There have been rumors for years that Jennifer Aniston was considered for a role on NCIS back when it was first being cast.
In the oral history of the hit CBS procedural series from THR, the show’s creators, casting directors, former network heads, and more came together to share secrets from the show that fans might not have known – and one of them was about Jennifer‘s interest in the show.
Keep reading to find out more…
A rumor once spread that Jennifer was interested in the role of Caitlin Todd in the series.
Sasha Alexander eventually got the role, departing the series just two seasons in because of a demanding work schedule.
So, was Jennifer really in the running for the part?
According to Charles Floyd Johnson, an executive producer for both NCIS and Jag, yes.
“I think Jennifer Aniston was available at the time, and her name was floated,...
In the oral history of the hit CBS procedural series from THR, the show’s creators, casting directors, former network heads, and more came together to share secrets from the show that fans might not have known – and one of them was about Jennifer‘s interest in the show.
Keep reading to find out more…
A rumor once spread that Jennifer was interested in the role of Caitlin Todd in the series.
Sasha Alexander eventually got the role, departing the series just two seasons in because of a demanding work schedule.
So, was Jennifer really in the running for the part?
According to Charles Floyd Johnson, an executive producer for both NCIS and Jag, yes.
“I think Jennifer Aniston was available at the time, and her name was floated,...
- 3/12/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Mark Harmon wasn’t NCIS creator Don Bellisario’s first choice for the show. But Bellisario was quickly sold on Harmon after seeing the actor’s performance in The West Wing. His acting on the political drama even informed how Bellisario would end up writing Gibbs.
Don Bellisario decided to keep dialogue to a minimum after seeing Mark Harmon in ‘The West Wing’ Mark Harmon | Erik Voake/Getty Images
Harmon was being looked at for the potential lead role in NCIS from the beginning. Casting director Susan Bluestein remembered that a lot of big names were being floated around for the NCIS lead role. These included the likes of Harrison Ford, Alec Baldwin and Clive Owen. But Bluestein was one of a few executives that had her heart set on Harmon.
“I cast Mark Harmon to play John Dillinger in a movie of the week in 1991, and he was terrific,...
Don Bellisario decided to keep dialogue to a minimum after seeing Mark Harmon in ‘The West Wing’ Mark Harmon | Erik Voake/Getty Images
Harmon was being looked at for the potential lead role in NCIS from the beginning. Casting director Susan Bluestein remembered that a lot of big names were being floated around for the NCIS lead role. These included the likes of Harrison Ford, Alec Baldwin and Clive Owen. But Bluestein was one of a few executives that had her heart set on Harmon.
“I cast Mark Harmon to play John Dillinger in a movie of the week in 1991, and he was terrific,...
- 12/31/2023
- by Antonio Stallings
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Mark Harmon scored big when he ended up being cast in the hugely successful television series NCIS. Like most long-running television shows, NCIS experienced significant change and growth during its years on air. One of those changes included actually writing scripts for the show as it went on.
Mark Harmon once explained how the actors worked on ‘NCIS’ without being given a script Mark Harmon | Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Harmon has been a part of NCIS since its inception. His name was floated around with a list of other A-listers at the time like Harrison Ford and Kevin Bacon. But Harmon was the actor that NCIS made a serious effort in trying to recruit. After casting director Susan Bluestein suggested Harmon, however, others behind the show figured he’d pass on the series.
“Mark was a big deal, and everybody thought, ‘We’ll make an offer to Mark Harmon, and when we don’t get him,...
Mark Harmon once explained how the actors worked on ‘NCIS’ without being given a script Mark Harmon | Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Harmon has been a part of NCIS since its inception. His name was floated around with a list of other A-listers at the time like Harrison Ford and Kevin Bacon. But Harmon was the actor that NCIS made a serious effort in trying to recruit. After casting director Susan Bluestein suggested Harmon, however, others behind the show figured he’d pass on the series.
“Mark was a big deal, and everybody thought, ‘We’ll make an offer to Mark Harmon, and when we don’t get him,...
- 11/11/2023
- by Antonio Stallings
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
‘NCIS’ Creators Considered a Lot of A-list Actor to Play Gibbs — From Alec Baldwin to Patrick Swayze
Fans of NCIS eagerly await season 21 updates, as we can’t wait to find out when the beloved series returns. Unfortunately, we don’t anticipate Mark Harmon’s character, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, appearing. Harmon played Gibbs for 19 seasons before calling it quits. And before Harmon got the job, NCIS creators considered A-list stars to play Gibbs.
‘NCIS’ creators considered A-listers to play Leroy Jethro Gibbs instead of Mark Harmon
Mark Harmon wasn’t always who NCIS creators wanted to play Leroy Jethro Gibbs. While speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, it was revealed that other A-list stars were considered for the role.
