Last season, NCIS fans were introduced to the colourful new characters about to be featured in their own version of the naval crime series, but as the spinoff approaches, it isn’t forgetting its origins.
Slurpee-guzzling Pauley Perrette will guest star on NCIS: Los Angeles’ second episode, when the series embarks on an early crossover attempt, presumably to remind viewers one more time that yes, this thing is indeed happening.
“She's directly involved in helping us solve the case,” says executive producer Shane Brennan. “Pauley is very excited to be joining us, and I think it's something that the fans are going to absolutely really enjoy.”
Of course they will; NCIS is a staple series, and it’s widely believed in TV circles that this spinoff is almost a guaranteed success, with or without crossovers. The casting of eye-candy actors LL Cool J and Chris O’Donnell could be considered a bonus, as they will appeal to a younger, more target-friendly audience.
“I feel more pressure to live up to the fans' expectations than I do maybe to the network or the studio expectations,” says O’Donnell. “There are very loyal fans and a huge following.”
In the spirit of that notion, Brennan will continue overseeing both series, and Rocky Carroll, who joined the original as a series regular last year, will continue on NCIS while branching out to L.A. to perform double duties as the Director Leon Vance character.
Joining him in the managerial role is the tiny but commanding Linda Hunt, who has nothing but adoration for actors helping her make the transition from film to TV.
“On the first day, when I was absolutely beside myself because I had this long list of specs for a new, up-to-date cellphone,” she recalls. “Chris picked up the little cheat sheet that I had, and he got a piece of Scotch tape, and he Scotch-taped it to his chest. His back was to the camera. So every time I thought, 'Oh, I don't know what the next thing is,' I just looked at Chris's chest. It was wonderful.”
NCIS: Los Angeles premières Tuesday, Sept. 22, 9 p.m. ET, Global/CBS.
Amber is currently reporting live from the TV Critics Press Tour in L.A. Check out complete coverage here. amber@tvguide.ca
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