NCIS has grown into a major successful franchise with several spinoffs and new series on the way, but it had humble beginnings. NCIS actually began through a backdoor pilot on JAG in season 8. What started as a hope for a new spinoff eventually developed into NCIS, which became grounds for several other offshoots as well. In fact, NCIS has grown so popular that it is almost surprising to remember that it started off as a small idea in comparison to JAG’s acclaim. Many MCRT members, including Gibbs, even started out on JAG before finding success in NCIS.
When NCIS was first introduced in JAG in April 2003, it was only a few months before NCIS’ pilot episode aired 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 the NCIS franchise can make it hard to remember that the show is not a standalone series, but there are several JAG cameos throughout the police procedural’s many seasons that serve as fantastic reminders.
A.J. Chegwidden
Appeared In Season 10, Episode 24
John M. Jackson’s A.J. Chegwidden is such an iconic character on JAG that it is unfortunate that he only ever appeared once in NCIS. However, his limited role also means that the one time he did appear was highlighted even more since it was such a rare appearance. Throughout JAG’s seasons, Chegwidden was the Judge Advocate General of the Navy. His role on the show made the perfect excuse for him to appear in NCIS years later as a favor to Gibbs.
Chegwidden was a vital component of the NCIS season 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 the NCIS backdoor pilot on JAG, it was nice to see him, Gibbs, and other MCRT members reunite, even though it was not under the best circumstances.
Bud Roberts Jr.
Season 1, Episode 2; Season 14, Episode 1; Season 15, Episode 12
Patrick Labyorteaux’s Bud Roberts Jr. appeared much more on NCIS compared to Chegwidden, 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 on JAG and NCIS, he continued to maintain the same career. In each instance he appeared on NCIS, he was still a JAG lawyer and a high-ranking naval officer, which showed consistency in his character between the two shows.
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 on JAG also greatly resemble McGee’s mannerisms in NCIS. 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 on NCIS even in minor ways.
Roberts is also the only JAG character to appear solely in NCIS. Many others, like Chegwidden and Sarah Mackenzie, appeared on NCIS spinoffs, including NCIS: Los Angeles, which particularly received a lot of JAG cameos as well. However, it makes sense that Roberts’ appearances were limited to NCIS since 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.
Faith Coleman
Season 1, Episode 18; Season 2, Episodes 7, 21
Alicia Coppola’s Faith Coleman is another one of the more common JAG characters that appeared on NCIS. In JAG, Coleman was a prosecutor and highly decorated naval officer. She only appeared in JAG during season 8 after being introduced in “Meltdown,” but she was subsequently featured for three episodes on NCIS throughout seasons 1 and 2. Coleman’s appearances on NCIS were likely limited to its earlier seasons because of the proximity to NCIS’ backdoor pilot in JAG.
Coleman’s appearances on NCIS were likely limited to its earlier seasons because of the proximity to NCIS’ backdoor pilot in JAG.
In all three instances of her time on NCIS, 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 old JAG case of hers. Given her connection to NCIS’ early beginnings, it is surprising that she never showed up in NCIS’ later seasons. In any case, her appearances acted as a call back to NCIS’ backdoor pilot, which is always a fun episode to remember.