An unintentional editing error led to Sean Murray’s character, Timothy McGee, transitioning from a one-off guest appearance to becoming one of the enduring figures in “NCIS” history. Originally planned for just a single episode, McGee’s storyline expanded when a minor mistake necessitated his return to collaborate with Michael Weatherly’s Anthony “Tony” DiNozzo.
Despite being initially labeled as a guest star, McGee’s unexpected reappearance wasn’t evident until he officially joined the core cast at the onset of season 2. Throughout the ensuing years, Murray has skillfully molded McGee into one of the franchise’s most vital and indispensable characters.