Jennifer Aniston Almost Joined NCIS as Special Agent Caitlin Todd
Jennifer Aniston has long been Hollywood’s “It-Girl,” captivating audiences during her iconic run on FRIENDS and maintaining her status as one of the most respected actresses of all time. While she dominated the ‘90s and early 2000s with her talent and trendsetting presence, few could have guessed that she nearly took her career in a surprising new direction — by joining the cast of NCIS.
Jennifer Aniston as a Secret Service Agent?
As FRIENDS wrapped up its final season, millions tuned in to watch their beloved 20-somethings evolve into mature adults. During this transitional period, Aniston was already looking ahead to her next project, and a fledgling police procedural, NCIS, caught her eye.
According to an oral history of NCIS shared by The Hollywood Reporter, Aniston showed particular interest in the role of Special Agent Caitlin Todd. Charles Floyd Johnson, an executive producer on the show, confirmed that her name came up during casting discussions.
“She had taken a look at the script, and she was very interested in playing the role,” Johnson revealed.
Why Aniston Didn’t Join NCIS
Casting director Susan Bluestein recalled that Aniston was indeed available at the time and could have been considered for the part. However, her demanding schedule as FRIENDS filmed its final episodes prevented her from committing to another series as a regular cast member.
Ultimately, the role went to Sasha Alexander, who brought Special Agent Todd to life. Interestingly, Alexander had a small connection to FRIENDS herself, appearing as an unnamed interviewer in the Season 8 episode, The One with Joey’s Interview.
What Could’ve Been
Had scheduling worked out, Aniston’s portrayal of Caitlin Todd might have taken NCIS in a very different direction. While fans can only imagine how she would have brought her signature charisma to the role, Alexander’s performance solidified the character as a core part of the series’ early success.
Both FRIENDS and NCIS remain cultural staples, available for streaming on Netflix and Hulu, respectively, giving fans the chance to appreciate the legacies of both shows — even if their paths didn’t quite overlap in the way we might have imagined.
