### Jennifer Aniston Almost Starred in NCIS—Here’s What Happened
Jennifer Aniston could have had two iconic shows under her belt, but opted for just one. Launched in 2003, CBS’s long-standing police procedural giant, NCIS, generally avoided casting big Hollywood stars, preferring relatively unknown actors and propelling them to international fame. However, there was a time when the franchise nearly deviated from this path by considering a major role for an already well-known actress.
Talking about the show’s creation history, the NCIS team addressed a rumor about Jennifer Aniston’s interest in one of the big roles. At the time, Aniston was still filming Friends but was considered for the role of Caitlin Todd, which eventually went to Sasha Alexander.
According to NCIS executive producer Charles Floyd Johnson, “Jennifer Aniston was available at the time, and her name was floated.” Susan Bluestein, NCIS casting director, didn’t recall Aniston’s candidacy specifically but admitted that the actress “could very well have been a name that we discussed.”
Sasha Alexander ultimately landed the role of Caitlin Todd but left the show after just two seasons due to her tight schedule. This forced the series’ creators to kill off her character in the season 2 finale, shocking fans and characters alike.
Had Jennifer Aniston taken the role, it’s possible that Caitlin Todd’s storyline could have been extended, altering the show’s trajectory. Instead, Alexander’s departure led to the introduction of Ziva David, a character that became a fan favorite.
Fans can only speculate how different NCIS might have been with Aniston as Caitlin Todd. Nonetheless, Sasha Alexander’s portrayal and subsequent exit paved the way for the beloved Ziva David, proving that sometimes, unexpected changes can lead to remarkable outcomes.
