Show summary Hide summary
The CIA cast is thriving off-screen with their own love stories. While Tom Ellis and Nick Gehlfuss play unlikely partners on the new CBS series, the actors are happily partnered with their real-life spouses behind the scenes. We reveal all the couples and relationship details.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Tom Ellis and Meaghan Oppenheimer: Married since June 2, 2019 and share a daughter.
- Nick Gehlfuss and Lilian Matsuda: Married on May 13, 2016 in Ohio with two children.
- Natalee Linez and Brandeaux Tourville: Dating since 2022 after meeting on Instagram.
- CIA Premiere Date: Series launched on February 23, 2026 on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.
Tom Ellis and Tell Me Lies Creator Meaghan Oppenheimer
Tom Ellis, who plays CIA Agent Colin Glass on the series, has been married to screenwriter and producer Meaghan Oppenheimer since 2019. The couple met in 2014 and got engaged in 2017 before tying the knot on June 1, 2019. Their relationship has only grown stronger over the years.
In November 2023, the couple welcomed their first child together, daughter Dolly Ellis-Oppenheimer, via surrogate. Oppenheimer is the creator of the hit Hulu series Tell Me Lies, and Ellis joined that cast in 2022. The pair has demonstrated remarkable chemistry both on and off screen.
CIA cast reveals real-life relationships: Tom Ellis, Nick Gehlfuss, Natalee Linez partner details
Nicholas Braimbridge and Tony Cooper honored in Bridgerton season 4 finale tribute
According to Oppenheimer in a 2024 PEOPLE interview, the couple’s on-screen work together feels natural. She revealed their creative collaboration is not awkward, despite some intimate scenes in Tell Me Lies. Ellis has three other children from previous relationships, making him a devoted father of four.
Nick Gehlfuss and Hotel Marketer Lilian Matsuda
Nick Gehlfuss, who stars as FBI Agent Bill Goodman, has been married to hotel marketer Lilian Matsuda since May 13, 2016. The couple had a memorable wedding in Ohio that same year, with Gehlfuss recalling the weather was perfect. He shared in a PEOPLE interview that it rained in the morning for good luck, then cleared to beautiful skies.
The couple has welcomed two children together, born in 2021 and 2024 respectively. Gehlfuss previously starred in Chicago Med, where his on-screen partner was Torrey DeVitto. In real life, Gehlfuss and DeVitto remain close friends and celebrated her 2024 wedding together.
The couple’s nearly decade-long marriage demonstrates their strong commitment. Matsuda supported Gehlfuss throughout his acting career, and the pair enjoys a private but loving relationship away from the spotlight.
Natalee Linez and Executive Producer Brandeaux Tourville
Natalee Linez, who plays CIA Analyst Gina Gosian on the series, is dating Brandeaux Tourville, an executive producer and owner of production company Rinse and Repeat. The couple has been together since 2022, making their relationship relatively new compared to their co-stars.
| Detail | Information |
| How They Met | Instagram via mutual friend introduction |
| Dating Since | 2022 |
| Podcast Appearance | Guest on Ground Up with Natalee in March 2023 |
| Relationship Model | Six Cs: communication, consistency, compatibility, chemistry, compromise, curiosity |
The relationship blossomed after Tourville messaged Linez on Instagram following a mutual friend’s suggestion. In March 2023, Tourville appeared as a guest on Linez’s podcast Ground Up with Natalee, where the couple discussed healthy relationship dynamics they call the six Cs.
Behind-the-Scenes Chemistry and Off-Screen Bonds
Tom Ellis and Nick Gehlfuss play tension-filled work partners on CIA, but their real-life relationships showcase the importance of strong foundations. Both actors are grounded by their long-term partners, allowing them to bring authenticity to their on-screen dynamic.
“We really weirdly work very, very well together. I think it’s funnier for other people because everyone is naked on our show and he is as well.”
— Meaghan Oppenheimer, Creator of Tell Me Lies, about working with husband Tom Ellis
What Makes the CIA Cast’s Real-Life Relationships Feel Authentic?
The success of the CIA cast in portraying complex professional relationships stems from their grounded personal lives. Their partners provide stability and support as the show navigates the intense world of espionage and international affairs. Whether it’s Ellis and Oppenheimer’s creative partnership, Gehlfuss and Matsuda’s decade-long marriage, or Linez and Tourville’s Instagram love story, each couple brings their own unique strength to the table.
The show premiered on February 23, 2026 on CBS and streams on Paramount+, with new episodes airing Mondays. Fans are discovering that the chemistry on screen may just be enhanced by the genuine connections these actors enjoy off-screen with their real-life partners.
Sources
- People Magazine – Inside the Real-Life Relationships of the CIA Cast, March 2, 2026
- Hello Magazine US – Meet CIA star Tom Ellis’ wife famous for Tell Me Lies
- Cosmopolitan – Tell Me Lies Cast’s Real-Life Partners and Relationships
