The FBI spinoff CIA has cast another One Chicago star in a major role. The upcoming CBS series stars Tom Ellis as a CIA case officer who plays fast and loose with the rules while his partner, portrayed by Chicago Med cast member Nick Gehlfuss, is an FBI agent and ardent rule follower.
After Ellis and Gehlfuss’ characters are assigned to work out of the CIA’s New York Station, they have to learn how to collaborate despite their drastically different personalities and approach to the law. Michael Michele is also part of the cast as the head of CIA’s New York Station.
According to Deadline, Natalee Linez is now joining CIA as a series regular. She will play Gina Rojas, who is a CIA analyst and key member of the main team. Linez previously starred in a season 12 arc of Chicago P.D., where she played the role of Valeria Soto.
What This Means For CIA
As CIA’s main cast continues to take shape, Linez is a compelling addition who not only has history with the One Chicago shows, but has also worked with Ellis before. Linez and Ellis were part of Tell Me Lies season 2’s cast, with Ellis playing Oliver and Linez playing Lydia Montgomery.
Between Linez’s experience with procedural TV shows and working with Ellis, she is well-suited to being a series regular in CIA. Having two One Chicago stars play main characters is also a smart move that will help bring in more fans from the beloved NBC franchise.
Along with her roles in Chicago P.D. and Tell Me Lies, Linez has appeared in single episodes of other procedurals, including 9-1-1 and CSI: Vegas, but CIA is her biggest role yet in the genre. While Ellis and Gehlfuss will be the faces of the series, Linez will also be a key character who helps define the show when it makes its CBS debut in 2026.
Our Take On Natalee Linez Joining CIA
Between Ellis, who delivered a fantastic performance in Lucifer, and the inclusion of multiple One Chicago stars, the next CBS procedural series already has a strong cast. The series is not debuting until the midpoint of the network television season in early 2026, but the addition of Linez is another reason to already be excited about it.
After CBS canceled FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International, hopefully the same fate will not befall the next FBI spinoff. Fortunately, with a promising premise and an impressive cast to bring it to life, CIA should at least get off to a strong start when the show premieres next year.
