Summary
Many stars have been welcomed into the fold of theNCISuniverse throughout the franchise’s two decades, andsome have opted to expand their roles beyond acting.With over 1,000NCISepisodes and counting — andNCISseason 21 endingwith more stories left to tell — cast members have had plenty of opportunities to step into other positions. The actors have been able to plug into the franchise’s six spin-off shows throughout the years, and many of them have also extended their role on the franchise’s flagship.
NCIShas compelling things ahead, with the main series renewed forNCISseason 22and two expansion series in the works. Earlier this year, CBS and Paramount+ announced they would create two spin-off shows based around original Major Case Response Team members Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Anthony DiNozzo, and Ziva David, with the beginnings ofNCIS: OriginsandNCIS: Tony & Ziva, respectively. Thenew series provide exciting opportunities for veteranNCISactorsto participate in their production.
All 12 TV Shows In The NCIS Shared Universe Explained
The popular NCIS franchise is massive, and it shares its expansive universe with several iconic TV shows. Here’s how they all fit together.
7Brian Dietzen
Writing - NCIS
Brian Dietzen is a prime example of someone who got their start acting onNCISbut then expanded their role in the franchise beyond that. Dietzen joined the show to play Dr. Jimmy Palmer in the series' first season. In fact, Jimmy is one of only two remaining characters who appeared in the first season ofNCISand are still on the show. What also makes Dietzen valuable to the show is that he has helped write it as well.
The actor’s progression is even more impressive considering thatDietzen began as a one-day guest star. So far,Dietzen has earned writing credits across three episodes ofNCIS, one in each of the show’s three most recent seasons. He helped write season 19, episode 13, “The Helpers,” and season 20, episode 14, “Old Wounds.” Most notably, Dietzen co-wrote season 21, episode 2, “The Stories We Leave Behind,” which paid tribute to Dietzen’s predecessor, David McCallum, after McCallum died at 90. In all three episodes, Dietzen is credited withNCISwriter and executive producer Scott Williams.
The actor’s writing role in “The Helpers” was born out ofastroke that Dietzen experienced just before the pandemic,which had the actor fearing the worst: that he may never act again. The episode tackles difficult conversations between a parent and their child about death. The episode also facilitates the conversation after Jimmy is exposed to a deadly bio-toxin while his daughter is at NCIS Headquarters, and it’s a fitting moment for his character, considering the inspiration behind his involvement. Dietzen’s role in the episode’s creation surely factored into the outstanding acting performance he delivered.
6Daniela Ruah
Directing - NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: Hawai’i
Kensi Blye actor Daniela Ruah has evolved her role in theNCISfranchise to include directing credits. The actor got her start in the cast ofNCIS: Los Angeles, being introduced alongside characters like G. Callen (Chris O’Donnell) and Sam Hanna (LL Cool J). Ruah’s involvement in the franchise would expand to directing episodes on her own Los Angeles-based series, the island-basedNCIS: Hawai’i, and the flagshipNCIS.
Ruah began directing in 2021, earning directing credit onNCIS: Los Angelesseason 12, episode 11, “Russia, Russia, Russia;” season 13, episodes 7, “Lost Sailor Down,” 14, “Pandora’s Box,” and 19, “Live Free or Die Standing;” and season 14, episodes 5, “Flesh & Blood,” and 14, “Shame.” FollowingLos Angeles' cancelation, Ruah also got to flex her directing skills in one episode of bothNCISandNCIS: Hawai’iin their most recent seasons. She directedNCISseason 21, episode 4, “Left Unsaid,” andNCIS: Hawai’iseason 3, episode 7, “The Next Thousand,” which directly followedtheNCIS1000th episode.
5Mark Harmon
Executive Producing And Narrating - NCIS, NCIS: New Orleans, NCIS: Origins
Aside from his acting,Mark Harmon’s role in theNCISfranchise is extensive, with the actor serving as producer or executive producer on over 350 episodes of the series, starting in 2008. The actor was a favorable production partner, considering Harmon served as the face of the franchise for nearly two decades, and his character remains synonymous withNCIS. DespiteHarmon’s exit inNCISseason 19, he was listed as an executive producer for the series' most recent season.
When the franchise launched its bayou-based spin-off, Harmon joinedNCIS: New Orleansas an executive producer as well. The actor is listed as an executive producer for all 155 episodes ofNew Orleansacross its seven seasons. With a history that is so deeply ingrained in the franchise, it’s no surprise that Harmon will return to help produce theNCIS: Originsshowas well. Harmon has joined forces with his son, Sean Harmon, on the prequel series that will expand Gibbs' backstory. He will also return to narrate the show.
