As the “NCIS” franchise celebrates a monumental achievement of reaching 1,000 episodes, Wilmer Valderrama, a star of the show, attributes its enduring success to the consistency in delivering captivating storylines.
Renowned for its thrilling investigations and dedicated teams, the “NCIS” franchise has become a cornerstone of television drama. Valderrama emphasizes the pivotal role played by the original “NCIS” cast, particularly actor Mark Harmon, in propelling the show from its beginnings as a few episodes on the classic CBS drama “JAG” to a standalone hit.
Reflecting on the journey, Valderrama acknowledges the significance of paying tribute to the original cast who laid the foundation for the show’s longevity. “A thousand episodes later, and it’s not slowing down,” he remarks.
In the landmark 1,000th episode, the entire NCIS family finds itself under attack. Valderrama’s character, special agent Nick Torres, assumes a pivotal role in this significant episode, highlighting the show’s core theme of protecting those who serve.
Valderrama underscores how “NCIS” has evolved into a tribute to the men and women in uniform. “This show became really a tribute to the men and women who wear that uniform,” he states.
In addition to celebrating the “NCIS” milestone, Valderrama delves into his personal journey in his new memoir, “An American Story.” The memoir, set to be released on September 17th, explores his path to success and the sacrifices made by his family.
Valderrama reflects on the profound realization of his parents’ sacrifices and the effort it took to overcome challenges and achieve his dreams. “Here’s two things that you rarely do when you become an adult: you relive your days as a kid and realize the planning and effort that actually made your current life possible,” he shares. “Reliving your parents’ sacrifice as an adult is something we’ve never took pause and looked back to. When I saw like everything my mother went through … reliving that sacrifice made me really humbled. What it took to get me to where I am.”
Fans eagerly anticipate catching the milestone episode of “NCIS” on Monday, April 15th, airing on CBS and Paramount+.