CBS’s next high-stakes procedural, CIA, just recruited another familiar face from the One Chicago universe. Natalee Linez has signed on as a series regular, joining star Tom Ellis and Nick Gehlfuss in an FBI spinoff that pairs a rule-breaking CIA case officer with a by-the-book FBI partner. With its character-driven premise and an ensemble built from fan-favorite franchises, the series is shaping up as one of the most closely watched network launches on the horizon.
CBS’s CIA Adds Another One Chicago Standout
Per Deadline, Linez will portray Gina Rojas, a sharp CIA analyst and integral member of the agency’s main team. It’s a key role that positions her character at the nerve center of operations—where intel, instincts, and interagency politics collide. Linez already has a footprint in the franchise world: she previously appeared on Chicago P.D. (season 12) as Valeria Soto, a performance that showcased her tension-ready presence in procedural storytelling.
Her addition deepens the show’s One Chicago ties and strategically widens its appeal to a broad network audience. With Gehlfuss hailing from Chicago Med and Linez connected to Chicago P.D., CIA is tapping into an engaged fan base that thrives on character continuity, layered backstories, and high-stakes investigations.
Inside the Premise: Maverick vs. Rule Follower
CIA centers on Tom Ellis’s case officer, a brilliant operative who doesn’t mind bending procedures to get results, and Nick Gehlfuss’s FBI agent, a steadfast rule follower who believes the process is the point. That philosophical clash is baked into the show’s DNA and gives the series room to explore intelligence gathering, domestic law enforcement, and the gray areas where missions and mandates overlap.
Enter Gina Rojas: as a CIA analyst, she’s poised to bridge the divide between field improvisation and institutional rigor. Her perspective will be indispensable—reading patterns, connecting dots, and providing the intel backbone that can either restrain a maverick or empower him at just the right moment.
Linez and Ellis: Proven Screen Chemistry
Linez isn’t a stranger to working with Ellis. The two previously shared the screen in Tell Me Lies season 2, with Ellis playing Oliver and Linez taking on Lydia Montgomery. That shared history is a subtle but meaningful advantage for a series like CIA, where trust, timing, and quick-fire dialogue matter. Audiences will likely see that familiarity translate into lived-in, believable dynamics within the agency’s inner circle.
A Resume Built for Procedurals
In addition to Chicago P.D. and Tell Me Lies, Linez has appeared on genre staples such as 9-1-1 and CSI: Vegas. Those guest roles honed the precise rhythms that procedural TV demands—efficient character work, emotionally grounded stakes, and the ability to convey urgency in a single look or line. CIA marks her most substantial series commitment in the genre to date, and it’s a platform where her mix of intensity and approachability can shine.
Why Linez’s Casting Strengthens CIA’s Core
From an ensemble standpoint, Linez adds versatility and credibility in equal measure. As Gina Rojas, she can operate at the intersection of plot propulsion and character depth—balancing tactical briefings with personal nuance. That’s especially valuable in a show built on collaboration and conflict: the analyst who can translate raw data into human consequences often becomes the emotional and moral compass.
Her character also helps triangulate the show’s central tension. With Ellis’s operative pushing boundaries and Gehlfuss’s agent measuring against policy, Rojas can articulate the why behind the mission—whether that means endorsing a calculated risk or calling out a dangerous overreach. The result is a three-pronged dynamic that can fuel case-of-the-week urgency while advancing longer arcs.
Fan-Favorite DNA: Lucifer, One Chicago, and Beyond
Tom Ellis, beloved for his charismatic turn in Lucifer, brings swagger and wit to the lead role. Nick Gehlfuss delivers steady, procedural gravitas from his run on Chicago Med. With Natalee Linez joining as Gina Rojas, CIA blends breakout star power with franchise familiarity—an ideal recipe for modern network dramas competing for attention across broadcast, streaming, and social.
That cross-pollination matters. Two One Chicago alums in principal roles not only stoke curiosity among NBC franchise fans but also signal that CIA intends to build a character-first identity within CBS’s lineup. Viewers who love team dynamics, personal stakes, and evolving relationships will find plenty to latch onto from the pilot forward.
Premiere Outlook: A 2026 Midseason Launch
CBS plans to bow CIA in early 2026, positioning it for a midseason debut at a time when audiences actively sample new shows. While Ellis and Gehlfuss will front the series, Linez’s Rojas is set to become a defining presence—shaping the tone, pace, and ethical stakes from inside the command center.
The timing also raises the bar. After CBS canceled FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International, the network’s next FBI spinoff arrives with heightened expectations. The good news: CIA has a compelling hook, crossover-friendly casting, and a thematic lane—intelligence vs. enforcement—ripe for both weekly payoffs and serialized revelations.
Story Potential: Intelligence, Oversight, and the Human Cost
CIA has fertile ground to explore the mechanics and consequences of intelligence work: how analysts interpret incomplete information, what happens when interagency goals collide, and why even the cleanest wins carry a personal price. Rojas can become the narrative hinge for those questions, anchoring the moral calculus inside a team that’s constantly making judgement calls under pressure.
Expect the series to juggle tightly constructed cases with longer-running threads—career-defining investigations, shifting alliances, and the thorny realities of operating in the shadows while answering to public institutions. That balance is where successful procedurals find staying power.
Why This Matters
Natalee Linez’s casting is more than a smart personnel move; it’s a signal of intent. By uniting a Lucifer lead, multiple One Chicago alums, and a timely premise, CBS is positioning CIA to appeal across fandoms and formats. The show gains built-in chemistry, procedural fluency, and a character who can translate the high concept into human stakes.
If CIA sticks the landing—balancing propulsive missions with rich character arcs—it could emerge as CBS’s next watercooler procedural. And with Linez as a core player, the series looks ready to do more than just follow the rules of the genre. It’s prepared to rewrite a few of them.