Despite initial comparisons to Lucifer Morningstar, Tom Ellis’ CIA protagonist could adopt an even more compelling emotional arc simply by adhering to one major fact about the agency. Especially since Tom Ellis’ CIA character Hart Hoxton is the only one currently cast, it’s been largely falling on his shoulders alone to help promote Dick Wolf and CBS’ upcoming FBI spinoff.
That hasn’t been an easy road. First, there was negative buzz about the spinoff’s announcement right after two others were canceled, and now CIA has been bumped to midseason. But even with a somewhat truncated episode count, Tom Ellis’ Hart Hoxton thankfully has the chance to stand out far more than his initial character description might have made seem possible.
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A number of fans have been hoping CIA could redeem FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted’s cancelations, and a lot of that hope stems from the fact that the previously named FBI: CIA is confirmed to take place in New York City. This means Ellis’ character will be operating in the same backyard as the FBI and Most Wanted casts.
Specifically, the spinoff will follow a joint task force between the CIA and FBI, with Ellis’ character representing the former and a yet-to-be-cast costar representing the latter. Hart Hoxton has been described as less inclined to operate by the book than his comparatively rigid partner, which has naturally been the source of preliminary comparisons between Ellis’ CIA and Lucifer characters.
This has been one of the most discussed hooks of the new spinoff, and not just because of Ellis’ popularity with Lucifer fans. Other than Hoxton’s description, the main hook for CIA is that the agency’s joint task force will focus primarily on fighting domestic terrorism. This doesn’t do much to distinguish CIA from a number of Most Wanted episodes.
In fact, it’s almost baffling that this premise won’t reportedly lead to a backdoor CIA pilot in FBI season 8, since FBI’s current main storyline already involves Chinese terrorists infiltrating the Bureau’s New York offices. But there is one particular detail about the real-world foreign intelligence agency itself that could still take the new spinoff in a rather compelling direction.
The Real CIA Can Only Legally Operate On American Soil In Specific Instances
Jurisdictional Concerns Have Previously Been The Source Of Controversy
As interesting as it might be to watch a network procedural about a Lucifer-shaped CIA agent using spycraft to bring down homegrown terrorists, the Central Intelligence Agency can’t generally spy on American citizens without following highly specific legal restrictions. That’s not to say they haven’t on multiple occasions. But, when they do, it unsurprisingly tends to result in widespread controversy.
It doesn’t even require a particularly far-reaching look back at history to find examples of this. For instance, senators Ron Wyden and Martin Heinrich revealed in 2022 that the CIA was collecting mass amounts of personal data without warrants or authorization under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. And they were doing so almost entirely without oversight. As reported by Fortune:
“Instead, the CIA program is authorized under Executive Order 12333, a Reagan-era order that hugely expanded the data-collecting capabilities of U.S. intelligence agencies. According to the senators, that means a lack of oversight from courts, Congress, and even the executive branch itself.”
Without FBI characters appearing in CIA, it’s not actually clear who’s overseeing the task force at the heart of the show’s premise. And a lack of oversight or clear attention to typical protocol could prove discomforting for fans who draw too much of a parallel with real-world controversies. In theory, however, that discomfort could ironically work in the show’s favor.
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“So, my character is called Hart. He is an experienced field officer from the CIA, but he finds himself stuck in what some CIA agents might think was the boring end of the job in, you know, on home soil in New York. But he’s someone who, like many people who work for the CIA, has to use guile and deceit and lies to get what he wants. So there’s a large dose of moral ambiguity that comes with him, but that’s part of his job. So whilst that is, you know, not great for people in actual life, for a TV audience, it’s wonderful entertainment. So, yeah.”
Interestingly, Ellis’ initial comments do suggest that Hoxton’s role before joining CIA’s joint task force is realistically unexciting, but his reference to lying confirms that the meat of the show will involve the more intriguing spy elements associated with the CIA. And that could hint at just why this joint anti-terrorism task force is necessary in the first place.
Why CIA Putting Tom Ellis’ Character In A Subordinate Role Is Great For The Series
It Could Be The Most Compelling Difference Between Hoxton And Lucifer
Tom Ellis in Rush
Most Tom Ellis fans would hardly be upset to see traces of Lucifer Morningstar in Hart Hoxton, especially if CBS grants fans’ wishes to see Lucifer’s Lauren German in CIA. However, making the characters too similar runs the risk of isolating viewers who either didn’t enjoy Lucifer or who simply prefer to see fresher programming.
Hoxton’s description as an agent who cares little for rules and protocol suggests that comparisons are inevitable, but giving Ellis’ CIA protagonist direct oversight raises the stakes if he chooses not to play by the book. This separates him from Lucifer, who viewers largely accepted could get away with anything he wanted.
That’s not to say Lucifer never faced consequences for ignoring police procedure, but the penalties for his choices were generally confined to temporarily negative effects on his relationship with Chloe. Hart Hoxton’s insubordination could impact his job or even freedom in a much more tangible way, meaning any decision to work against protocol would have to require significant motivation.
Forcing Hoxton to make legitimately consequential decisions about when to follow procedure and when to go with his gut strengthens his development substantially. CIA can flesh out Hart’s motivations through his actions and their consequences rather than dialogue alone. And that’s exactly the kind of character-driven formula that could make this one of Ellis’ most intriguing roles yet.
Source: Fortune
