Jubal Valentine Is the Glue Between Teams

Fans of the FBI franchise know that Jubal Valentine, played by Jeremy Sisto, has always been the connective tissue between teams. He pops up in FBI: International to share cases and intel, while also lending support to Scott Forrester and later Remy Scott. Nina Chase crossed over to Most Wanted, and Isobel Castille has done her share of cameos too.

With CIA on the horizon, it’s clear the spinoff needs a similar anchor. And nobody fits the bill better than Jubal.

Jeremy Sisto Wants to Join CIA

The good news? Jeremy Sisto is all in. While he hasn’t officially received the call, the actor has openly said he’d love to see Jubal lend a hand to the CIA team. He enjoys the crossovers, and Jubal has the perfect professional role to make it happen.

Jubal isn’t just a desk-bound character. He’s the one consistently moving cases around, coordinating resources, and connecting the dots between divisions. Sliding him into CIA would make narrative sense and also please long-time viewers who expect the franchise to keep its worlds tightly linked.

CIA’s Backdoor Pilot That Never Was

What makes this even more interesting is that CIA was originally planned as a backdoor pilot inside FBI. Casting delays forced the showrunners to bump that idea until the season 7 finale, but by then, the timing didn’t work. Instead, CIA went straight to series.

However, clues in the season 7 finale teased what might have been. Jubal was mentioned as working with a “secret team,” and many fans believed that was setting up his involvement with Hart Hoxman’s crew, played by Tom Ellis.

Why Jubal Matters for CIA’s Future

Even if the backdoor pilot never materialized, Jubal remains the character who bridges gaps. He already has ties to the International and Most Wanted teams, and his crossover appearances carry weight. Viewers trust him. The FBI hierarchy respects him. And narratively, his presence explains how different units gain access to high-profile cases.

Without Jubal, CIA risks feeling isolated from the larger FBI universe. With him, the transition feels seamless. Fans can expect mini-crossover moments, intel handoffs, and even ongoing bonds between Jubal and Hoxman if the writers decide to lean into that dynamic.

The Bottom Line

CIA is set to expand the FBI franchise into uncharted territory, but it needs a familiar face to guide the audience into the new world. Jubal Valentine is that face. Jeremy Sisto is ready. All that’s left is for the writers to pick up the phone and make the call.

If they don’t, the new series risks losing the very connective tissue that made this franchise a hit in the first place.