The Original NCIS Team Almost Cast This Friends Star as Caitlin

Summary

• NCIS is one of CBS's flagship shows that hasn't returned this year.
• The show's casting director revealed that they might have considered a Friends star for the role of Caitlin.
• Their eventual choice has her own interesting connection to the sitcom.

By now, it's clear how many projects have been impacted by the writers' and actors' strikes. On CBS alone, two major shows haven't returned for the fall season. Specifically, the seventh and final season of Young Sheldon has been postponed indefinitely, with its release date still under wraps. Similarly, due to the strikes, NCIS, the network's long-standing police procedural, has yet to premiere its twenty-first season.

Since its debut in 2003, NCIS quickly soared in popularity, solidifying its place as CBS's premier crime drama and amassing a vast fanbase. Over its impressive run, the show has rolled out a staggering twenty seasons and spawned five spin-offs. One of these, titled Sydney, is produced internationally. Over its tenure, NCIS has featured a multitude of actors that viewers have grown fond of. However, the show's cast could have been very different.

A Major Friends Actress Could've Played Kate on NCIS

Marking its twentieth year on air, it's no surprise that NCIS has become a hot topic, especially amidst the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike. Recently, the creators shared intriguing details about the much-loved crime drama, with casting revelations that are nothing short of astonishing.

Remarkably, Jennifer Aniston, renowned for her role in Friends, was once considered for the role of Special Agent Caitlin Todd. Susan Bluestein, the NCIS casting director, shared that discussing Aniston's potential involvement in the cult police procedural was on the table. With the NBC sitcom nearing its conclusion, casting her seemed feasible.

'I don't remember ever offering it to Jennifer Aniston. Jennifer Aniston could very well have been a name that we discussed,' Bluestein tersely said in an interview.

Sasha Alexander

In the end, Sasha Alexander was selected to bring Kate to life. While her stint on NCIS was intermittent – appearing mainly in the first two seasons and making guest appearances in seasons 3, 9, and 12, in addition to some voiceover contributions in season 8 – her character remains deeply cherished and is always a delightful addition to the show.

Intriguingly, before joining NCIS, Sasha Alexander had a brief role on Friends, sharing the screen with Jennifer Aniston. She was featured in episode 19 of season 8 as Shelley, the journalist who interviewed Joey for Soap Opera Digest.

While fans wait for the release of NCIS's twenty-first season, they can check out NCIS: Sydney, which will be premiering on Paramount+ Australia on 10 November.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter.