‘NCIS’ Cast: Sarah Clarke As Possible Regular Member And Other Season 14 News
After the departure of NCIS favorites Cote de Pablo and Michael Weatherly from the series over the past few years, fans of the TV show are left wondering if their replacements are going to be enough to fill their characters’ shoes. While Wilmer Valderrama has been confirmed to be a regular member for Season 14, there’s one more spot to be filled in the main cast.
While CBS has yet to make any official announcements on casting news, people have been speculating on which actress will make her way into the NCIS cast. Former 24 star Sarah Clarke, who joined the top-rated drama show back in March, is supposedly at the top of the list to join as a full-time cast member.
Hang in there, #NCIS fans https://t.co/Q2tGDTKmbu @PauleyP pic.twitter.com/uqP5qETtBH
— NCIS (@NCIS_CBS) June 29, 2016
Clarke, whose most memorable role was the antagonist Nina Myers on Fox’s 24, played FBI Special Agent Tess Monroe during the last two episodes on Season 13. On March 23, Deadline reported that Clarke had the option to join the regular cast for Season 14, but as of July 2, nothing has been confirmed on whether or not Clarke will be returning.
In the series, Tess Monroe recently transferred from New York City to Washington, D.C. She has been married and divorced several times, and is described as a no-nonsense woman who is also quick-witted and shrewd, and will protect her team while doing the right thing.
On June 16, CBS made the official news that Valderrama joined the NCIS team, but the actor’s character does not have a name yet. CBS just gave a brief character description that the actor, last seen guest starring on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy and starred on the short-lived Minority Report, will play a once grounded NCIS field agent that has returned after spending years on a deep undercover assignment.
Exclusive:
Thrilled to be joining @NCIS_CBS.. We are gonna have some fun.. And expect the unexpected.. #NCIS @CBS hope you guys are ready.— Wilmer Valderrama (@WValderrama) June 17, 2016
Welcome to our beloved #NCIS family @WValderrama Let's have some fun! https://t.co/VaVMBYW1qr
— Pauley Perrette (@PauleyP) June 17, 2016
The series’ showrunner, Gary Glasberg, released a statement that the show’s executives feel that Valderrama will be a good fit for the NCIS cast, and will fill the void left behind by Weatherly’s Agent Tony DiNozzo.
“Wilmer Valderrama will be able to flex his dramatic, physical and comedic talents in this classic NCIS role. Fans are going to see him like they’ve never seen him before. This is going to be fun. We’re thrilled he’s coming aboard.”
While de Pablo and Weatherly have no plans to return to the drama series, the rest of the popular main cast will stay put for at least the next two seasons. Mark Harmon had signed his two-year contract in February, and Perrette, Sean Murray, Rocky Carroll, and David McCallum had signed their two-year contracts a few weeks ago.
On June 22, CBS announced its fall lineup, with NCIS Season 14 set to premiere on September 20. Two other dramas will also premiere the same night: NCIS: New Orleans and the new drama series Bull.
NCIS: New Orleans is the second spinoff from the flagship series, and will debut its third season in September. Michael Weatherly is the star of Bull, playing Dr. Jason Bull, who is the founder of a successful trial consulting firm. The series is based after Dr. Phil McGraw’s early career as a trial consultant.
If Sarah Clarke is not signed on as a regular cast member for NCIS Season 14, who should be the actress to fill the last remaining cast spot?
[Image via NCIS/Facebook]
