“That’s The Key Distinction:” CIA Showrunner Mike Weiss Compares The Show To FBI And Breaks Down That Wild Episode 1 Cliffhanger

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Be warned: this contains spoilers for the first episode of CIA, titled “Directed Energy.” The show’s creator, Mike Weiss, aimed to distinguish CIA from FBI while still maintaining a link between the two. The series centers around an unlikely partnership – a meticulous FBI agent is assigned to help a more unconventional CIA agent on missions, creating a dynamic similar to the classic Odd Couple.

The unlikely duo at the heart of the show drives the story, which revolves around a possible spy within the CIA, global threats, and difficult obstacles for the main characters. In a recent conversation with Ebaster, showrunner Mike Weiss discussed the key relationship between the leads, the origins of the show’s central mystery – the hunt for the mole – and what sets this series apart from FBI.

How CIA Compares To FBI, Explained By Mike Weiss

Paramount Express

Although CIA is connected to FBI, the show’s creator, Mike Weiss, emphasizes that the two shows have distinct perspectives. He told Ebaster that these differences will be immediately apparent in the first episode. Weiss believes Nick Gehlfuss delivers a fantastic performance as Bill Goodman, a dedicated, rule-following FBI agent who is transitioning from straightforward investigations to the more complex and secretive realm of CIA operations.

The FBI investigates crimes, focusing on clear cases and identifiable criminals. The CIA, on the other hand, deals with more ambiguous operations. It’s a much less defined world where the enemy isn’t always obvious, their motives are unclear, and predicting their next move is difficult. Watching shows about both agencies back-to-back each week will likely highlight how different they are, despite some overlap. You’ll quickly notice each agency has its own unique feel.

Weiss finds the appeal of the show lies in how far the CIA is willing to go compared to the FBI. He notes both shows have excellent visuals and fast-paced plots with plenty of action. However, he believes it will be particularly engaging to watch an FBI agent navigate the secretive world of the CIA, where justice doesn’t always mean a courtroom trial or an arrest.

Throughout the series, expect villains to sometimes shift roles, even becoming reluctant allies. The show will focus on the CIA working in unique and unexpected ways to protect the world. Characters will travel internationally as part of their missions, and threats originating abroad will often surface in New York City. Events in New York will have global consequences, and the series will explore how ordinary people are affected by the actions of powerful, often dangerous, individuals and organizations.

The show CIA is building upon the foundation of FBI, emphasizing the inherent differences in how each organization tackles crime. When asked about potential crossovers between the shows, creator Weiss explained that a key distinction lies in how the organizations relate to and impact one another. He described a symbolic ‘magic door’ allowing Bill Goodman to move from the straightforward world of the FBI into the more ambiguous and shadowy realm of the CIA.

One of the exciting things about this is the potential for characters to move between shows. We want viewers to understand that Bill’s character began his career at the 26th FBI field office and is familiar with the people on the ‘FBI’ show – he’s worked with them on cases recently. There’s a unique connection that allows him to work with the CIA, but it’s not a connection everyone from ‘FBI’ shares.

Unlike our show, where access is restricted, the characters on CIA have free rein. As the series progresses, I want viewers to understand this difference. FBI needs to operate openly, with everything carefully documented, while CIA deals with secrets that stay hidden. That’s part of what makes it exciting. Our lead character will have to adjust to this—you can be a hero on CIA, but no one will ever know about it. There won’t be any public announcements or recognition, because the work itself is confidential. That’s the main difference between these two shows.

A central storyline in the show will focus on uncovering a mole, hinted at by the pilot’s ending which suggests a key character isn’t who they seem. This plotline developed from establishing the character of Colin Glass and his habit of keeping secrets. The creator explained, “When you first meet Tom, he seems like a genuinely nice person—but as Colin Glass, he excels at subtly hinting that he knows much more than he lets on.”

The writers wanted to create a sense of mystery, making the audience question what information the character was withholding. This idea, combined with the fact that all the CIA characters had hidden depths, led to the creation of the ‘mole hunt’ plotline. They decided to make those secrets concrete, giving the character, Bill, and the audience something specific to unravel together.

Duos, Friendships, And Surprises In CIA

Zach Dilgard/CBS

Russell Glass and Joe Goodman are the newest pair of partners to lead a Dick Wolf series. A hallmark of franchises like Law & Order is the focus on duos – two colleagues navigating personal challenges while working together to solve cases. “We really love the dynamic between these partners,” said showrunner Peter Weiss, recognizing that this pairing has been a key feature across many shows within the Dick Wolf television universe.

Having worked on Chicago PD years ago, I really enjoyed the show’s use of strong partnerships, so I was excited to bring that energy to FBI. Dick Wolf always envisioned this show as being built around two leads, specifically a by-the-book FBI agent and a more mysterious CIA operative. That core dynamic was there from the start, it’s really fundamental to the whole concept. And I think we absolutely nailed the casting! Both actors are genuinely great guys, and they each have this incredible presence. But it’s when they work together – the way they clash, agree, and approach cases from different angles – that I think viewers will be completely hooked. It’s that interplay that’s going to drive the show.

The core of the show revolves around differing viewpoints – if Bill believes one thing and Colin another, whose perspective is correct? Is it possible they both are? We explore the origins of these opinions and how they shape the narrative. Beyond that, we have a fantastic supporting cast, and I can’t wait for audiences to meet them. Necar Zadegan, who plays the deputy chief, is incredible. She’ll bring a sense of realism, sophistication, and a unique CIA sensibility to the show – we’re huge fans of her work.

Looking back on the making of CIA, showrunner Weiss discussed how the series unexpectedly changed and developed. He explained that while you often start with a clear vision for a show, the final product can vary. He was most surprised to discover the show had a strong emotional core, something that wasn’t necessarily planned from the beginning. He noted that unexpected situations always arise during production, leading to unforeseen outcomes.

I’ve been surprised by how much emotional depth there is in these complex CIA stories we’ve been developing and filming. Whether it’s about a regular person thrown into an unbelievable situation, or someone exceptional losing control, the characters consistently face intense, emotionally charged challenges. I didn’t fully anticipate how impactful that would be.

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2026-02-24 21:33