
Even though *CIA* has yet to premiere, the show has already experienced a rocky start. Initially announced to be in development earlier this year, it was planned to launch with a backdoor pilot during the seventh season of *FBI*. However, casting issues made that difficult to pursue as *FBI*’s season was nearing completion. CBS ultimately decided to forgo the backdoor pilot and moved forward with *CIA* as a standalone series for the 2025-26 season, despite canceling the spinoffs *FBI: Most Wanted* and *FBI: International*.
*CIA* was officially given a series order in April.
Per CBS, *CIA* follows “a fast-talking, rule-breaking loose cannon CIA case officer (Tom Ellis), and a by-the-book, seasoned and smart FBI agent (Nick Gehlfuss) who believes in the rule of law. When this odd couple are assigned to work out of CIA’s New York Station, they must learn to work together to investigate cases and criminals posing threats on U.S. soil, finding that their differences may actually be their strength.”
https://popculture.com/tv-shows/news/high-profile-cbs-show-halts-production-after-huge-exit/