Charles Floyd Johnson, executive producer for Jag and NCIS, spoke about the casting challenges production initially faced. “I know Harrison Ford was a name that everybody thought about for Gibbs because he was so perfect,” Johnson told The Hollywood Reporter. “But, I don’t think it ever got further than,...
‘NCIS’ creators considered A-listers to play Leroy Jethro Gibbs instead of Mark Harmon
Mark Harmon wasn’t always who NCIS creators wanted to play Leroy Jethro Gibbs. While speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, it was revealed that other A-list stars were considered for the role.
Charles Floyd Johnson, executive producer for Jag and NCIS, spoke about the casting challenges production initially faced. “I know Harrison Ford was a name that everybody thought about for Gibbs because he was so perfect,” Johnson told The Hollywood Reporter. “But, I don’t think it ever got further than,...
- 10/28/2023
- by Lauren Weiler
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Was Jennifer Aniston ever really eyeing a role on CBS’s hit show, NCIS? The question has triggered quite a buzz, not just among fans but also within the NCIS leadership.
Recent reports suggest that Aniston was keen to step into the shoes of Caitlin Todd while she was winding down her role on Friends.
However, NCIS top brass offer conflicting viewpoints on whether the famed Friends star was genuinely considering a transition to crime procedural drama.
Jennifer Aniston was allegedly interested in joining ‘NCIS’
The real scoop on Aniston nearly landing a role in NCIS is now out in the open.
A collaborative oral history of the successful CBS crime drama with the Hollywood Reporter has revealed previously undisclosed details. One of these revelations involves Aniston’s purported enthusiasm for the show.
Rumors began to swirl years back that Aniston had her eye on the role of Caitlin Todd.
Recent reports suggest that Aniston was keen to step into the shoes of Caitlin Todd while she was winding down her role on Friends.
However, NCIS top brass offer conflicting viewpoints on whether the famed Friends star was genuinely considering a transition to crime procedural drama.
Jennifer Aniston was allegedly interested in joining ‘NCIS’
The real scoop on Aniston nearly landing a role in NCIS is now out in the open.
A collaborative oral history of the successful CBS crime drama with the Hollywood Reporter has revealed previously undisclosed details. One of these revelations involves Aniston’s purported enthusiasm for the show.
Rumors began to swirl years back that Aniston had her eye on the role of Caitlin Todd.
- 10/2/2023
- by Perry Carpenter
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Although NCIS was well-liked from the get-go, not even an elite investigation could have foreseen the show becoming a hit that would span decades and launch a franchise.
It began in spring 2003 as a backdoor pilot for CBS’ sturdy military-law procedural Jag. Co-created by Jag mastermind Donald P. Bellisario (Magnum, P.I., Quantum Leap) and Don McGill (Numbers, CSI), NCIS follows special agents from D.C.’s Naval Criminal Investigative Service, led by Mark Harmon as Leroy Jethro Gibbs. The show’s initial core cast included Michael Weatherly (Tony Dinozzo), Sasha Alexander (Caitlin Todd), Pauley Perrette (Abby Sciuto) and David McCallum (Ducky Mallard). Twenty years later, the series continues to thrive, as it stands as CBS’ No. 1 broadcast drama for five straight seasons and has launched four spinoffs, with the first international entry, NCIS: Sydney, debuting this fall on the network.
In celebration of the series’ premiere on Sept. 23, 2003, The Hollywood Reporter...
It began in spring 2003 as a backdoor pilot for CBS’ sturdy military-law procedural Jag. Co-created by Jag mastermind Donald P. Bellisario (Magnum, P.I., Quantum Leap) and Don McGill (Numbers, CSI), NCIS follows special agents from D.C.’s Naval Criminal Investigative Service, led by Mark Harmon as Leroy Jethro Gibbs. The show’s initial core cast included Michael Weatherly (Tony Dinozzo), Sasha Alexander (Caitlin Todd), Pauley Perrette (Abby Sciuto) and David McCallum (Ducky Mallard). Twenty years later, the series continues to thrive, as it stands as CBS’ No. 1 broadcast drama for five straight seasons and has launched four spinoffs, with the first international entry, NCIS: Sydney, debuting this fall on the network.
In celebration of the series’ premiere on Sept. 23, 2003, The Hollywood Reporter...
- 9/25/2023
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Ahead of the 20th anniversary of NCIS — which falls today, Saturday, September 23 — producers, casting agents, and network execs reminisced about the CBS procedural’s origins, including the actors who were in consideration for lead roles. “I know Harrison Ford was a name that everybody thought about for [Leroy Jethro] Gibbs [ultimately played by Mark Harmon] because he was so perfect,” executive producer Charles Floyd Johnson told The Hollywood Reporter for a 20th-anniversary oral history for the show. “But I don’t think it ever got further than, it was a name thrown out.” Added former CBS casting head Peter Golden, “When you sit down, and you have an initial conversation about casting, no name is off the table. Back in the early 2000s, the Harrison Fords of the world [rarely did TV]. But that didn’t mean you didn’t put them on the list.” Monty Brinton/CBS NCIS casting director Susan Bluestein listed off other people considered...
