Most procedural shows have a regular cast of crime fighters who solve cases and catch bad guys. Similarly, NCIS: LA has a solid team of agents, analysts and supervisors who protect Los Angeles and the world from terrorists, drug dealers and foreign espionage operatives. However, they are supported by an interesting group of allies and people who can only be described as frenemies.
From other agents to family members to superior officers there are some people we’re always happy to see join the team. With the series now in its eleventh season, these are 10 minor characters on NCIS: LA that we’re excited to see show up in the future.
Lance Hamilton
In Season 10, WWE star Bill Goldberg made his first appearance as DOJ agent Lance Hamilton. While working with Sam, he hinted at the mysterious past that keeps him from settling in one place for too long.
He instantly fit in with the rest of the team and has since shown up a few more times when interagency cooperation is needed. His interactions with Kensi and Deeks are fun, but he doesn’t add much to the story when he’s around
Admiral Kilbride
Hollace Kilbride is a retired admiral and old friend of Hetty’s who temporarily leads the team after they return from an off the books mission in Mexico. He later needs the team to help him rescue a kidnapped naval intelligence officer.
He’s an old school operative who has no time for the team’s fancy technology or new techniques. Gerald McRaney plays his patented grumpy old man character, so there’s never any question about what viewers can expect when Kilbride shows up.
Leon Vance
Leon Vance became director of NCIS in Season 5 of the original NCIS and was featured prominently in NCIS: LA’s early years. Once the team established itself, his oversight wasn’t as crucial, but he still appears from time to time to check on things.
Rocky Carroll portrays Vance as someone with a commanding presence, who his agents respect and trust. The NCIS shows don’t crossover the way the Arrowverse or One Chicago do, so it’s nice to be reminded of their connection through Vance.
Sarah Mackenzie
With the mainline NCIS now in its seventeenth season and having spawned two successful spinoffs, it’s easy to forget that it originated as a spinoff of JAG. NCIS: LA honored that connection with guest stars Catherine Bell and David James Elliott reprising their roles from JAG during the Season 10 finale/Season 11 premiere two-parter.
It was recently announced that Bell would return as Sarah Mackenzie in a Season 11 episode, where she needs the team’s help with an investigation. Bell as Mac is one of TV’s best strong female characters, and we hope she makes more frequent appearances, maybe even becoming a regular cast member.
Vostanik Sabatino
Sabatino is the team’s CIA contact and sometimes ally. In the NCIS world, you never really know whose side The Agency is on. From Season 4 onwards, he has been both a trusted friend and fierce enemy. His recent dealings suggest everyone has made amends for the time being.
Erik Palladino is always hilarious as he wonders why Sam and Callen never choose the easy solution during missions. He just wants to make it out alive and they want to save everyone while also taking down the bad guys. The clash in styles means that a Sabatino team up is endlessly entertaining.
Arkady Kolcheck
The early seasons of NCIS: LA were dominated by the mystery surrounding Callen’s past. The one solid lead he had was his old friend Arkady Kolcheck: A former KGB operative. He and Callen worked together on a CIA task force, staying in touch through the years.
Over time, Arkady became close with the rest of the team, often giving them intel when it suited his purposes. He’s an over the top character that fans can always count on for a good time. If the case involves Arkady, it’s going to be fun.
Admiral Chegwidden
We first met Admiral A.J. Chegwidden on JAG as the Judge Advocate General commanding the lawyers the series focused on. He was a buttoned up, by the book man, who trusted his people implicitly.
In Season 8, NCIS: LA reintroduced him as a former colleague of Hetty and Granger, who worked with the pair during the Vietnam War. This version of Chegwidden is a lot more fun-loving and rule breaking. We always love a JAG callback, but we also like when something old is made new.
Roberta Deeks
As much as we love Deeks, we knew the woman who raised him wouldn’t be like most moms. Turns out we were right. Roberta Deeks is one of TV”s most unique and memorable mothers. She loves Deeks more than anything, but at the same time, she has no patience for his shenanigans.
Deeks’ father was abusive, and he was forced to shoot him to defend himself and his mom when he was just eleven. Roberta carries a lot of guilt about that, but Deeks knows it just made them closer and stronger. They have a bond that makes each character easier to invest in and care about.
Jennifer Kim
Jennifer Kim was introduced as a North Korean spy who came to town to assassinate one of her cohorts. She was captured by the team, where it was revealed that she was actually Granger’s long lost daughter. She decided she wanted to give up the life and made a deal with the government.
She now lives in a heavily guarded secret safe house, but she is occasionally released to help the team when her expertise is needed. Considering how she met everyone, there’s an interesting air of “to trust or not to trust” among the team that makes all her appearances fascinating.
Nicole Dechamps
A former Secret Service agent, Dechamps decided to join NCIS after working with Sam on a case. They were partnered while Callen recovered from injury, developing a strong friendship that sometimes hints at more.
We’d love to see the writers explore their connection, or add her as another member of the team to mix things up. As much as we like our core four, we love to see how other agents interact with the crazy family vibe they have. Dechamps is someone we desperately want to see more of and know more about
