NCIS Star Joe Spano Reveals Why He Never Wanted to Join the Main Cast
Joe Spano, known for his role as Tobias Fornell, has made the most appearances on NCIS outside of the main cast, appearing in 58 episodes and one NCIS: New Orleans episode. Despite his long history with the show, Spano never wanted to become a series regular. In a candid conversation on Off Duty: An NCIS Rewatch with former cast members Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo, Spano explained why.
Reflecting on his time in the spotlight during Hill Street Blues, Spano revealed that the demands of being a series regular were too overwhelming. He expressed discomfort with having to alter his personality for promotional events and felt that constantly catering to public perception could lead to losing one’s true self. Spano enjoys his time on NCIS but prefers the flexibility of being a recurring character rather than being consumed by the role.
As for NCIS Season 22, details remain scarce, but fans can expect personal and intense storylines. The season premieres on Monday, October 14, followed by the Leroy Jethro Gibbs prequel, NCIS: Origins. Stream the entire NCIS franchise on Paramount+, including the upcoming Tony & Ziva spinoff starring Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo.
