Lauren Holly’s stint as Director Jenny Shepard on CBS’s military crime drama, NCIS, was originally intended to last only six episodes, but Holly ended up staying on the show for three seasons, and Director Shepard became one of the show’s most beloved characters. Holly, known for her roles in Picket Fences and Dumb and Dumber, joined NCIS’s team of investigators in 2005 at the start of the series’ third season. Initially introduced as a former flame of series lead, Agent Gibbs, played by Mark Harmon, her driven and ambitious character invigorated the series with a new energy that created an exciting dynamic between herself, Gibbs, and other characters.
A rarity in police procedurals, Holly plays the boss of the male-dominated agency, NCIS, a refreshing and inspiring figure to women who hope to break into other male-dominated fields and be respected as leaders. While demanding respect from fellow agents, she is also able to retain her empathy and a certain tenderness, achieving that elusive balance of strength and kindness. Holly’s short time on NCIS, between 2005 and 2007, included some of the series’ best episodes and most memorable story lines. When she decided to bow out of the series in 2005, her exit was far less dramatic than the final moments her character faced.
Shepard is One of the Most Impressive NCIS Directors
Shepard’s Adaptability and Confidence Made Her a Formidable Leader
During initial casting for NCIS, Lauren Holly originally went out for the part of Kate Todd, which would end up going to Sasha Alexander. She was invited back for season 3 to play Shepard, who would take over as Director of NCIS after Director Morrow, played by Alan Dale, stepped down to accept a position with Homeland Security. Miyakzaki fans might recognize Holly as the voice of Chihiro’s mother in Spirited Away, but NCIS fans would come to know her for an authoritative voice that allowed her to command a room of naval officers and special agents.
Director Shepard is memorable for the way she is able to enjoy both femininity and masculinity, comfortably wearing a cocktail dress or a pantsuit. Shepard’s acerbic wit and social graces allow her to easily move from prim and proper conferences to the dirty work of investigating, unlike Gibbs and other agents who are more at home on a stakeout. Holly’s performance is impressive in the way she is able to maintain a facade of cold, calm while allowing glimmers of sympathy and fear to briefly emerge. The deep gaze she is able to achieve with her big blue eyes aids in her performance of quickly-evolving emotions.
Shepard and Benoit Played a Thrilling Game of Cat and Mouse
Shepard’s Storyline Introduced One of NCIS’s Most Iconic Villains
When Lauren Holly’s character, Director Shepard, was introduced to NCIS, she brought with her one of the series’ best villains, arms dealer René Benoit. Played by Armand Assante, known for playing Odysseus in HBO’s adaptation of The Odyssey, Benoit is magnetic and charismatic. His character is suave, and seems to be part shadow in the way he’ll suddenly appear from the dark corners of a room. Director Shepard made it her life’s mission to put Benoit behind bars, believing he murdered her father, Colonel Jasper Shepard. While assigned to the Pentagon, Colonel Shepard was accused of taking a bribe and died in what was believed to be a suicide. Believing Benoit framed her father and murdered him, Shepard joined NCIS in 1999, her determination to take down Benoit helping her rise through the ranks until she became director.
In addition to the thrill of a Sherlock-Moriarty-style rivalry, Shepard’s quest to avenge her father portrays the consequences of putting parental figures on pedestals and shows how revenge can cloud judgement. Gibbs’ sense of loyalty to his friends and partners is also put to the test when he realizes Shepard murdered Benoit in season five, creating an interesting inner conflict for the character when his normally steadfast devotion is shaken by Shepard’s immoral actions.
The Director’s Relationship With Gibbs is One of the Best NCIS Romances
Their “Will They, Won’t They” Love Story Built a Thrilling Tension
Director Sheppard and Agent Gibbs are one of the most popular ships in the NCIS fandom, lovingly referred to as “Jibbs.” It’s clear from the moment Shepard appears backlit by SMPTE color bars that she and Gibbs have history. Shepard and Gibbs originally met when they were rookie agents working undercover in Europe, where they carried out a passionate romance. Their love affair came to an end when Gibbs was reassigned to the US, and Shepard chose to stay in Europe. Having previously worked together on Chicago Hope, Holly and Harmon have great chemistry that electrifies every scene they share. Director Shepard and Agent Gibbs are often at odds with each other. Their bickering and constant attempts to one up each other not only provide enjoyable comedic moments, but also serve as an interesting study of different styles of leadership, Shepard being more by the book and Gibbs the maverick. While Gibbs is always focused on doing whatever it takes to solve the case, Shepard considers what is best for the agency in the long term. Shepard’s more posh and polished personality is also a good foil to Gibb’s gruffness. Despite their disagreements, Gibbs treats Shepard as a respected equal, unlike the many misogynistic men Shepard deals with.
