Now in its 22nd season, NCIS is not only one of America’s longest-running television series, but also one of the most beloved names of all time. Born from the idea of Donald P. Bellisario and Don McGill, the series follows a team of investigative agents from the United States Naval Criminal Investigative Service, specializing in handling cases involving the Navy, Marines and their loved ones. Although set in Washington, D.C., most of the actual scenes were filmed in California.
After more than two decades on the air, not only the stories on screen but also the behind-the-scenes of NCIS are full of interesting surprises. Here are 12 little-known things behind the process of making this television legend:
1. Cote de Pablo Taught Herself Hebrew for the Role
Chilean-born actress Cote de Pablo, famous for playing Mossad agent Ziva David, hired a private tutor to learn Hebrew. She wanted to make sure every line was pronounced correctly and reflected the character’s spirit.
2. Sasha Alexander Actively Asked to Leave the Show
Caitlin Todd’s sudden departure surprised many viewers. However, Sasha Alexander herself asked to leave after two seasons due to her tight filming schedule and overwhelming work pressure.
3. Mark Harmon Used a Self-Mounted Mobile Home as a Dressing Room
No one is as different as Mark Harmon – the main male character of the show. He converted a 1972 Airstream into a unique, fully-equipped and personal mobile dressing room.
4. Jennifer Aniston Almost Played Caitlin Todd
After Friends ended, Jennifer Aniston considered taking on the role of Caitlin Todd. However, her busy schedule caused her to miss the opportunity, and the role was given to Sasha Alexander.
5. The Show Was Filmed in California, Not Washington, D.C.
Although set in the US capital, the entire series was filmed in Santa Clarita, California. Thanks to the talent of the production team, the audience will hardly notice the difference.
6. Rocky Carroll Is the First Black Director of the Series
Not only playing Director Leon Vance, Rocky Carroll is also the first African-American director of NCIS. As of 2025, he is one of the longest-serving directors of the series.
7. NCIS Was Originally a Spin-Off of JAG
NCIS was originally intended to be a spin-off of the JAG series – a famous military drama that aired since the 90s. However, thanks to its resounding success, NCIS has become an independent brand, opening up a series of spin-offs such as NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: New Orleans, NCIS: Hawai’i and most recently NCIS: Sydney.
8. The Name of NCIS Has Changed Many Times
The original name of the show was “NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service” – too long and hard to remember. After a while, the producers shortened it to “Navy NCIS” and finally kept the simple name: NCIS.
9. Pauley Perrette Studied Forensic Science
Before becoming famous for her role as Abby Sciuto, Pauley Perrette studied for a master’s degree in criminal science. She intended to pursue a career in investigation before switching to acting.
10. John Corbett Almost Joined the Spinoff “NCIS: Red”
The actor of Northern Exposure and Sex and the City was once cast as the lead in the spinoff NCIS: Red. However, the project did not air after the pilot episode.
11. Donald P. Bellisario’s Appearance Appears in the Show
It’s not often noticed, but a photo of the series creator – Donald P. Bellisario – appeared on the wanted poster in the first episodes as an interesting Easter Egg for fans.
12. Gibbs’ Tools Are Real Mark Harmon’s
Mark Harmon is a real-life carpenter. He used to bring his own personal tools to the set to use as props in scenes where Gibbs was repairing things or building wooden boats.
