Most TV series can only dream of surviving for 11 seasons, but to enter season 12 as the world’s most popular TV drama is unheard of — unless the series happens to be NCIS.
That’s exactly what happened when the megahit procedural crime drama was named the most-watched drama series in the world by Eurodata TV Worldwide at the 54th annual Monte-Carlo Television Festival in June, and last week the cast and crew celebrated this amazing achievement.
ET Canada was there and spoke with stars Mark Harmon, Pauley Perrette, Michael Weatherly and Sean Murray, who discussed the show’s enduring popularity.
“I know we are in 200 countries, in 20 different languages around the world,”; says Pauley, who plays quirky forensic scientist Abby Sciuto, “and I know with all the fans it’s huge.”;
For a series that began as a spinoff of a show about military lawyers, JAG, star Mark Harmon says he’s grateful that fans continue to connect with the show. “[Considering] where this show came from and how hard this group has worked collectively, it’s very nice to be recognized,”; he says.
It’s a sentiment shared by Sean Murray, who plays NCIS Special Agent Tim McGee. “The fact that [fans] are with us is amazing,”; he says, “and we are grateful for it.”;
As the cast and crew gear up for season 12, Michael Weatherly reveals that one upcoming storyline this season will see his character, Tony DiNozzo, visit the Big Easy to work on a case with Scott Bakula and the crew of spinoff NCIS: New Orleans, which debuts this fall. “That Scott Bakula is a young guy who’s got a lot of promise,”; jokes Michael about the former Quantum Leap and Star Trek: Enterprise star. “A young buck, a little green. Sure, he’s been captain of the Enterprise, quantum leaping around, but this is crime scene investigation stuff.”;
You can see more of our visit to the set of NCIS in tonight’s ET Canada, airing at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT on Global.
NCIS begins its 12th season on Tuesday, Sept. 23 on Global.
