If your teenager is suddenly very interested in geopolitical intelligence, there is a 99% chance it’s not because they’ve developed a sudden passion for foreign policy—it’s because Tom Ellis is back on TV. CBS's procedural CIA recently wrapped up its first season, and it has quickly become a Monday-night staple. But is this spin-off of the massive FBI franchise actually okay for your teens, or does it lean too heavily into the dark, gritty corners of international espionage?
TL;DR: CBS's CIA is a standard-issue TV-14 procedural that is perfectly fine for most teens, especially those who love a good buddy-cop dynamic. Led by Tom Ellis (of Lucifer fame) and Nick Gehlfuss (from Chicago Med), the show delivers plenty of suspense and action-movie violence, but keeps things remarkably clean compared to streaming-era spy dramas. If your kid is already into crime procedurals, this one is a safe, highly entertaining bet.
The show centers on a classic "odd couple" pairing that works surprisingly well, thanks to a cast that knows exactly how to play to the camera.
- Tom Ellis as Colin Glass: Ellis plays a fast-talking, rule-breaking CIA case officer who operates on instinct and charm. If your teens know him from Lucifer, they’ll recognize the same cheeky, charismatic energy here, though toned down significantly for network television. Colin is the "loose cannon" who values results over red tape.
- Nick Gehlfuss as Bill Goodman: Gehlfuss plays the straight-laced, by-the-book FBI Special Agent partnered with Glass. He is the moral compass—the guy who actually believes in the rule of law and the chain of command. The chemistry between Gehlfuss and Ellis is the engine that drives the show.
- Natalee Linez as Gina Gosian: Linez plays the team's brilliant CIA analyst. She’s the one doing the heavy lifting with the data, translating complex satellite feeds and encrypted messages into actionable intelligence.
- Necar Zadegan as Nikki Reynard: As the CIA Deputy Chief of Station, Zadegan plays the formidable boss who has to keep Colin Glass from completely blowing up diplomatic relations. She brings a sharp, commanding presence to the screen.
With Season 1 wrapped and Season 2 officially greenlit by CBS, the upcoming episodes are set to dive even deeper into this team's dynamic. Based on the first season's trajectory, the sophomore season will likely push these characters into even higher-stakes international waters.
Dick Wolf knows his audience, and he knows how to keep a show firmly within the TV-14 guardrails.
The Violence: Yes, there are guns, explosions, and tactical takedowns. But this is CBS, not HBO. The violence is highly stylized and sanitized—think theatrical shootouts, tense standoffs, and bad guys getting knocked out rather than graphic, gory detail. There’s very little blood, and the focus is always on the suspense of the chase rather than the aftermath of the violence.
The Language & Mature Themes: You'll hear the occasional "hell" or "damn," but nothing that would make a sailor blush. Romantic subplots are kept PG-13—there are some flirtatious glances and implied relationships, but no explicit sexual content.
The Geopolitical Spin: Like most procedurals in this universe, the show features a lot of flag-waving and simplified geopolitics. The bad guys are often foreign agents, terrorists, or rogue actors, and the good guys always save the day. It’s not exactly a nuanced documentary on international relations, but it’s great, low-stress escapism.
Let’s be honest: a lot of network procedurals can feel incredibly mid. They use the same formulaic "case of the week" structure, and by episode five, you feel like you’ve seen the whole season.
But CIA manages to rise slightly above the standard "Dad TV" baseline. The writing is snappy, the pacing is fast, and the global stakes make it feel a bit more cinematic than your average episode of the main FBI series. It’s not groundbreaking art, but it’s highly polished, incredibly watchable, and a fun ride for teens who enjoy action and mystery.
If your teen is hooked on CIA, you don’t need to turn off the TV. Instead, use the show’s highly fictionalized world to talk about how things actually work in the real world. Here are a few low-key conversation starters:
- The FBI vs. CIA Friction: In the show, the FBI and CIA are constantly at each other's throats until they reluctantly team up. Ask your teen: "Do you think real government agencies actually fight like this, or is that just for TV drama?" (Pro-tip: In real life, they actually do have massive jurisdictional battles, which is why joint task forces were created to force them to share data.)
- Hollywood Spies vs. Real Spies: Colin Glass spends half his time in physical fistfights and car chases. Ask: "What do you think a real CIA agent's day-to-day looks like? Do you think they spend more time in sports cars or sitting in front of spreadsheets?"
- Rules vs. Results: Colin is a rule-breaker; Bill is a rule-follower. Ask: "Who do you think is actually right? Is it ever okay to break the law to protect people, or does that just make things worse in the long run?"
Q: What age is CBS's CIA appropriate for?
The show is rated TV-14, which is spot-on. It’s best suited for kids aged 12 and up who can handle standard action-movie violence and mild suspense without getting overwhelmed.
Q: Is there any sexual content or nudity in CIA?
No. Unlike Tom Ellis’s previous show Lucifer, which featured plenty of suggestive themes and skin, CIA keeps things strictly PG-13. There is some light flirting and romantic tension, but no explicit scenes.
Q: Is CIA too scary for younger kids?
It can be intense. The plots involve domestic terror threats, stolen weapons, and kidnappings. While it isn't a horror show, the high-stakes suspense might be a bit much for kids under 10.
Q: Do you need to watch the other FBI shows to understand CIA?
Not at all. While there are occasional crossover characters from the main FBI series, CIA operates as its own standalone story. Your teen can jump right in without doing any homework.
If your teen is looking for more fast-paced thrillers or you want to find something the whole family can agree on, check out our best shows for kids list. If you have older kids and are trying to navigate the wild world of PG-13 and TV-14 content, dive into our digital guide for high schoolers for more practical, real-world tips.
