Keck's Exclusives: Casting the NCIS: Los Angeles Spin-Off
NCIS: Los Angeles
Would CBS' NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles be monster successes if such charismatic actors as Mark Harmon, Pauley Perrette, LL Cool J and Chris O'Donnell hadn't been cast in the leading roles? Probably not. Now Shane Brennan, exec producer of the franchise, is hoping to spin off yet another series. This one, scheduled to test-launch as a special episode of NCIS: L.A. this spring, centers on a mobile organization called Red Team. Here are the major roles currently being cast, along with some recommendations of actors who might be looking for work.
Special Agent Paris S.
Age: Early 40s
Qualities: Alluring, athletic and flirtatious, with a high I.Q. and a sharp tongue
Past: She has two ex-husbands, no kids and a Ph.D. in chemistry. Hobbies include golf and pistol shooting (she competed in the Olympics). Prefers to work solo.
Dream casting: Sarah Wayne Callies (The Walking Dead's Lori Grimes)
Special Agent Roy Q.
Age: Mid 40s
Qualities: Ruggedly handsome, wise and somewhat damaged
Past: He was forced to retire from active service and is now employed as Red Team's operations manager. Has a past with Paris, but hasn't seen her in seven years.
Dream casting: Adrian Pasdar (Heroes' Nathan Petrelli)
Special Agent Danny G.
Age: Early 30s
Qualities: Messy, bad driver with a droll sense of humor
Past: This single forensic specialist trained by the NYPD loves gadgets, baseball and snorkeling.
Dream casting: Derek Phillips (Friday Night Lights' Billy Riggins)
Special Agent Clara H.
Age: Early 30s
Qualities: Worldly, athletic and charming; skilled driver with a passion for photography
Past: She earned a master's in international politics and a law degree from Harvard. Her dad was a war correspondent, and she's fluent in several languages.
Dream casting: Erica Durance (Smallville's Lois Lane)
Technical Assistant Kai A.
Age: Early 20s
Qualities: Bright, witty, likable and tech-savvy
Past: Known as "Mr. Fix-It," he's a computer engineer with a degree from MIT who was raised by his grandmother in South Central Los Angeles.
Dream casting: Malcolm David Kelley (Lost's Walt)
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