Lucifer Star Tom Ellis Heats Up Dick Wolf's CIA Drama

Olivia Bennett, 9/17/2025Darlings, CBS's "CIA" is serving us a deliciously dramatic cocktail of talent, with Natalee Linez joining forces with "Lucifer" heartthrob Tom Ellis in Dick Wolf's latest small-screen spectacle. With more casting twists than a Hollywood red carpet and a delayed 2026 debut, this government drama is already giving us divine behind-the-scenes drama!

CBS's latest venture into the world of acronym-heavy drama, "CIA," isn't just another procedural rolling off the Dick Wolf assembly line. The upcoming spinoff has morphed into something of a family reunion for Wolf Entertainment veterans – and the guest list keeps getting more interesting by the minute.

Fresh from turning heads on "Chicago P.D.," Natalee Linez is stepping into the world of international espionage as Gina Rojas, a CIA analyst who'll undoubtedly bring more than just intelligence reports to the table. Network insiders whisper that her character might just be the wild card this show needs to distinguish itself from its FBI-branded cousins.

Speaking of distinguished company – Tom Ellis, who spent years making audiences swoon as the devilishly charming Lucifer Morningstar, is trading his piano bar for CIA credentials. He's joining forces with "Chicago Med" alum Nick Gehlfuss in what sounds like the kind of odd-couple pairing that network executives dream about during their power lunches. Ellis as the maverick CIA officer? Gehlfuss as the straight-laced FBI agent? It's almost too perfect.

But hold onto your security clearances, because the drama isn't confined to what's happening in front of the cameras. The show's behind-the-scenes shuffle reads like a Hollywood power play. Originally eyeing a fall 2025 premiere (remember when we thought flying cars would be a thing by then?), "CIA" has been pushed to midseason 2026. Warren Leight has stepped in as showrunner, replacing "FBI: Most Wanted" veteran David Hudgins – a changing of the guard that's got industry watchers raising perfectly groomed eyebrows.

Michael Michele rounds out the ensemble as the head of CIA's New York Station, bringing the kind of commanding presence that makes even hardened agents stand a little straighter. With Dick Wolf himself at the helm, surrounded by a producing team that could probably run a small country if they weren't so busy making hit shows, "CIA" seems poised to fill the void left by the conclusion of both "FBI: Most Wanted" and "FBI: International" last May.

Does the television landscape need another government agency drama? Well, considering the ratings these shows pull in, viewers apparently can't get enough of badge-flashing and jurisdiction-crossing tension. Besides, with streaming services throwing money at increasingly outlandish concepts, there's something almost comforting about a well-executed procedural with a stellar cast.

Mark those calendars for midseason 2026 – "CIA" is shaping up to be the kind of show that'll have viewers setting their phones to Do Not Disturb faster than you can say "national security." Just don't expect any actual CIA agents to confirm or deny the show's accuracy. That's classified.

Television's most prolific producer is serving up another helping of government intrigue, and this time the recipe includes a dash of familiar faces that's making industry insiders buzz with anticipation.CBS's latest venture into the world of acronym-heavy drama, "CIA," isn't just another procedural rolling off the Dick Wolf assembly line. The upcoming spinoff has morphed into something of a family reunion for Wolf Entertainment veterans – and the guest list keeps getting more interesting by the minute.Fresh from turning heads on "Chicago P.D.," Natalee Linez is stepping into the world of international espionage as Gina Rojas, a CIA analyst who'll undoubtedly bring more than just intelligence reports to the table. Network insiders whisper that her character might just be the wild card this show needs to distinguish itself from its FBI-branded cousins.Speaking of distinguished company – Tom Ellis, who spent years making audiences swoon as the devilishly charming Lucifer Morningstar, is trading his piano bar for CIA credentials. He's joining forces with "Chicago Med" alum Nick Gehlfuss in what sounds like the kind of odd-couple pairing that network executives dream about during their power lunches. Ellis as the maverick CIA officer? Gehlfuss as the straight-laced FBI agent? It's almost too perfect.But hold onto your security clearances, because the drama isn't confined to what's happening in front of the cameras. The show's behind-the-scenes shuffle reads like a Hollywood power play. Originally eyeing a fall 2025 premiere (remember when we thought flying cars would be a thing by then?), "CIA" has been pushed to midseason 2026. Warren Leight has stepped in as showrunner, replacing "FBI: Most Wanted" veteran David Hudgins – a changing of the guard that's got industry watchers raising perfectly groomed eyebrows.Michael Michele rounds out the ensemble as the head of CIA's New York Station, bringing the kind of commanding presence that makes even hardened agents stand a little straighter. With Dick Wolf himself at the helm, surrounded by a producing team that could probably run a small country if they weren't so busy making hit shows, "CIA" seems poised to fill the void left by the conclusion of both "FBI: Most Wanted" and "FBI: International" last May.Does the television landscape need another government agency drama? Well, considering the ratings these shows pull in, viewers apparently can't get enough of badge-flashing and jurisdiction-crossing tension. Besides, with streaming services throwing money at increasingly outlandish concepts, there's something almost comforting about a well-executed procedural with a stellar cast.Mark those calendars for midseason 2026 – "CIA" is shaping up to be the kind of show that'll have viewers setting their phones to Do Not Disturb faster than you can say "national security." Just don't expect any actual CIA agents to confirm or deny the show's accuracy. That's classified.