Why Is There No New FBI This Week (December 24) & When Will International, Most Wanted, & Flagship Return

Warning! Spoilers ahead for FBI, International, & Most Wanted.CBS has several reasons for not airing new episodes of the FBI shows tonight. Each series ended on an exciting note, leaving the audience to debate which is the best FBI show while waiting for the next installment. The flagship series was especially shocking, as OA was forced to fatally shoot Clay despite feeling he owed Clay his life, leaving open the question of how he would handle the fallout from their confrontation.

Meanwhile, FBI: International's Wes Mitchell demonstrated how different he is from Scott Forrester when he decided to go rogue after Greg Csonkas, the violent criminal who killed Wes' partner in LA. The criminal escaped and shot Vo during an ambush, leaving her life hanging in the balance. Finally, FBI: Most Wanted promised emotional fallout for Ray and Sheryll after a corrupt and racist police force arrested them while they were on a case. All of these cliffhangers left the audience on the edge of their seats, but they will have to wait a while for the next new episode.

Why There Are No New FBI Episodes Tonight (December 24, 2024)

CBS Is Airing Christmas Specials Instead

It was unlikely that CBS would air new episodes of any FBI series tonight, considering that it is Christmas Eve. Traditionally, networks air holiday specials during the Christmas season, especially on Christmas Eve and Day. CBS has not broken from this tradition in years. It is airing special programming from 8 PM ET onward. At 8 PM, CBS airs Christmas With Andrea Bocelli, and at 10 PM it airs Nate Bargatze's Nashville Christmas, with an episode of The Price Is Right At Night in between.

Even if this were not Christmas Eve, CBS would not have aired new episodes tonight, as all three FBI series are on hiatus following their fall finales on December 17, 2024. Networks traditionally take an extended break during the holiday season to give the cast and crew some time away from work while also allowing them to get ahead on their broadcasting schedules. Instead, they air reruns or specials during this time of year and return after the New Year.

When Will New Episodes Of FBI, International, & Most Wanted Release?

There Are Still Several Weeks Before The Series Return

Although the holiday season will soon be over, new episodes of FBI and its spinoffs will not return for several more weeks. The next new episodes are not scheduled to air until January 30, 2025, almost a month after the new year begins. This long break is frustrating considering the intense cliffhangers the shows left off on. However, it is necessary so that CBS can ensure it has enough episodes left in the season to last through early or mid-May when TV shows typically wrap up for the summer.

The long break also gives audience members time to catch up or refresh their memories by rewatching episodes on streaming. All episodes that have aired thus far in FBI season 7, FBI: International season 4, and FBI: Most Wanted season 6 are available on Paramount+. In addition, CBS will likely rerun some episodes in January ahead of the winter premiere to remind the audience of where each series left off.

What To Expect From The FBI Shows When They Return

Each Show Offers Personal Drama Mixed With Heart-Pounding Action

CBS has not yet released any information about the next episodes of the FBI franchise except for the release date, but audiences can expect the same heart-pounding action and heartbreaking personal drama that they are known for. FBI left OA in bad shape after he shot Clay, as he was forced to kill the man who went rogue to save his life when he was a prisoner of war in Afghanistan. This scenario will likely add to the psychological burden he is already carrying as a result of his experiences in the war.

Meanwhile, FBI: International will continue the story of Mitchell going rogue and hunting for Csonka with the intent of killing him before he hurts anyone else. This intense story will be coupled with the final reveal of Vo's fate; the premiere will answer if Vinessa Vidotto is leaving FBI: International. Whether or not Vo survives, this storyline will be emotional, and the question is also open as to what happens if the Fly Team gets a new case while Mitchell is off on his personal mission.

FBI: Most Wanted's cliffhanger was less straightforward. The Fugitive Task Force cracked the case and was finally able to arrest the corrupt police chief and stop the officers under him from terrorizing civilians, especially people of color, so there wasn't any real cliffhanger. However, Ray had to be told several times to stand down after the cop who arrested him without cause surrendered to the FBI, so it's likely that the next story will deal with his mental health issues after this case. The distance Remy's girlfriend wants from him could also become a problem when the FBI shows return.