Paula Newsome is an American actress. She starred in a number of television series, most notable the ABC police drama Women's Murder Club (2007–08), and had recurring roles on NYPD Blue, NCIS, Barry, and Chicago Med. She is best known for her supporting role in the film Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), and her leading role of Maxine "Max" Roby in the CBS crime drama series CSI: Vegas (2021–2024).

Early life

Newsome grew up in Chicago and is a graduate of Morgan Park Academy. She received a bachelor's degree from Webster University’s Conservatory of Theater Arts.

Career

Newsome began having an interest in acting as a child performing in community theater, before moving to New York City. While in New York, she was cast in a number of Broadway productions. She made her big screen debut appearing in a supporting role in the 1992 comedy film Straight Talk starring Dolly Parton. She went on to guest star in a number of notable television series, include Chicago Hope, Law & Order, Ally McBeal, Dharma & Greg, NYPD Blue, ER, Heroes, and Criminal Minds. In film, Newsome has appeared in Guess Who (2005), Little Miss Sunshine (2006), Reign Over Me (2007), Things We Lost in the Fire (2007), Thinspiration (2014), Black or White (2014) and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021).

Newsome was a regular cast member in a number of short-lived television series. First, she co-starred alongside Mark Feuerstein and Lauren Graham in the NBC sitcom Conrad Bloom (1998). In 2003, she appeared in the NBC legal drama The Lyon's Den starring Rob Lowe. From 2007 to 2008, she starred alongside Angie Harmon, Laura Harris and Aubrey Dollar in the ABC police drama Women's Murder Club playing medical examiner Claire Washburn. The following years, she returned to playing guest-starring roles, appearing on The New Adventures of Old Christine, Bones, Parenthood, FlashForward, Drop Dead Diva, Grey's Anatomy, Suits, Castle, and most notably How to Get Away with Murder opposite Viola Davis, for which she received positive reviews. She also had recurring roles on City of Angels, NCIS, and Suburgatory. In 2018 she appeared as Detective Moss in the first season of HBO's Barry. In her Hello! magazine interview she said: "My life took a huge turn after the HBO comedy Barry because Hollywood saw this show where I was allowed to play a role that I absolutely loved; Detective Janice Moss was funny, she was poignant, and finally Hollywood was like, Wait a minute, get her, get her! But I'd been doing that work for years!" In 2019, Newsome appeared in 12 episodes of Chicago Med as Caroline Charles, ex-wife of Dr. Daniel Charles, Chief of Psychiatry, and mother of Robin Charles. She also played Jackie Vance in the CBS series NCIS from 2009-2013

In 2021, Newsome was cast in the leading role of Maxine "Max" Roby in the CBS crime drama series, CSI: Vegas. The series was canceled after three seasons in 2024.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1990Home AloneShopperDeleted Scene
1992Straight TalkEllen
2005Guess WhoDarlene
2006Little Miss SunshineLinda
2007Reign Over MeMelanie
Things We Lost in the FireDiane
2014Black or WhiteJudge Margaret Cummins
2021Spider-Man: No Way HomeMIT Assistant Vice Chancellor

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1992Keeper of the CityReceptionistTelevision film
1996Swift JusticeAda PierceEpisode: "Pilot"
1998Law & OrderCarol MallonEpisode: "Carrier"
Conrad BloomFaye ReynoldsMain role, 13 episodes
1999Chicago HopeMichelle Corwin / Kathy Stalworth2 episodes
Ally McBealPhyllis ButtersEpisode: "Buried Pleasures"
2000Dharma & GregCharleneEpisode: "Weekend at Larry's"
ERRehab Receptionist MargaretEpisode: "Homecoming"
City of AngelsDr. Helen Chanley3 episodes
2001First YearsAlyseEpisode: "Porn in the U.S.A."
Judging AmyMs. PittEpisode: "Nobody Expects the Spanish Exquisition"
2002, 2004The GuardianAngela / James Mooney's Sister2 episodes
2003The Lyon's DenKathy WolfRecurring role, 8 episodes
2003–2004NYPD BlueTammy Carlyle3 episodes
2004FriendsStewardess/Flight Attendant2 episodes (1 uncredited)
2005Yes, DearDonnaEpisode: "The New Neighbors"
Killer InstinctMrs. Cavanagh2 episodes
Night StalkerDr. LawrenceEpisode: "Malum"
Criminal MindsDetective Shea ClavinEpisode: "L.D.S.K."
2007HeroesDr. Witherson2 episodes
2007–2008Women's Murder ClubDr. Claire WashburnMain role, 13 episodes
2009The New Adventures of Old ChristinePrincipal Diane SlaterEpisode: "Hair"
BonesKelly BissetteEpisode: "The Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood"
2009–2013NCISJackie Vance4 episodes
2010FlashForwardDr. Callie LangerEpisode: "Revelation Zero: Part 1"
Drop Dead DivaWanda WilliamsEpisode: "Would I Lie to You?"
2010–2011ParenthoodDr. Robertson2 episodes
2011Grey's AnatomyMrs. SturgeonEpisode: "Disarm"
Pretty Little LiarsCoach Fulton2 episodes
SuitsLucille JacksonEpisode: "Identity Crisis"
20121600 PennAtlanta WeaverEpisode: "Putting Out Fires"
2012–2014SuburgatoryTracy4 episodes
2015Cougar TownPrincipal ShoreEpisode: "Even the Losers"
BackstromJill ChapinEpisode: "Inescapable Truth"
CastleDebbie Parker2 episodes (1 uncredited)
2016How to Get Away with MurderJoyce RobinsonEpisode: "She Hates Us"
Code BlackMargaret WesleyEpisode: "Blood Sport"
2016–2017No TomorrowTyra DeNeil Fields3 episodes
TransparentDr. Leona Gunderson3 episodes
2017DoubtTalia MendezEpisode: "Then and Now"
2018–2019BarryDetective Janice MossRecurring role, 9 episodes Nominated — Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
2019BoomerangVictoria Jackson2 episodes
Chicago MedCaroline CharlesRecurring role, 12 episodes
Magnum P.I.Brianna HealyEpisode: "Murder is Never Quiet"
2020The UnicornVanessaEpisode: "Everyone's a Winner"
The Twilight ZonePastor Nichelle Del RioEpisode: "A Small Town"
2021–2024CSI: VegasMaxine "Max" RobyMain role

External links