Does NCIS: LA Have One of TV’s Best, Deepest Benches of Recurring Players?
This week on NCIS: Los Angeles, as Callen and Sam raced to Egypt to get a bead on kidnapped colleague Fatima Namazi, they required an assist from Vostanik Sabatino. For loyal viewers of the CBS procedural, the moment was loaded with highly entertaining meaning, given the team’s previous interactions with the CIA officer (played by ER alum Erik Palladino).
The previous episode similarly brought back Bar Paly as the always enigmatic Anna Kolcheck — another reliable player that is intermittently called off of NCIS: LA‘s deep, well-established bench.
That bench, in addition to NCIS: LA‘s generally more “explode-y” stylings, is one of the things that distinguishes it from the mothership. Sure, NCIS: Original Flavor trots out Tobias Fornell and DiNozzo Sr. now and again, but they are typically sprinkled in for color, or as unlikely POIs in a Case of the Week.
Sabatino and Anna — along with Special Agent Nicole DeChamps (White Collar‘s Marsha Thomason), retired Navy Admiral Hollace Kilbride (TV all-star Gerald McRaney) and Special Prosecutor John Rogers (House‘s Peter Jacobson) — meanwhile either directly assist the team, or pop up like bad pennies to keep rule-bending Callen & Co. in check.
But most importantly, the instant one of those faces appears on screen, what comes with it is a rich history of previous engagements and interpersonal dynamics, established here and there throughout the series’ 11-season, 250-plus episode run. You know Sabatino will question NCIS’ tactics, begrudgingly help out, and then keep tally of how they “owe” him. You know Kilbride will show distaste for Eric’s shorts and Deeks’ mop. You know that DeChamps and Sam share a sweet shorthand when out in the field together, if not the hint of a spark.
Other such recurring characters that we are happy to see spring up are NCIS Special Agent Arlo Turk (played by Max Martini) and JAG‘s own Admiral A.J. Chegwidden (John M. Jackson), as well as Roberta Deeks (Pamela Reed), among others. With their presence comes a warmth and a familiarity, and almost always a spoken nod to their and NCIS’ storied history.
Earlier this season, TVLine praised NCIS: LA‘s deep bench during a conversation with showrunner R. Scott Gemmill — specifically with regards to Medalion Rahimi’s then-recurring run as Fatima, which has since blossomed into a series regular role.
“That’s the great thing about being on for so long,” Gemmill responded. “We sort of created this nice pool of recurring actors, whether it’s Sabatino or Arkady [played by Vyto Ruginis] or Turk…. What’s great for us is we have this group of actors we all like, and characters we can rotate in. We have a lot of fun.”
Who tops your personal list of favorite NCIS: LA recurring players?
Heh heh, if you really think about it, this show has a LOT of recurrers!! (and they’re adding another one this Sunday)
My personal faves would be Anna and Bertie.
I would agree if they could get Harm and Mac back this season.
See Catherine Bells Instagram account you will be very happy in full Marine uniform confirming return
It’s a show that is evolving.It has more of a sense of humor than ever too.I suspect Hetty is leaving soon,it’s a new chapter.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine had a vast array of great reocurring characters. Garak, Kai Winn, Kassidy Yates, Gul Dukat, Damar, Weyoun, Female Changeling, Keiko O’Brien, Molly O’Brien, Rom, Nog, Leeta, General Martok, Admiral Ross, Grand Nagus Zek, Ishka, Morn, Brunt, Gowron, Eddington, and Lwaxana Troi.
DS9 had the biggest and best I’ve seen. That show had an amazing cast of characters
Absolutely, +1000.
Garak was The Worst. In the best possible way.
I watched this weekend’s episode. It’s pretty obvious Matt Mittovich did not. If he had, he’d know that Bar Paly wasn’t in it. She was in the episode that aired the week before.
I watched it; simple typo. Now fixed!
It is one of the best parts of this show. They develop fully rounded characters and they don’t always kill them off.
I always enjoy the sourpuss reluctant help and conversations with Sam, Callen, and Sabatino!. Lots of fun watching them!
Original regular character NCIS psychologist Nate Getz, played by Peter Cambor, has returned several times since he left the show. Nate was even central in a criminal group when the team was afraid he may have become too deeply embedded in an undercover operation.
One of the things I like about the show are how the characters are either memorable or have impacts on or regular cast.
Definitely love Arkady I find it ironic how despite being a criminal he’s more or less G’s only friend outside of the team. Anna mostly becuse G has genuine feelings for her and in the past all his previous girlfriends have broken his heart at one point Joelle lied to him, his ‘wife’ in the CIA hung him out to dry, and there was that one lady who G fell in love with while undercover but realizing who he was wanted nothing to do with him, despite their rocky disagreements Anna is the only lady I can see G in a long term relationship with. Turk is also another one I like he reminds me of a more violent version of Deeks from the early seasons. There was also that DEA agent Talia who Deeks got friendly with in season 5 when Kensi was over seas I was worried they would be catty with one another after Kensi came home but surprisingly she became Kensi’s bestie.
Joe Spano as Tobias Fornell on the NCIS mothership is not just there for color or POI reasons (can’t argue with you assessment of DiNozzo Sr.)
Fornell has been there since Episode 1, and Spano has made him into a full-blooded character through multiple arcs — including the death of his and Gibbs’ shared ex-wife.
And anyone who watched last season’s finale were treated to a stellar episode where he and his daughter (Juliette Angelo, also terrific) dealt with the climax of all the trauma their family has undergone, as she slipped into drug use.
NCIS:LA’s rogue’s gallery is indeed stellar … but there was no reason to slight Spano, or Fornell
Gotta love the original Kolchek, Arkady. Always happy to see him pop up.
Glad to see other comments mentioning Arkady, my favorite “bench” player who’s been on since season 1. He never disappoints! And he’s coming back for 2 episodes later this season!!
And now they’ve added Vinnie Jones to the list
Oh bloody hell – I hope not. That episode was terrible. Him and Steven Valentine never need to be on the show again.
Love me some Mama Deeks! Pam is fantastic. 💙
I also like it when DeChamps shows up, but that’s because I liked Marsha when she played pit boss Nessa on Las Vegas so many years ago.
My personal favorite is Arkady (Vyto Ruginis). Every time he shows up I start smiling. He steals every scene. Have missed him lately. Hope there are more episodes with him coming up.
ALL OF THEM!!!! But if I had to pick a Top 3 it will be……
Anna
Arkady…….Most definitely!😂
Sabatino
If we could have Shane McMahon’s character never appear again I’ll be happy.
Favourites are/were Harley, Fatima and Arkady.
Can’t believe you left Arkady out of the original article. He’s been on the show since season 1 and never fails to entertain, even when he’s being shady and putting people in danger. Love DeChamps (even if the writers don’t put her w/Sam like they should), Kirkin (who will always carry a torch for Marty), Anna and Nate (who should come back more often). There are so many good characters to choose from!
The EP mentioned him.
Arkady – I was disappointed he didn’t show up in the Anna episode. Though it seem like the opportunity will be there with her hanging around.
Arkady. Also and forever!
I like all the regulars and the others that come sometimes
I love Turk. I wish they’d make him a series regular. He’d make a perfect addition to the team.
GOLDBERG…GOLDBERG…GOLDBERG!!!!
I love Arkady, Kierken (sp?), Anna, and Nicole. I also enjoy AJ and the other OGs.
Give Harm a new show! Bring back David James Elliott! He was JAG!