Nick Gehlfuss Compares ‘CIA’ & ‘Chicago Med’ Characters: ‘If You Like Will…’

Meredith Jacobs
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Nick Gehlfuss as Dr. Will Halstead — 'Chicago Med' Season 11 Episode 2 'A Game of Inches'
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Nick Gehlfuss is back on Chicago Med for more than one episode, starting with the milestone 200th on Wednesday, October 8, but you’ll be able to see him on TV again soon after that. He’s part of the cast of the new CBS drama, CIA, an offshoot of FBI premiering early next year.

CIA follows two unlikely partners: a fast-talking, rule-breaking loose cannon CIA case officer (Tom Ellis) and a by-the-book, seasoned, and smart FBI agent who believes in the rule of the law (Gehlfuss). Operating out of CIA’s New York Station, the two must learn to work together to investigate cases and criminals posing threats on U.S. soil. Their differences may actually be their strength.

When TV Insider spoke with Gehlfuss about his Med return, we also asked about his CIA character, Bill Goodman.

“His name is Bill and not Will. It’s such a hard stretch to go from a Will to a Bill. You have no idea,” Gehlfuss said with a laugh. “He is a by the book FBI agent, so, very much different than Will going by his own rules. And he is teamed up with essentially a Will Halsted of the CIA, played by Tom Ellis. And so it is a wonderful collision of the odd couple in a way. And yeah, please tune into that. If you like Will, you’ll love Bill.”

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There are already three other shows in the FBI world — the original plus two spinoffs, Most Wanted and International, both of which were canceled earlier this year. This new series expanding on that universe will have a different style of storytelling, with cases coming from both agencies. And with a focus on the two main leads, we’ve heard that’s the hook of the series, with their “odd-couple” dynamic and the ups and downs of that relationship what will keep people tuning in, along with following the cases of the week.

What are you hoping to see on CIA? Let us know in the comments section below.

CIA, Series Premiere, 2026, CBS

Chicago MedCIANick Gehlfuss



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  1. T

    Taylor

    The spinoff sounds interesting, and I am excited tune in. However, out of the three FBI series, FBI International was by far the most authentic and best show of the lot. I understand the production costs caused the cancellation, along with the cancellation of Most Wanted. Yet I feel like CBS should have just canceled Most Wanted, and kept International.

    Between the two canceled FBI spinoffs, Most Wanted was in part, at least able to have some assemblance of a conclusion and finale with its last episode.

    International was left hanging.

    FBI international had more depth to both the characters and the plot, sometimes combining the two. It was much more accurate with weapons tactics, building searches, etc., The consultants did a fantastic job and can be easily seen in S1:E1, when Forster is teaching handgun tactics to local police.

    FBI Most Wanted lacked the most in terms of this, followed by FBI. It’s hard to watch Maggie being so self righteous as if she was in charge and Scola’s arrogance. Also why on the original FBI, do the characters go from wearing business attire to don the exact same black outfit then back to business attire ? Realistically, they don’t coordinate and change outfits like Batman.

    I thought we’d see International continue its story plots with the intel community, forming the new spin off but would be a bit odd to see both Halstead brothers now on FBI.

    Either way, I would love International to come back for a short run to give the show & fans some closure.