CBS’s CIA – Stunt Coordination by Ian McLaughlin
Action, intelligence, and precision meet in CBS’s high-stakes series CIA, starring Tom Ellis. Behind the intense tactical sequences and dynamic physical storytelling stands UAA’s Ian McLaughlin, who led stunt coordination and design across multiple episodes.
Bringing cinematic realism to television, McLaughlin’s leadership and team from UAA ensured that every mission, chase, and combat scene reflected both strategy and authenticity.
Creating Authentic Intelligence-Agency Action
Unlike over-the-top spy thrillers, CIA grounds its action in reality — blending hand-to-hand combat, weapons choreography, and technical movement inspired by real intelligence operations.
Working with directors and showrunners, Ian McLaughlin developed action that was not just explosive, but believable — highlighting tension, teamwork, and physical storytelling.
The Coordination Process – Tactical Precision in Motion
Ian McLaughlin’s work as a stunt coordinator and second unit director emphasizes three pillars that make UAA’s reputation stand out:
- Planning: Pre-visualization and detailed choreography sessions with cast and crew.
- Execution: Safety-first coordination of complex set pieces and practical effects.
- Realism: Tactical authenticity, blending cinematic design with real-world strategy.
Through this disciplined approach, the UAA team ensures every scene — whether it’s a covert extraction, a chase sequence, or a confrontation — delivers cinematic impact without compromising safety.
UAA’s Involvement in Network Television
For CIA, UAA provided a multi-location stunt unit capable of adapting to the fast pace of episodic television.
McLaughlin’s ability to manage production schedules, direct stunt performers, and maintain creative continuity across scenes exemplifies the studio’s professional versatility.
About Ian McLaughlin and the UAA Team
A veteran of feature films and network television, Ian McLaughlin has built a reputation for leading teams that blend tactical realism with cinematic style.
At UAA, he’s part of a growing roster of stunt coordinators, second unit directors, and performers delivering high-end action to productions across Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York, and abroad.
Meet more of our UAA-USA Coordinators and Performers working on major television and film projects.
In CIA, the blend of intellect and intensity defines both the characters and the craft behind the camera.
Thanks to Ian McLaughlin and the UAA stunt team, audiences experience intelligence work at full velocity — precise, physical, and powerfully real.
For directors and producers looking to bring authentic tactical action to their next project, UAA-USA delivers the expertise, safety, and cinematic style trusted by major networks.