Don’t look for any drawn out House-style auditions when it comes time for NCIS to restock Gibbs’ threadbare team this fall. When the hit procedural kicks off its sixth season on Sept. 23, the replacements for McGee, DiNozzo, and Ziva will have already been chosen. And if the photo to the left wasn’t enough of a clue, at least two of the new recruits will look very familiar to NCIS fans.
Sources confirm that newcomer Jonathan Magnum (far left) will join previous NCIS guest stars Liza Lapira (center) and Jonathan LaPaglia (far right) in filling the void left by Michael Weatherly, Sean Murray and Cote de Pablo — all of whom were reassigned in the finale (but who will remain with the show nonetheless).
Although the length of the new hires’ tour of duty remains top-secret (they’re being billed as recurring players), I’ve been assured by the TPTB at NCIS that disposable plot devices they are not. To that end, I took advantage of my Level III security clearance and gathered some highly classified intel on special agents Keating, Lee, and Langer. Herewith are some highlights:
SPECIAL AGENT DANIEL KEATING (Jonathan Magnum)
* Highly
skilled in computer technology. Has an extensive background in solving
cyber crime, including recent ring of computer intrusions in the DC
metropolitan area.
* Needs improvement in field work; he lacks hands-on experience in the field. His communication skills are also lacking.
SPECIAL AGENT MICHELLE LEE (Liza Lapira)
* NCIS legal division transfer.
* Pursued career as field agent following her stint with Gibbs and team in 2006-2007
* Transfer was delayed due to average assessment from Gibbs.
*
Strong analytical thinker with extensive knowledge of both domestic and
international law. However, has developed a structured form of
methodical investigation. Needs to be more creative in examination and
implementation when research leads to legal or physical road blocks.
* Not in file: She had a secret love affair with one Jimmy Palmer. It’s still a secret to the agency, so shhhhh!
SPECIAL AGENT BRENT LANGER (Jonathan LaPaglia)
* FBI agent with 10-plus years of field work.
* Recommended and referred to NCIS by Gibbs.
*
Previously worked with NCIS and Gibbs on joint NCIS/FBI case involving
the death of Marine near a Mosque under FBI surveillance for suspicion
of domestic terrorism.
* Skilled liaison between external agencies.
* Excellent investigation skills.
* Shows leadership potential.
So what do you think? Are Keating, Lee, and Langer NCIS-worthy?
Are you hesitant to get too attached since it’s probably only a matter
of time before McGee, DiNozzo, and Ziva return to the fold? Got any
burning questions you’d like answered in tomorrow’s Ask Ausiello? Sound
off below!
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I do hope Ziva, Tony and McGee return soon, but anything that brings Jonathan LaPaglia to my TV screen gets the thumbs up from me. Hopefully, his stay is permanent.
I have to confess I was really expecting germ-phobic agent Nikki Jardin to be one of the new team.
ooh! Baby LaPaglia! I’m psyched!
Hmm… Something about that picture just makes me think that they are replacements of the other three. Keating has McGee’s posture and skills. Lee has a Ziva expression. And Langer just sort of has a Tony look… I know the others will still be on the show, but it seems like the evil(?) Director just replaced the three with more who seem like them. But maybe that’s just me..
I suppose I’m looking forward to seeing how this will play out, though I’m not thrilled with their regular status. The two that have been on the show before are just no match for Ziva and Tony, even if I do like them.. But as emteem said, I was kind of expecting Nikki to be on the team… Maybe that’s just wishful thinking because I like her. (What can I say? I’m obsessive-compulsive too.) Can’t wait for the new season!
Ask Ausiello: Any casting news for Jason Dohring?
My reactions:
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1) Yay! Jimmy’s girlfriend is bumped up to recurring! Does this mean that there’s more leopard-print lingerie in the show’s future? If so, then double-yay!
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2) Sounds to me like they’re bringing in LaPaglia to hedge their bets on whether or not Mark Harmon might want to exit the show at the end of the season. Let the speculation begin!
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3) I’m indifferent to the other one so far, except to note that he kinda sounds like a carbon-copy of Probie — err, McGee.
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4) In any case, I would like to see the bland Ziva get killed off and replaced by . . . well, how about (anybody) Sarah (but) Michelle (another Ziva) Gellar?
Please..Tony has got to stay…Along with Magee and Ziva. They have chemistry. And if Gibbs leaves…I leave.
I double agree. We get used to the great chemistry of the main four and if they mess it up, it’ll be the death of the best show on. Nothing else holds a candle to this – so I guess my TV nights are over except for reruns..
If Tony, Ziva and McGee along with Gibbs do not stay than neither do I. Guess I will just have to watch re-runs or move to another channel.
I watch NCIS more for the personalities than the procedural stuff, so I am bummed that the originals have been replaced. I like the Lee character so it may not be all bad. However, if Mark Harmon leaves at the end of the season, it is over for me!
I don’t think any of them will have the right chemistry the others have. I hope they get rid of them early in the season and bring back Tony, Ziva, and Mcgee.
Thay had great chemistry going with the original team,why mess with a good thing!
Wasn’t bummed once I learned that McGee, DiNozzo and David would be back.. I’m just a little concerned about something attributed to Shane Brennen, that I read about three weeks ago.
