“CIA,” the upcoming new entry in the “FBI” franchise at CBS, has cast two major roles.
Variety has learned that Nick Gehlfuss and Michael Michele are set to star in the series opposite previously announced lead Tom Ellis. The show was officially picked up to series in April and will launch at midseason at the broadcast network.
Gehlfuss will star as Ellis’ FBI counterpart in the series, while Michele will play a supervisor at the CIA. The official logline states that the show is “centered on two unlikely partners – a fast-talking, rule-breaking loose cannon CIA case officer (Ellis), and a by-the-book, seasoned and smart FBI agent (Gehlfuss) who believes in the rule of law. When this odd couple are assigned to work out of CIA’s New York Station, they must learn to work together to investigate cases and criminals posing threats on U.S. soil, finding that their differences may actually be their strength.”
The casting keeps Gehlfuss in the Dick Wolf universe, as he previously starred as Dr. Will Halstead in “Chicago Med” while also appearing as the character across the other “One Chicago” shows at NBC. Gehlfuss departed “Chicago Med” in 2023 but is set to appear in the upcoming 11th season in a guest star role. He is also known for roles in shows like Shameless”, “Newsroom”, “Power,” Person of Interest” and “Royal Pains.”
Gehlfuss is repped by Gersh and MJ Management.
Michele’s recent credits include shows such as “Queen Sugar,” “The Equalizer,” “Dynasty,” and “Star.” She has also starred in shows like “Homicide: Life on the Street” as well as “ER” and “New York Undercover,” the last of which was also a Dick Wolf show. In film, her notable roles include “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” “Dark Blue,” “Ali,” and “New Jack City.”
She is repped by Untitled Entertainment, Innovative Artists, Schreck Rose.
“CIA” was originally intended to launch as a planted spinoff of “FBI,” but delays in casting instead led CBS to announce the series order for the show with plans for a fall launch. Further delays and a change in showrunners led to CBS moving the show to midseason.
“CIA” is executive produced by Dick Wolf, Warren Leight, Eriq LaSalle, Paul Cabbad, Nicole Perlman, David Chasteen, and Peter Jankowski. Leight will also serve as showrunner. Universal Television produces in association with Wolf Entertainment and CBS Studios.
