NCIS star Wilmer Valderrama recently opened up about how the cast bonds while filming the long-running police procedural. In an interview with PEOPLE ahead of the show’s 1000th episode milestone, Valderrama shared his favorite aspects of working on NCIS and how the cast uses the darker storylines as opportunities to connect.
“We have a blast on set!” Valderrama said, emphasizing the joy of working alongside people who “love what they do.” He added, “The funny thing is that the darker the case, the funnier the set. We laugh our asses off. And it doesn’t hurt that the world comes along and enjoys it with us.”
Valderrama joined NCIS in 2016 as Agent Nick Torres and has been a series regular ever since. He expressed his pride in contributing to a show that understands itself and listens to its fans.
Since its premiere in 2003, NCIS has maintained strong viewership, now airing its 21st season alongside spin-offs such as NCIS: Los Angeles and NCIS: Hawai’i. The franchise’s future looks promising, with the main series renewed for a 22nd season and the newest spin-off, NCIS: Sydney, confirmed for a second season.
Valderrama’s character, Nick Torres, faced a turbulent start to season 21, being arrested for murder after confronting the man who tormented his family as a child. This season also included a tribute to David McCallum, who passed away on September 25, 2023, at age 90. McCallum had played the beloved Dr. Donald ‘Ducky’ Mallard since the show’s inception over 20 years ago.
NCIS airs on CBS in the US, and seasons 1-20 are available for streaming on Disney+ in the UK.
