FBI: International premiered on CBS in 2021 as the second spin-off of Dick Wolf’s FBI drama. It follows the elite agents of the FBI’s International Fly Team, headquartered in Budapest, as they travel the world protecting Americans wherever they may be. The series ran for four seasons, with 77 episodes across its run, ending in May 2025.
The show’s premise is simple: a team of FBI special agents operates abroad, investigating crime and terrorism in Europe and beyond. They face threats against American interests, navigating uneasy partnerships with foreign law enforcement and restrictions on using firearms. The series is designed to contrast with American police procedurals that mostly take place within the U.S., giving viewers a taste of international law enforcement.
Trailer, via TV Promo 360.
The Fly Team in Budapest
The team is led by FBI Supervisory Special Agent Scott Forrester, described as a tough and grizzled agent. Under his supervision are:
- FBI Special Agents Jamie Kellett, a career agent and second in command
- Andre Raines, a young but highly intelligent agent with expertise in accounting
- Cameron Vo, an interrogation expert who is the newest team member, having formerly served in the Seattle FBI field office
Katrin Jaeger assists the team as a veteran Europol Agent from Germany, helping them navigate political and linguistic barriers. She is promoted to oversight of all Europol operations at the end of season 1, and Megan “Smitty” Garretson, an old fling of Forrester, takes her place.
Cast Changes Over Four Seasons
The casting shifted significantly over the course of the series. Luke Kleintank, Heida Reed, Vinessa Vidotto, Christiane Paul, and Carter Redwood were cast to star in July 2021. Paul exited the series in July 2022, with Eva-Jane Willis replacing her as a new character.
Heida Reed left the show sometime during the third season, announced on December 7, 2023. Luke Kleintank followed, leaving during the third season as well, announced on April 23, 2024. The next day, Colin Donnell joined the cast as a guest on the third season.
Jesse Lee Soffer joined as a new series regular for the fourth season, announced on June 20, 2024. Christina Wolfe joined the cast as a new series regular for the third season on November 29, 2023.
Season-by-Season Timeline
| Season | Premiere Date | Renewal/Cancellation |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | September 21, 2021 | Full season ordered in October 2021 |
| 2nd | September 20, 2022 | Renewed in May 2022 |
| 3rd | February 13, 2024 | Delayed from September 2023 due to strikes; 13 episodes |
| 4th | October 15, 2024 | Renewed in April 2024 |
| Final | May 2025 | Canceled in March 2025 |
The Striking and Its Aftermath
The show faced significant disruption. The third season was delayed from September 2023 due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. As a result, there were just 13 episodes in the third season instead of the usual count.
At the start of season 3, an explosion destroyed the Fly Team’s headquarters. This event reshuffled the team’s composition. Special Agent Amanda Tate was assigned to the team as a tech analyst, while Kellett transferred back to the DC Field Office.
Forrester later left the team and the Bureau after reuniting and going on the run with his fugitive mother. Special Agent Wesley “Wes” Mitchell got assigned in his place.
The International Flavor
The show’s international setting is central to its identity. Most American police procedurals take place almost exclusively within the U.S., and FBI: International deliberately pushes against that norm. The team operates in foreign jurisdictions, dealing with local laws, customs, and law enforcement partners who are often reluctant to cooperate fully.
The series also explores the legal challenges of operating abroad. The agents must navigate political and linguistic barriers, and they are restricted in how they can use firearms. These constraints give the show a distinct flavor compared to its domestic counterparts.
What Works and What Doesn’t
The show is at its best when it leans into its international setting. The team’s interactions with foreign officials, the cultural clashes, and the logistical hurdles of working across borders all add texture to the procedural formula. When the show stays grounded in its location, it feels fresh.
Where the show falters is in its handling of personal drama. The soap opera elements surrounding Forrester’s departure and the arrival of Mitchell feel tacked-on rather than earned. The show tries to build tension through romantic entanglements and family secrets, but these threads often get tangled rather than tightened.
The pacing across the seasons is uneven. The third season’s truncated episode count, a consequence of the strikes, means some storylines felt rushed. The fourth season had to reintroduce Mitchell to audiences who had grown attached to Forrester.
Our View of FBI: International
FBI: International is a solid entry in the Dick Wolf franchise. It offers a fresh setting and a team that feels distinct from its predecessors. The show’s commitment to its international premise is admirable, even if it sometimes struggles to balance that with conventional procedural plotting.
The cast changes, particularly the exits of Kleintank and Reed, were handled professionally. The show found new talent in Soffer and Wolfe, and the transition to Mitchell as Forrester’s replacement was smoother than it could have been.
The series ran for four seasons, and it delivered a consistent product across that span. It is not a reinvention of the wheel, but it is a reliable one.
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