NCIS Drops Bombshell: Friends Star Almost Cast in Top-Secret Role

Summary

Jennifer Aniston was considered for a significant role on NCIS early on, but it's unclear which character it was.

Robyn Lively was favored by the producing and network team for the role, but Sasha Alexander was ultimately chosen. It is rumored that Jennifer Aniston was potentially available during that time and her name was brought up for discussion, although it remains uncertain if she was ever officially approached.

One actor from the TV show Friends was being considered for a major role on the popular crime procedural NCIS. In the world of television, a role on a long-running and well-liked crime procedural is often seen as a highly desirable job, with the show's stability often becoming a source of jokes and storylines in pop culture. Typically, procedurals like NCIS tend to avoid casting big-name actors in the main cast, preferring to make stars out of lesser-known actors.

However, it was recently revealed that Harrison Ford was considered for a role on NCIS, and now the show's producing and network team has disclosed to The Hollywood Reporter that Jennifer Aniston was also considered for a significant role in the early days of the show. Unfortunately, the specific role that Aniston was being considered for is not mentioned. Based on the given context, it is possible that it was a character similar to Caitlin Todd (played by Sasha Alexander), but this is not confirmed. The following quotes provide more details:

Bellisario: The character he portrayed in previous roles made it suitable for this.

Johnson: Sasha Alexander was not present in the two-episode pilot. The actress who played the role was Robyn Lively, who happens to be Blake Lively's older half-sister. Although they liked her, they felt she didn't quite fit the role. When the series was picked up, CBS decided to replace her. We then began looking for a new character, and Sasha came in at the last moment. I had a great fondness for Robyn Lively, but these things sometimes occur.

Glenn Geller, the former president of CBS Entertainment, praised Don Bellisario's skill in creating distinctive characters. While they may be somewhat archetypal, Bellisario always adds a unique attribute that sets them apart.

Johnson suggested that Jennifer Aniston was a potential option at the time, as her name was mentioned.

Bluestein: I don’t remember ever offering it to Jennifer Aniston. Jennifer Aniston could very well have been a name that we discussed.

Why Aniston Would Have Been A Fun Casting Choice

Having debuted in 2003, NCIS premiered before the conclusion of Friends in 2004. During this period, Aniston ranked among the highest-paid actors in television. It is conceivable that she may have been disinclined to commit to another TV project, instead focusing on her film career. Furthermore, even if Aniston had been willing to consider NCIS, her salary demands may have been too exorbitant for CBS to accommodate.

However, it is evident why choosing Aniston for the role would have been appealing. Having her character killed off in the first few seasons, similar to how Caitlin Todd met her demise, would have created a significant and memorable shock in television history. This strategy could have been a clever way to handle the use of well-known actors for the show, and it would have capitalized on Aniston's involvement, albeit for a short period of time.

Nevertheless, since the executive producers did not specify the role Aniston was being considered for, this remains purely speculative. During the development and casting process, it is common for shows to mention prominent names in order to generate interest and secure funding. However, in an alternate universe, featuring major celebrities like Ford and Aniston could have potentially hindered the success of NCIS.

Source: THR