Paula Newsome (born October 7, 1961) See also: is an American actress. She starred in a number of television series, most notably in 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 on Chicago's South Side, residing in ChathamNeale, April (May 11, 2018). "Exclusive: Barry star Paula Newsome on Det. Janice Moss, ‘rarified air’ and unraveling a murder". Monsters & Critics. Retrieved June 12, 2026. "M&C: When did you learn how to ride a horse and was it for a film or movie or just you were always drawn to them? Paula: Yes, it was just that. I grew up on the south side of Chicago in Chatham, and we would take family vacations and then whenever we would go someplace, whether it’s south or north or east, I thought it was the whole family but I’ve since found out from my sister that it was me. That we’d end up riding horses. I’d be like, 'Where’s the nearest stable?' And we got to do that on a regular basis." and attending Howalton Day School and later 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.An Interview with Paula Newsome (Claire, Women's Murder Club) By Rachel Thomas, About.com Guide, Jan 14 2008. 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,FlashForward adds Paula Newsome By Jay Tomio of BSCReview.com, October 27, 2009 at 3:44 pm 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 YearTitleRole Notes 1990 Home Alone Shopper Deleted Scene 1992 Straight Talk Ellen 2005 Guess Who Darlene 2006 Little Miss Sunshine Linda2007 Reign Over Me Melanie 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" Conrad Bloom Faye Reynolds Main role, 13 episodes1999 Chicago Hope Michelle Corwin / Kathy Stalworth 2 episodes Ally McBeal Phyllis Butters Episode: "Buried Pleasures"2000 Dharma & Greg Charlene Episode: "Weekend at Larry's" ER Rehab Receptionist Margaret Episode: "Homecoming" City of Angels Dr. Helen Chanley 3 episodes2001 First Years Alyse Episode: "Porn in the U.S.A." 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" Killer Instinct Mrs. Cavanagh 2 episodes Night Stalker Dr. Lawrence Episode: "Malum" 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 episodes2009 The New Adventures of Old Christine Principal Diane Slater Episode: "Hair" Bones Kelly Bissette Episode: "The Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" 2009–2013 NCIS Jackie Vance 4 episodes2010 FlashForward Dr. Callie Langer Episode: "Revelation Zero: Part 1" Drop Dead Diva Wanda Williams Episode: "Would I Lie to You?" 2010–2011 Parenthood Dr. Robertson 2 episodes2011 Grey's Anatomy Mrs. Sturgeon Episode: "Disarm" Pretty Little Liars Coach Fulton 2 episodes Suits Lucille Jackson Episode: "Identity Crisis" 2012 1600 Penn Atlanta Weaver Episode: "Putting Out Fires" 2012–2014 Suburgatory Tracy 4 episodes2015 Cougar Town Principal Shore Episode: "Even the Losers" Backstrom Jill Chapin Episode: "Inescapable Truth" Castle Debbie Parker 2 episodes (1 uncredited)2016 How to Get Away with Murder Joyce Robinson Episode: "She Hates Us" Code Black Margaret Wesley Episode: "Blood Sport"2016–2017 No Tomorrow Tyra DeNeil Fields 3 episodes Transparent Dr. Leona Gunderson 3 episodes 2017 Doubt Talia Mendez Episode: "Then and Now" 2018–2019 Barry Detective Janice Moss Recurring role, 9 episodesNominated — Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series2019 Boomerang Victoria Jackson 2 episodes Chicago Med Caroline Charles Recurring role, 12 episodesMagnum P.I. Brianna Healy Episode: "Murder is Never Quiet"2020 The Unicorn Vanessa Episode: "Everyone's a Winner" The Twilight Zone Pastor Nichelle Del Rio Episode: "A Small Town" 2021–2024 CSI: Vegas Maxine "Max" Roby Main role
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