4Sean Harmon
Executive Producing - NCIS: Origins
Sean Harmon will expand his role in theNCISfranchise by working alongside his father in the production ofNCIS: Origins. Harmon joined the quintessentialNCISseries in a pivotal role for the franchise: portraying the younger version of his father, Mark Harmon’s character, Jethro Gibbs. Sean portrayed the to-be NCIS agent at pivotal times in his life, appearing in flashbacks to explain how Gibbs met his first wife, Shannon, along with other defining life milestones.
It’s fitting that Harmon will joinNCIS: Originsto meld its production becauseSean established the role of young Gibbs. While Harmon is the right age to continue to portray the young Marine in the series,Austin Stowell has been cast as young Gibbs. While the backstory-based series is one of two upcoming expansion shows that the franchise will spin off from main MCRT characters,NCIS: Originsis taking a major risk that the other series is not. Since Sean Harmon will not reprise his role as young Gibbs, his role as executive producer will be all the more important.
3Rocky Carroll
Directing - NCIS
Rocky Carroll has also expanded his role in the production ofNCIS.It’s a fitting evolution for the actor who ties theNCISfranchise recordfor popping up in the most shows. Carroll has appeared in his role as NCIS Director Leon Vance inNCIS,NCIS: Los Angeles,NCIS: New Orleans, andNCIS: Hawai’i. However, the actor’s role in the franchise extends beyond his portrayal of the NCIS director.Rocky Carroll has directed 23 episodes ofNCISsince 2015.
Carroll has directed at least one episode per season sinceNCISseason 5. Most recently,Carroll directedNCISseason 21, episode 3, “Lifeline,“which saw Kasie Hines (Diona Reasonover) get abducted to help former NCIS agent Eric Webb (Chris McKenna) prevent an explosion. The episode was a deep-dive into the team’s forensic scientist, who gets personal about her dating history with a former agent. The skillful development of Reasonover’s character at the hands of Carroll’s direction was a standout of the season.
2Cote de Pablo
Executive Producing - NCIS: Tony & Ziva
It may come as no surprise that Ziva David actor Cote de Pablo is expanding her role in theNCISfranchise, especially considering the buzz about the actor returning forNCIS: Tony & Ziva.De Pablo will return to theNCISfranchiseto reprise her role as the Mossad-turned-NCIS agent. She will also supply valuable input into the show’s creation as an executive producer.
Perhaps no one is better suited to give input on Ziva’s role, and de Pablo has already been a powerful force in shaping the character into a strong, Israeli-Jewish woman that audiences could look up to. In fact,de Pablo’s exit fromNCIScame about when she became dissatisfied with her character’s story. De Pablo’s return now suggests that the actor is confident that she can make Ziva a powerful force of representation yet again, and her executive producer role will ensure that Cote is in the driver’s seat.
Cote de Pablo also expanded her role in the franchise during her stay on the original series. InNCISseason 6, episode 1, “Last Man Standing,” she performed Tom Waits' “Temptation.” Her performance on the seriesupheld a surprisingNCISfranchise trend, and it gave her credits within the franchise that reached beyond her acting. While her performance is interrupted at the beginning of the episode, a full version of the song was recorded by de Pablo and is featured on “NCIS: The Official Soundtrack,” released in 2009.
1Michael Weatherly
Directing And Executive Producing - NCIS, NCIS: Tony & Ziva
As Cote de Pablo is expanding her role in theNCISfranchise, it’s not too surprising that Anthony DiNozzo’s actor, Michael Weatherly, is too. Weatherly’s character became synonymous with ZivaDavidwhen he leftNCISto answer the call of parenthood, leaving the MCRT behind to raise the daughter he shares with Ziva. Weatherly will return to theNCISfranchise alongside de Pablo to continue Tony and Ziva’s romance.His return will also comprise an executive producer role forNCIS: Tony & Ziva, putting him in the position to advise how to develop the former field agent’s story.
Weatherly also previously expanded his role in theNCISfranchise in the flagship series, with his credits for the show including directing. Michael Weatherly stepped up from his usual acting role and was in the director’s chair forNCISseason 8, episode 17, “One Last Score,” and season 10, episode 18, “Seek.” His previous experience means viewers could see him the director’s chair again forNCIS: Tony & Ziva.
NCIS
Cast
NCIS is a television series that follows a team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Premiering in 2003, the show explores various cases involving Navy and Marine Corps personnel, ranging from murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines.
