# Paula Newsome

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

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1990 | Home Alone | Shopper | Deleted Scene |
| 1992 | Straight Talk | Ellen | |
| 2005 | Guess Who | Darlene | |
| 2006 | Little Miss Sunshine | Linda | |
| 2007 | Reign Over Me | Melanie | |
| 2007 | Things We Lost in the Fire | Diane | |
| 2014 | Black or White | Judge Margaret Cummins | |
| 2021 | Spider-Man: No Way Home | MIT Assistant Vice Chancellor | |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1992 | Keeper of the City | Receptionist | Television film |
| 1996 | Swift Justice | Ada Pierce | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 1998 | Law & Order | Carol Mallon | Episode: "Carrier" |
| 1998 | Conrad Bloom | Faye Reynolds | Main role, 13 episodes |
| 1999 | Chicago Hope | Michelle Corwin / Kathy Stalworth | 2 episodes |
| 1999 | Ally McBeal | Phyllis Butters | Episode: "Buried Pleasures" |
| 2000 | Dharma & Greg | Charlene | Episode: "Weekend at Larry's" |
| 2000 | ER | Rehab Receptionist Margaret | Episode: "Homecoming" |
| 2000 | City of Angels | Dr. Helen Chanley | 3 episodes |
| 2001 | First Years | Alyse | Episode: "Porn in the U.S.A." |
| 2001 | Judging Amy | Ms. Pitt | Episode: "Nobody Expects the Spanish Exquisition" |
| 2002, 2004 | The Guardian | Angela / James Mooney's Sister | 2 episodes |
| 2003 | The Lyon's Den | Kathy Wolf | Recurring role, 8 episodes |
| 2003–2004 | NYPD Blue | Tammy Carlyle | 3 episodes |
| 2004 | Friends | Stewardess/Flight Attendant | 2 episodes (1 uncredited) |
| 2005 | Yes, Dear | Donna | Episode: "The New Neighbors" |
| 2005 | Killer Instinct | Mrs. Cavanagh | 2 episodes |
| 2005 | Night Stalker | Dr. Lawrence | Episode: "Malum" |
| 2005 | Criminal Minds | Detective Shea Clavin | Episode: "L.D.S.K." |
| 2007 | Heroes | Dr. Witherson | 2 episodes |
| 2007–2008 | Women's Murder Club | Dr. Claire Washburn | Main role, 13 episodes |
| 2009 | The New Adventures of Old Christine | Principal Diane Slater | Episode: "Hair" |
| 2009 | Bones | Kelly Bissette | Episode: "The Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" |
| 2009–2013 | NCIS | Jackie Vance | 4 episodes |
| 2010 | FlashForward | Dr. Callie Langer | Episode: "Revelation Zero: Part 1" |
| 2010 | Drop Dead Diva | Wanda Williams | Episode: "Would I Lie to You?" |
| 2010–2011 | Parenthood | Dr. Robertson | 2 episodes |
| 2011 | Grey's Anatomy | Mrs. Sturgeon | Episode: "Disarm" |
| 2011 | Pretty Little Liars | Coach Fulton | 2 episodes |
| 2011 | Suits | Lucille Jackson | Episode: "Identity Crisis" |
| 2012 | 1600 Penn | Atlanta Weaver | Episode: "Putting Out Fires" |
| 2012–2014 | Suburgatory | Tracy | 4 episodes |
| 2015 | Cougar Town | Principal Shore | Episode: "Even the Losers" |
| 2015 | Backstrom | Jill Chapin | Episode: "Inescapable Truth" |
| 2015 | Castle | Debbie Parker | 2 episodes (1 uncredited) |
| 2016 | How to Get Away with Murder | Joyce Robinson | Episode: "She Hates Us" |
| 2016 | Code Black | Margaret Wesley | Episode: "Blood Sport" |
| 2016–2017 | No Tomorrow | Tyra DeNeil Fields | 3 episodes |
| 2016–2017 | Transparent | Dr. Leona Gunderson | 3 episodes |
| 2017 | Doubt | Talia Mendez | Episode: "Then and Now" |
| 2018–2019 | Barry | Detective Janice Moss | Recurring role, 9 episodes Nominated — Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series |
| 2019 | Boomerang | Victoria Jackson | 2 episodes |
| 2019 | Chicago Med | Caroline Charles | Recurring role, 12 episodes |
| 2019 | Magnum P.I. | Brianna Healy | Episode: "Murder is Never Quiet" |
| 2020 | The Unicorn | Vanessa | Episode: "Everyone's a Winner" |
| 2020 | The Twilight Zone | Pastor Nichelle Del Rio | Episode: "A Small Town" |
| 2021–2024 | CSI: Vegas | Maxine "Max" Roby | Main role |