The New Head of the Lab – Paula Newsome

When I realised that CSI Vegas was about to hit the screen, I was beside myself with excitement. It was my favourite CSI above the New York and Miami versions, and I was truly bereft when it came to an end.

Now, it’s back with exciting changes to the cast but also bringing back some of the old characters to draw us viewers in; Gil Grissom, Sara Sidler and David Hodges all have a big part to play in Season 1 and rumour has it that Catherine Willows will play an equally important role in Season 2. Even, the original theme music, ‘Who Are You?’ by The Who is back to tickle our earbuds once again.

CSI: Vegas – Series 1 Picture shows: Paula Newsome as “Maxine” from the CBS series CSI: Vegas, scheduled to air on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2021 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

But the old cast members are only there to support the new cast, namely the new head of the lab Maxine ‘Max’ Ropey played by the lovely Paula Newsome who is probably best known for her role as detective Janice Moss on HBO’s Emmy-winning series “Barry.”

Newsome was born and raised in Chicago. Four months after moving to New York, she was cast in Lincoln Center’s Tony Award-winning “Carousel.” She then performed in several Off-Broadway and regional productions, before making her big screen debut opposite Dolly Parton in the romantic comedy “Straight Talk.”

CSI Vegas – Series 2 – Episode 9 – In the White Room
Picture shows: When the bodies of two Regency Romantic Festival attendees are discovered, the CSI team uncovers a shocking link between their murders and previous cases, on the CBS Original series CSI: VEGAS
Pictured: Paula Newsome as Maxine Roby.
Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS ©2022 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

She also co-starred alongside Angie Harmon in the police drama ‘Women’s Murder Club’ and had numerous guest star appearances on notable television series, most recently an emotional arc on ‘Chicago Med’ and ‘City of Angels,’ with Viola Davis. Other television credits include ‘Suits,’ ‘Transparent,’ ‘Pretty Little Liars,’ ‘NCIS,’ ‘Suburgatory’ and ‘How to Get Away with Murder.’

How does she feel about this new opportunity to work on such an iconic show? Speaking recently to CBS’s Matt Weiss she explained how she was approached to play the role of Max Ropey: “You know it’s one of the things that you never imagined happening.

CSI: Vegas – Series 2 – Episode 19 – “Dead Memories”
Picture shows: – When wrongly accused former suspect Gene Farrow (J.P. Manoux) enters the Crime Lab covered in blood, wielding a cleaver and looking for Allie Rajan, the CSI team investigates his peculiar story about a macabre party with a fatal ending, on CSI: VEGAS. Eric Szmanda reprises his original CSI role of Greg Sanders. Pictured: Paula Newsome as Maxine Roby and Jay Lee as Chris Park. Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2023 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

You imagine getting all kinds of phone calls, but you don’t imagine getting cold calls to be a lead on the next CSI reboot. I’m just very, very grateful. It’s an amazing opportunity. You know, I took a picture of myself because I was so shocked. I just took a picture of my expression, and I looked like that little kid from Home Alone”.

Newsome attended Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri and earned her degree in Musical Theatre. She is trilingual, speaking English, French and Italian, and enjoys riding horses. Currently, she resides in Los Angeles.