Before Yellowstone, before Lioness—Sheridan helped unravel an assassination plot on a very different battlefield.
Before Taylor Sheridan became one of television’s most dominant creative forces—with hits like Yellowstone, Special Ops: Lioness, and Mayor of Kingstown—he was just another actor chasing roles in procedurals, sci-fi shows, and gritty dramas. While most fans know him best as Deputy David Hale from Sons of Anarchy, fewer remember the day he walked into the world of NCIS: Los Angeles as a sharp-suited Navy captain caught in a covert international conspiracy.
Sheridan’s appearance in Season 2’s “The Enemy Within” may have only lasted a few minutes, but for fans of both his current body of work and tightly-wound thrillers, it’s essential viewing. The episode itself is a tightly-packed hour of geopolitical tension, eerie atmosphere, and precisely the kind of shadowy military intrigue Sheridan would later make a career writing.
A Political Powder Keg in Southern California
Originally aired on March 22, 2011, “The Enemy Within” was one of Season 2’s highest-rated episodes, drawing over 17 million viewers. It opens with a classic NCIS hook: a Navy Intelligence commander vanishes after handing off a mysterious envelope on a Malibu pier. The man he delivered it to? Found murdered hours later. What unfolds is a pressure-cooker investigation centered around a Venezuelan presidential candidate, a planned visit to Los Angeles, and whispers of an assassination plot that could destabilize hemispheric relations.
Callen (Chris O’Donnell) and Sam (LL Cool J) lead the charge, with some chilling moments, credible twists, and just enough cloak-and-dagger flavor to keep viewers guessing. Their investigation takes them deep into Cuban expatriate communities, radical exile groups, and dirty diplomatic games. As the team uncovers the commander’s undercover assignment and a threat on U.S. soil, the race against time becomes palpably intense.
Sheridan’s Scene-Stealing, If Brief, Role
Taylor Sheridan plays Navy Captain Jennings, a Defense Intelligence Officer who briefs the NCIS team on the missing commander’s activities. Though he appears only briefly, his gravitas is unmistakable. He’s clean-cut, no-nonsense, and perfectly at home in a world of secrecy and high stakes.
It’s the kind of role Sheridan was often typecast in during his acting years—military men, cops, suits with classified files—and while it’s minimal, it’s executed with the sharp efficiency that would later define his writing. Looking back, it’s easy to see how his experience in stories like this helped plant the seeds for the worlds he would go on to create.
How NCIS: LA May Have Sparked Sheridan’s Love for Military Narratives
Though Sheridan never explicitly cites NCIS: LA as a turning point, it’s hard to ignore how much of his later writing explores the morality, sacrifice, and humanity of military life. Just look at his post-NCIS resume:
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Special Ops: Lioness delves into shadow operations and the emotional toll they take on operatives, while also questioning the motivations of U.S. interventions abroad.
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Yellowstone’s Kayce Dutton, a former Navy SEAL, struggles with PTSD and the heavy code of loyalty that continues to define him long after leaving the battlefield.
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In Without Remorse, which Sheridan rewrote from a Tom Clancy novel, he stripped away the usual Hollywood gloss to deliver a raw, grounded military revenge thriller starring Michael B. Jordan.
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And in 12 Strong, Sheridan took a supporting role as a CIA paramilitary officer, further emphasizing his connection to stories of sacrifice and duty.
In each of these projects, the portrayal of military service is authentic, unflinching, and deeply human, a stark contrast to the glorified or superficial lens often seen in similar genres.
A Hidden Gem for Fans of Sheridan’s Style
For fans who love Sheridan’s brand of storytelling—where conspiracies unravel in dusty corners of the world, and the “good guys” are as haunted as they are heroic—“The Enemy Within” feels like a precursor. It’s got the DNA: a missing intelligence officer, a looming assassination, a web of political pressure, and a team racing to prevent disaster.
Even if Sheridan’s part is small, the episode plays like a mini-Tom Clancy-meets-Traffic thriller, and his involvement only adds another layer of intrigue for those curious about his evolution from procedural player to prestige powerhouse.
Final Thoughts
Taylor Sheridan’s cameo in NCIS: Los Angeles may not have made headlines back in 2011, but in retrospect, it’s a fascinating time capsule. “The Enemy Within” is more than just a solid procedural—it’s a quietly influential hour that may have nudged a future TV titan toward stories of war, sacrifice, and unseen heroism.
If you’re catching up on NCIS: LA or just need a taste of Sheridan before the next Yellowstone spin-off drops, this episode deserves a rewatch. Not just as a curiosity—but as a turning point.
Where to Watch:
“The Enemy Within” (NCIS: Los Angeles – Season 2, Episode 20) is currently available via digital purchase (Amazon Video, Apple TV) or streaming through platforms like fuboTV and YouTube TV.
Recommended for fans of:
✅ Tom Clancy thrillers
✅ Special Ops: Lioness
✅ Yellowstone’s darker moments
✅ Conspiracy-based procedurals
✅ Taylor Sheridan’s early work