- 9/23/2023
- TV Insider
The original NCIS team almost looked quite different.
In a very fun THR.com oral history that marks the well-watched Jag offshoot’s 20th anniversary, assorted NCIS vets let loose about who else had been eyeballed back in the day for the roles of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Caitlin Todd and Ducky.
More from TVLineThe King of Queens' Kevin James and Leah Remini Mark CBS Comedy's 25th Anniversary, Remember the Late Jerry StillerBig Brother Recap: Who Went Home in the Season's First Double Eviction? And Will They Stay Gone?NCIS: Sydney Gets New Premiere Date, Time Slot at CBS
Harrison Ford...
In a very fun THR.com oral history that marks the well-watched Jag offshoot’s 20th anniversary, assorted NCIS vets let loose about who else had been eyeballed back in the day for the roles of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Caitlin Todd and Ducky.
More from TVLineThe King of Queens' Kevin James and Leah Remini Mark CBS Comedy's 25th Anniversary, Remember the Late Jerry StillerBig Brother Recap: Who Went Home in the Season's First Double Eviction? And Will They Stay Gone?NCIS: Sydney Gets New Premiere Date, Time Slot at CBS
Harrison Ford...
- 9/22/2023
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
NCIS: Los Angeles‘ Caleb Castille has parlayed his three-episode stint into a full-time gig: The actor has been promoted to a series regular ahead of the CBS drama’s 12th season, Deadline reports.
When the show returns later this fall, Castille’s character, FBI Agent Devin Rountree — who arrived on the scene toward the end of Season 11 and played a large role in the ersatz finale — will receive a job offer from Callen (Chris O’Donnell) and Hanna (LL Cool J). It’s probably safe to assume he will accept it.
More from TVLineBig Brother All-Stars Recap: Did the Right...
When the show returns later this fall, Castille’s character, FBI Agent Devin Rountree — who arrived on the scene toward the end of Season 11 and played a large role in the ersatz finale — will receive a job offer from Callen (Chris O’Donnell) and Hanna (LL Cool J). It’s probably safe to assume he will accept it.
More from TVLineBig Brother All-Stars Recap: Did the Right...
- 9/10/2020
- by Michael Ausiello
- TVLine.com
Exclusive: We’ll be seeing more of FBI Agent Devin Rountree on NCIS: Los Angeles. Caleb Castille, who recurred as the character last season, has been promoted to series regular for Season 12 of the CBS series.
After Castille’s Devin Rountree appears on the radar of NCIS’ Office of Special Operations, Agents G. Callen (Chris O’Donnell) and Sam Hanna (LL Cool J) decide that he may a fit for their tight knit group. Now, Rountree must decide if taking this job and moving to LA will be the correct decision for not only his career, but also for his relationship with his UCLA-bound sister that he’s raised since elementary school.
Castille appeared in three episodes in Season 11.
In addition to O’Donnell and LL Cool J, NCIS: Los Angeles stars Linda Hunt, Daniela Ruah, Eric Christian Olsen, Barrett Foa, Renée Felice Smith, Medalion Rahimi and Caleb Castille. R. Scott Gemmill,...
After Castille’s Devin Rountree appears on the radar of NCIS’ Office of Special Operations, Agents G. Callen (Chris O’Donnell) and Sam Hanna (LL Cool J) decide that he may a fit for their tight knit group. Now, Rountree must decide if taking this job and moving to LA will be the correct decision for not only his career, but also for his relationship with his UCLA-bound sister that he’s raised since elementary school.
Castille appeared in three episodes in Season 11.
In addition to O’Donnell and LL Cool J, NCIS: Los Angeles stars Linda Hunt, Daniela Ruah, Eric Christian Olsen, Barrett Foa, Renée Felice Smith, Medalion Rahimi and Caleb Castille. R. Scott Gemmill,...
- 9/10/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Lisa Soltau was living in Seattle when her friend Bonnie Gillespie sent her a book she had written called "Casting Qs," a compilation of interviews with casting directors. "I read it and I absolutely loved all the aspects of the job," says Soltau. "I loved the entertainment industry and movies and television. The process of casting sounded wonderful."She called one of the two casting offices in Seattle and ended up working as an intern there for about six months. But the CD told her she should move to New York or Los Angeles if she really wanted to pursue a career in casting. "I picked L.A. because I had lived there once for about three years and I thought it would be easier to acclimate there," Soltau says. "Plus I wanted to work on 'Six Feet Under,' which was airing at the time.
- 10/20/2010
- backstage.com
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