NCIS is my favorite show. It has the best characters, and story lines. I don’t watch much of what is out there on tv, so much of it is overly contrived and dull.
I’m grateful to Donald Bellisario for once again delivering the goods. Too bad more in the television industry don’t strive to follow his example.
Sorry, hadn’t notied that this was Aussiello Files.. since when does EW include him? Michael Aussiello exemplifies everything wrong with the entertainment industry and media, crass, disconnected from reality, and frankly, he’s a gossip and slander merchant.
EW, I view his addition to the line up as a sign that you’re sliding even further down the slippery slope.
Whatever. That’s my thoughts on the “new” team. I don’t mind Lee and I’ve had a discussion about the merits of “Langer-leering” on another site, but as long as Shane Brennan keeps his word about not making this another stupid House stunt, I don’t really care what the do with the new team since the old team will be coming back…they’d better. I watch the show for Tim McGee, not his carbon-copy.
I’ll give it maybe 5 or 6 episodes to play out (you know..right about sweeps time, maybe) but, much past that, if they don’t get the regular team back and that creepy new boss out of the way, they are in very real danger of losing fans,,,which I don’t think CBS will let happen since this IS their number 2 show, and Shane Brennan doesn’t have THAT much pull
The new team sucks! I want the old team back!!!! It will not be the same and I DO NOT plan on watching anymore! Here’s to re-runs!
I want the old team together or I will not continue to watch which is now my favorite show because of the original team.
Oh forgot – I WOULD stop watching if Mark Harmon is replaced by anyone – he is the team leader – NO ONE ELSE !!
Oh forgot – I WOULD stop watching if Mark Harmon is replaced by anyone – he is the team leader – NO ONE ELSE !!
Any chance they are getting rid of the director (Lauren Holly)? She is the weakest character on the program. Ziva always sucked. Anyway who casted her as a Jew when she looks and is a Latina? Anyone expecting Harmon to marry that Army girl he is dating and retire in Mexico on the last show of the season I expect it to be thelast show when it is cancelled this season?
Mares – It’s really immature to come to someone’s blog just to insult them, especially after you obviously were happy to hear about the NCIS casting scoop that Ausiello just provided. In addition, I find your criticism of EW hard to take since you are apparently not a regular reader of the magazine or website, since then you would’ve known that Ausiello has been here since the beginning of July.
Personally, I find Mikey a lot of fun to read and isn’t that what entertainment is all about? Plus, I appreciate his scoop on my favorite shows (which is why I also know that Donald Bellisario left NCIS over a year ago.)
I don’t really care who the new team members are. I just want to know how and when the old team is coming back. It’s just not the same without Tony, Ziva and McGee. Why would I care about the wannabes? Oh and if Tony goes, I go.
Why spoil a good thing I have watch NCIS sence it started,I want my same team back, what happen to Duckie and the girl in the lab? If Mark Harmon leaves I will go out and by DVD’s and watch them and watch all the re-run.
Lets get your act together a keep a good thing going.
The original team returns (and soon after the new season starts as possible) or I find another TV show to call my favorite. I really enjoyed the chemistry between the Gibbs, DiNozzo and McGee and DiNozzo. Am indifferent to Ziva returning, though. I cannot believe that anyone would be stupid enough to mess with a winning combination, even if it turns out to be only a short term bump in the road.
*wildecat* – you took the words right out of my mouth!!!
I love the chemistry between the characters, and I don’t have the patience to wait and see if they can re-create it with a new cast – even if it is shortlived!
So how long will I have to sit through this “new cast” before my old favorites are back? I would hate to stop watching one of my very few favorite shows, but I will, if Magee, Ziva, DiNozzo aren’t back soon! The only “saving grace” is that Gibbs will still be on – without him, I’d be “outta here” already!
Hmmmm. .are salary disputes going on? It appears that these 3 are ringers for our beloved threesome. Is this the producers way of saying ‘don’t make waves’?
please keep the old team together. nothing will seem the same without them.they do seem to work well together.
Well, CBS has just killed one of my favorite shows. I loved the interaction between Tony, McGee, and Ziva. It was tough getting used to Ziva after the Caitlin was sniped, but I did. In my opinion, Tony is (was?) the real star of the show, the perfect comic foil to Gibbs. He made the show fun. In my experience, one way to inflict a show with bad overacting is to add anyone with the last name LaPaglia to the cast. I find the Lee character grating and annoying to the extreme, and the tolerance of her in-office (or in morgue) relationship with Palmer entirely unbelievable. The McGee replacement is so much a clone that he’ll always be compared to McGee. What next, replace with some cute and perky Goth lab rat? Replace Ducky with an over-knowledgable British coroner?
So, thanks a lot, CBS! I needed to be watching less television anyway. You made it easier.
How long(and I say how not “if”) will we have to go until the team is back together. I gather they will all be reunited, eventually, but how long (# of episodes) will the wait be? And since I have faith (or just am plain stubborn and refuse to believe they won’t be reunited) will we be seeing any more “building” of chemistry between Tony and Ziva?
To Artist – Director Shephard was killed in the season finale.
I still miss Kate – so am indifferent to Ziva going home, but I will not stand for a Tony replacement – no way!
To each his own. Ziva is one of my favorites and makes a grest show mush greater!