Nick Gehlfuss is ready to take a bite out of the Big Apple with CBS’s CIA, the latest member of the network’s wildly popular FBI franchise. The new series from Wolf Entertainment introduces fans to Special Agent Bill Goodman (played by Gehlfuss), an agent and military veteran who does everything by the book. His life is turned upside down when his superior Jubal Valentine (FBI star Jeremy Sisto) assigns him to work in a CIA-FBI fusion cell with wild card operative, Colin Glass (Tom Ellis), who needs a partner on a particular case. Eventually, Bill learns there is a larger mission at hand.
After playing Dr. Will Halstead for 8 seasons on Chicago Med, Gehlfuss was eager to inhabit a character like Special Agent Goodman. “Bill is walking into an unfamiliar universe with no idea of what he’s getting himself into,” said Gehlfuss. “He’s going to have to learn to exist in the grey.” As an actor who “salivate[s] over the training and research,” Gehlfuss was eager to learn all the tricks of the trade from the series FBI technical advisor, Mike Matera. “I’m constantly asking him questions, and he’s constantly teaching me new things,” reported Gehlfuss. “I’ve learned to disarm weapons. I’ve learned to clear rooms, hallways, and stairs. I have also run a lot of stairs.”
Vital to the series’ success is the dynamic between the orderly Goodman and the cavalier Glass, which Gehlfuss and Ellis expertly bring to the screen. Luckily, the two men get along much better than their characters . “Tom and I were meant to come together,” explained Gehlfuss. “We’re both family men and very hard working.” While Gehlfuss notes that “making a TV show is not an easy feat,” it is much better when “when you’re working with someone you know you can depend on.” “We clicked instantly,” said Gehlfuss simply.
Gehlfuss stopped by the DECIDER studio to discuss the new series, share how he prepped to play an FBI agent, and explain what it means to work with a production company like Wolf Entertainment.
DECIDER: Nick, our national nightmare is over because you’re back on TV in a show from the Dick Wolf universe. What made you want to be a part of CIA?
NICK GEHLFUSS: Well, Wolf Entertainment changed my life once, and they have now changed my life for a second time [laughs]. They are a fantastic company. I knew the playgrounds on CIA would be very different from Chicago Med. Plus, the audition process for CIA was unique. I screen tested with Tom in a way I had never done before. We both had to come to New York; get into wardrobe, hair and makeup; and, film two scenes with a mini crew on location. It is also so great to be back in New York City. This is where I got my start and it is the best place to film.
Wolf Entertainment is really making some exciting shows these days.
They really are. Their shows provide insight into jobs that we think we know so well, but nobody on the outside truly understands the agents’ day to day lives and what they do on behalf of all of us. The company focuses on first responder forward storytelling, and no one does it better. I’m a proud member of the Wolf Pack.
CIA is obviously a spin-off of the FBI flagship series. Were you familiar with the franchise before signing on?
I was. Jesse Soffer—who I knew from working in the One Chicago franchise—has transferred over to FBI: International. With CIA, I knew that they were adding a new element to the franchise. It was exciting to me that the team wanted to shake up the procedural format with this show. The professionals at Wolf Entertainment love to challenge themselves, and I’m happy to be along for the ride.
One of the reasons why this show is so special is the chemistry between you and Tom Ellis. It sounds like you clicked instantly!
I believe in fate. Tom and I were meant to come together. I knew when I auditioned that I wanted to continue working with him. Our off-screen relationship makes it easier to portray our somewhat contentious on-screen dynamic. We’re very comfortable with one another. We’re both family men and very hard working. Making a TV show is not an easy feat. So, working with someone you know you can depend on is the best.
Bill Goodman is such an interesting character because there’s so much bubbling under the surface. What drew you to the role?
The haircut and the shave? [Laughs] Goodman is so different from Will Halstead, the character I played on Chicago Med. He has done two tours in Afghanistan. He carries a gun, not a stethoscope. Bill is walking into an unfamiliar universe with no idea what he’s getting himself into. He has this magic door into the secret society that is the CIA. He’s going to have to learn to exist in the grey, which is exciting. Goodman is going to have to get comfortable with spy craft and going undercover. I personally can’t wait for all of that.
What kind of prep work did you do to play an FBI field agent?
As an actor, I salivate over the training and research. Our FBI tech advisor on the show is Mike Matera, and I’m attached at the hip to this gentleman. I’m constantly asking him questions, and he’s constantly teaching me new things. I’ve learned to disarm weapons. I’ve learned to clear rooms, hallways, and stairs. I’ve also run a lot of stairs [laughs].
Besides the tactical part of learning how to use a weapon safely and the aesthetics of that, the physical aspects of being an FBI agent have been important to my preparation. I’ve been doing push ups, pull ups and sit ups and running. These are things an FBI agent would have to do to even get into the FBI. So, I can basically run the FBI right now [laughs].
You can see the formation of a compelling team in the FBI-CIA fusion cell with Deputy Chief Nikki and Analyst Gina, played by Necar Zadegan and Natalee Linez. What was it like working with these dynamic women?
It’s like being in a great band. Everyone is playing their part so well. Necar and Natalee are fantastic people. We’re doing everything we can to make this the best it can be, and it’s apparent from the first episode. I recently got to watch the pilot, and I felt so satisfied. We’ve really got something here. I’m so excited for FBI fans to see the show because it’s familiar, but it’s totally new. It’s fresh; it’s unique; it’s sexy. People are going to love it.
In a recent interview, show runner Mike Weiss teased that viewers will get to go home with Colin and Bill. What can you say about Bill’s personal life outside of the office?
I think Bill severely underestimated how much time this fusion cell would take up in his life [laughs]. The job also challenges his moral compass because he now must keep secrets from those closest to him. He’s a good mid-western family man trying to balancing work with his home life and showing up for dinner on time. I can tease that he is going to have to provide a lot of excuses to his fiancée as to why he can’t be home more.
The first episode of CIA features an appearance by FBI star Jeremy Sisto. Why is Jubal Valentine’s presence so important?
As Bill’s superior, Jubal loans him out to the to the CIA in a way that makes Bill very apprehensive. Bill Goodman initially thinks this mission is a one-off thing, and by the end, he realizes that it could be a career maker for him.
What’s it like to work with someone so entrenched in the FBI universe as Jeremy?
It’s wonderful. Jeremy and I work very similarly. We’ll chat before a take in character and just get into the moment. He’s a real actor’s actor in that sense. Obviously, he’s a such a pro and has been very welcoming to everyone joining the FBI family. When you are employed by Wolf Entertainment, you enter into a community of artists who are so good at their jobs. Jeremy and I are becoming friends now, and it’s really great. I love that the relationship between our characters will continue throughout this season.
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source decider.com ’