Shepard Was More Than A Boss to the NCIS Agents
Providing Guidance and Support in Times of Need, Shepard Earned the Admiration of Her Colleagues
Director Shepard’s empathy and dedication endears her not only to Gibbs, but to the entire team of investigators at NCIS. Prior to taking over as director, Shepard and Mossad officer Ziva David met in Cairo, Egypt, where Ziva saved Shepard’s life. The two women remain close and supportive of each other as NCIS colleagues, and Ziva often watches with sympathy as Shepard and Gibbs’ love goes unrequited. Shepard also becomes close to Agent Tony DiNozzo while he goes undercover to help her take down Benoit. An important mentor figure to other women at NCIS, one of the most impactful moments during her time on the show is when she counsels the perky and whimsy Abby Sciuto, telling her to “look at reality and accept it.” Shepard shows a heavy sense of responsibility for other characters’ well-being, not taking lightly the power she holds.
Acting like a bickering old married couple, Shepard and Gibbs’ are the mom and dad of the NCIS office. The team is often hilariously flustered when they’re torn between pleasing Shepard or Gibbs, an exciting change from their usual deference to Gibbs. Despite questioning Gibbs’ methods, Shepard supports his team and defends their actions to the higher ups.
Holly Felt It Was Time To Go
After Three Seasons, Holly Was Looking for Something New
Lauren Holly auditioned for NCIS because she was excited to work with Don Bellisario, who originally created the military police procedural as a spin-off of JAG. By season four, Bellisario’s work style began to put him at odds with members of the cast and crew, including series-lead, Mark Harmon. Bellisario also felt ready to move on to other projects after four years with the show. As preparations were being made for season five, the NCIS co-creator stepped down as showrunner. Holly felt the creative direction of the show had changed after Bellisario’s exit, and missed his influence on the series.
Similar to Bellisario, Holly was also beginning to lose interest in the show and her character, Director Shepard. Before joining the cast of NCIS, Holly took a break from acting. After starring as Shepard for a few years, she felt warmed up and ready for new creative challenges, stating “now that the work bug had bitten me again, I got bored with my part of the ‘Director’.” Gibbs and Shepard’s unrequited love story was being dragged out, and didn’t seem to be going anywhere. Shepard’s story line had also become consumed by her quest to defeat Benoit, preventing any other stories from developing for the character. Holly was also exhausted from commuting between Chicago and Los Angeles to film the series. After three seasons, Holly was happy to say goodbye to Shepard and NCIS, and her character was written off the show in one of the series’ most unforgettable deaths.
The Director Goes Out, Guns Blazing
Shepard’s Death is One of the Most Epic In NCIS’s History
In the penultimate episode of season five, Director Shepard’s time at NCIS comes to an end. Working alongside Agent Gibbs’ mentor, former Agent Mike Franks, played by Muse Watson, Director Shepard follows up on the suspicious death of former partner, William Decker, whom she suspects was murdered. Hoping to protect Gibbs from the wrath of their former enemy, Svetlana Chernitskaya, Shepard and Franks track Svetlana’s crew down to a diner, and Shepard is fatally wounded in a shoot-out. Shepard doesn’t go down without a fight. Shepard takes out four men while being riddled with bullets, before she is taken out. Holly likes to joke that the writers killed Shepard in “about five different ways.” In addition to four gunshot wounds, Shepard is diagnosed with a brain tumor earlier in the season.
In a heartbreaking scene, new NCIS Director, Leon Vance, is describing Shepard’s final moments, while Gibbs sees only some blood spatters and a card with Shepard’s name. Harmon plays it cool, anger bubbling just beneath his calm surface. Gibbs’ willingness to break the rules is tested as he and Franks resolve to cover up the truth of Shepard’s death. The Director’s death also drives home the stakes at hand as Gibbs and his team track down dangerous criminals.
Holly Stays Busy After NCIS Exit
Lauren Holly Has Found a Plethora of Projects to Satisfy Her Creativity
Holly was able to work with her Picket Fences co-star, Tom Skerritt, in the 2014 film Field of Lost Shoes. Since leaving NCIS, she has appeared in numerous police procedurals and crime dramas, like Leverage, Covert Affairs, Rookie Blue, Motive, and Designated Survivor. Holly is also no stranger to fantasy and supernatural projects, having appeared in both Lucifer, Good Witch, and Oz Perkins’ horror film The Blackcoat’s Daughter. Holly most recently starred as Monique DuBois in the canceled Netflix series Tiny Pretty Things.
In honor of her late brother, Holly and her family created the “A” Fund at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in 1992. Holly’s brother, Alexander, nicknamed “A,” loved archeology and architecture, but passed away at the young age of 14 before he was able to achieve his dream of becoming an architect. The “A” Fund provides financial aid to archeology and architecture students at Hobart and William Smith Colleges who have demonstrated a similar passion for architecture and history. Through the “A” Fund, Alexander’s memory can live on.