Due to continuous strikes in the industry that are delaying production, “NCIS” will not be having its fall premiere for the first time in forever. Sean Murray and Wilmer Valderrama spoke with ET about the show’s popularity 20 years after its unannounced sabbatical. “It’s amazing,” said Murray, who portrays Senior Field Agent Tim McGee. We have the amazing support of our fans, who have pretty much been there from the beginning and are still with us now. “We’re gonna keep plugging away as long as they let us,” he also promised the crowd. This is true even if there have been reports of a backstage fight between him and Valderrama.
Valderrama, who plays Special Agent Nick Torres, was also excited — especially as his character played such a huge role in the Season 20 finale. “We do a major cliffhanger and it’s not just the case that has to close, it’s actually a new chapter — a dark one — that may open up for Torres, as well as how it affects all of us as a team and as a family,” he told ET. Murray confirmed, “We always like to end on usually something that’s going to leave little tastes and we’ll see where we come back to.” However, Radar reports that tensions are high between the co-stars and that “they may be playing buddy-buddy in the show promos, but they have to do that.”
Wilmer Valderrama and Sean Murray in a popularity contest
When Mark Harmon exited NCIS in 2022, Wilmer Valderrama and Sean Murray were reportedly jostling for the top spot that Harmon’s departure had created. In March, Radar reported that Murray — who has been around since the show’s inaugural season — and Valderrama were both vying to be the new star of the long-running police procedural. “Wilmer considers himself the primary star, but Sean has a bone to pick with that,” a source told the outlet. “Sean likes to rub it in Wilmer’s face that he’s got higher billing in the credits. Wilmer’s working to change that. … They may claim to be buds in public, but they tend to annoy each other behind the scenes.” For years, Harmon’s name was the first to appear in the opening credits. Now, Murray is the first cast member to feature in the montage.
It seems that Valderrama also claimed credit for “NCIS” getting renewed, believing that this was largely due to his popularity. “They’re still as competitive as they ever were— maybe more so now that Wilmer’s got it in his head that fans love him more!” an insider told Radar in June. “He’s throwing his weight around even more—and demanding perks for next season,” they continued. It was reportedly observed that Murray enjoys a good following among the supporters. The rumors might also require a good dousing, but where there’s smoke, there might be a blazing fire.
Sean Murray and Wilmer Valderrama are friendly on social media
Wilmer Valderrama joined the cast of NCIS during the show’s 14th season in 2016. And since his debut, he has praised the cast and crew of the CBS staple. According to Showbiz Cheatsheet, he previously said, “For me, to be able to have great friends, and a brotherhood, and a family, and a sisterhood; it’s very rare in the industry. … And the moment they say, ‘That’s a wrap,’ you don’t know if you’re going to see that person again.” He then went on to describe his relationship with his NCIS castmates, saying, “The first thing that comes to mind is knowing that I’m going to know these people for the rest of my life.” Valderrama often shares pics and videos of himself, Murray, and the crew joking around. In one particular Instagram snap, he shared, “These great people, they bring me so much joy on set.” Murray was one of the four people Valderrama valued.
Regarding Murray, he contacted Valderrama at a critical juncture in his professional life. In a sweet and sentimental moment in 2022, Murray congratulated his “NCIS” co-star on Disney’s “Encanto”‘s Oscar nomination. “Very proud of you for this one, especially, as always, well done, my brother,” he tweeted. Our favorite crime-busting shower is getting more dramatic thanks to Murray and Valderrama, whether or whether they are at odds behind closed doors. To be honest, it’s all that matters to us.