Tom Ellis is back on network television, and this time he’s not playing Lucifer. He’s playing CIA agent Colin Glass in a new CBS spy series called CIA. The show premiered this winter to 8.4 million viewers, was swiftly renewed for a second season after just five episodes, and now has a new mission in the works.
The official storyline and new images for Season 2, Episode 2, “Dead Drop,” have been revealed. The episode, set to debut on Monday, October 12, pairs FBI Agent Bill Goodman (Nick Gehlfuss) with Glass as part of a joint task force between the two offices.
The Spy Who Wants Revenge
One shot from the new images shows the pair meeting discreetly with Viktor Molotov, played by Gene Farber, who was poisoned by his supposed comrades. Dying from the attack, Molotov offers to help them take out a major threat to U.S. assets. In return, he asks them to aid him in fulfilling his final wish for revenge.
That’s the hook. Acting on his intel will likely be dangerous, as another image finds Colin and CIA analyst Gina Gosian (Natalee Linez) crouching down behind a vehicle to keep out of sight.
A Rough Road to Premiere
CIA premiered this winter after a tumultuous production. The show lost one of its key stars, multiple showrunners departed, and delays kept it out of the fall lineup. Despite the adversity, the premiere was strong, and the renewal came quickly.
The show is led by Mike Weiss as showrunner.
Ellis’ Long Path to the Small Screen
Tom Ellis has been a fixture on British television since his breakout turn in the BBC One sitcom Miranda. U.S. audiences didn’t fully see his talents until he arrived on network television. He first appeared as Robin Hood in a single episode of ABC’s Once Upon a Time before taking on the role of Lucifer Morningstar in the hit urban fantasy mystery procedural, Lucifer. That DC-inspired series made him a pop culture icon, running across six seasons between Fox and Netflix before ending in 2021.
He hasn’t stayed away from network television for too long since, joining the wider FBI universe last year with its new spy-centric spin-off, CIA.
The Wider FBI Universe
CIA joins the FBI universe. The series is part of that collection of spin-offs and interconnected shows, though the source does not describe the full scope of the world or how the shows connect beyond the shared FBI-CIA premise.
What the Episode Teases
The new images show Colin and Gina Gosian crouching down behind a vehicle to keep out of sight. The shot suggests the episode will be full of tension, with characters staying hidden and watching their surroundings.
The episode is titled “Dead Drop.” The plot summary confirms the pair will help take out a major threat to U.S. assets, though it is not clear what that threat is or how it connects to Molotov’s revenge.
The Renewal
The show was swiftly renewed for Season 2 after just five episodes. That is a strong signal of audience interest, though the renewal came after a rocky production history.
The Premiere Date
The episode will debut on Monday, October 12. That is the date to mark on your calendar if you have not already been watching the series.
What We Make of It
The news is a teaser for a single episode. It is a brief look at the plot of “Dead Drop” rather than a full rundown of the season.
The images and the storyline suggest a tense, character-driven episode. The revenge plot gives the show a clear hook, and the crouching image sets up a scene of stealth and danger.
CIA has found its footing after a rocky start. The show’s renewal is a vote of confidence in the show’s future, and the premiere’s strong viewership suggests the audience is engaged.
The show is building on its premise from the first season, with new missions and new threats in the second season.
Comparing the Two Seasons
| Season | Episode | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | Not specified | Introduce Bill Goodman and Colin Glass, set up the joint task force |
| Season 2 | Episode 2 (“Dead Drop”) | Colin and Gina face a Russian spy out for revenge, Molotov offers intel |
The table shows the show’s progression. The first season set up the premise, and the second season is now building on it with new missions and new threats.
The premiere date is set, and the renewal is confirmed.
See the video the story is built around at Collider.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.