NCIShas grown into a major successful franchise with several spinoffs and new series on the way, but it had humble beginnings.NCISactually began through a backdoor pilot onJAGin season 8. What started as a hope for a new spinoff eventually developed intoNCIS,which became grounds for several other offshoots as well. In fact,NCIShas grown so popular that it is almost surprising to remember that it started off as a small idea in comparison toJAG’s acclaim. Many MCRT members, including Gibbs, even started out onJAGbefore finding success inNCIS.
WhenNCISwas first introduced inJAGin April 2003, it was only a few months beforeNCIS' pilot episodeaired for the first time in the following fall. Since then, the show has grown extensively, even overshadowing its predecessor with its success. The status of theNCISfranchisecan make it hard to remember that the show is not a standalone series, butthere are severalJAGcameos throughout the police procedural’s many seasons that serve as fantastic reminders.
3A.J. Chegwidden
Appeared In Season 10, Episode 24
John M. Jackson’s A.J. Chegwidden is such an iconic character onJAGthat it is unfortunate that he only ever appeared once in NCIS. However, his limited rolealso means that the one time he did appear was highlighted even more since it was such a rare appearance. ThroughoutJAG’s seasons, Chegwidden was the Judge Advocate General of the Navy. His role on the show made the perfect excuse for him to appear inNCISyears later as a favor to Gibbs.
Chegwidden was a vital component of theNCISseason 10 finale, “Damned If You Do.” While he was now retired from his formal post, he took the role of Gibbs' legal counsel after he was accused of corruption by the Department of Homeland Security. As Chegwidden also played a major role in theNCISbackdoor pilot onJAG, it was nice to see him, Gibbs, and other MCRT members reunite, even though it was not under the best circumstances.
2Bud Roberts Jr.
Season 1, Episode 2; Season 14, Episode 1; Season 15, Episode 12
Patrick Labyorteaux’s Bud Roberts Jr. appeared much more onNCIScompared toChegwidden, being featured in a total of three episodes between seasons 1 and 15. Despite the fact that a lot of time had passed between the time Roberts appeared onJAGandNCIS, he continued to maintain the same career. In each instance he appeared onNCIS, he was still aJAGlawyer and a high-ranking naval officer, which showed consistency in his character between the two shows.
Roberts is a Lieutenant Commander inJAG, but inNCIShe gets promoted to Navy Captain.
Roberts was a great friend and ally to Gibbs' MCRT, which is why it was so nice to see him appear multiple times over the course of the show. His mannerisms onJAGalso greatly resemble McGee’s mannerisms inNCIS.Both shows were created by the same person, Donald Bellisario, so it makes sense that there would be some similar characters. Even so, it was fascinating to see Roberts and McGee interact onNCISeven in minor ways.
Roberts is also the onlyJAGcharacter to appear solely inNCIS. Many others, like Chegwidden and Sarah Mackenzie, appeared onNCISspinoffs, includingNCIS: Los Angeles, which particularly received a lot ofJAGcameos as well. However, it makes sense that Roberts' appearances were limited toNCISsince he had a great rapport with Gibbs and the team. He was more of a personal friend than a professional ally and his appearances represented that relationship.
1Faith Coleman
Season 1, Episode 18; Season 2, Episodes 7, 21
Alicia Coppola’s Faith Coleman is another one of the more commonJAGcharacters that appeared onNCIS. InJAG, Coleman was a prosecutor and highly decorated naval officer. She only appeared inJAGduring season 8 after being introduced in “Meltdown,” but she was subsequently featured for three episodes onNCISthroughout seasons 1 and 2. Coleman’s appearances onNCISwere likely limited to its earlier seasons because of the proximity toNCIS' backdoor pilot inJAG.
Coleman’s appearances onNCISwere likely limited to its earlier seasons because of the proximity toNCIS' backdoor pilot inJAG.
In all three instances of her time onNCIS, Coleman used her background as a JAG officer to help the MCRT solve their cases. The first episode she appeared in even referred to an oldJAGcase of hers. Given her connection toNCIS' early beginnings, it is surprising that she never showed up inNCIS' later seasons. In any case, her appearances acted as a call back toNCIS' backdoor pilot, which is always a fun episode to remember.
