NCIS boasts 22 seasons and counting, but it was previously off to a rocky start . When the show came out in 2003, it gained a mild fanbase. However, it took a few years to really rise to the mega-level of fandom that the show now holds.
During that time, the actors were finding their bearings and learning to embrace their characters. By season three, which Cote De Pablo claimed on the Off Duty: An NCIS Rewatch podcast was her favorite, the show really gained momentum. Star Michael Weatherly confessed to feeling a connection to the show from the start.
In fact, he reflected on why they were able to keep the show going even before it reached its full potential. He explained to the Seattle Times : "We were able to keep it afloat a couple of years because we weren’t good enough to get all the attention and we weren’t bad enough to get canceled, always believed in its potential." NCIS: Origins Mariel Molino says Lala’s connection with Gibbs deepens 'and it starts to get scary' NCIS fans shocked as they spot Mrs Doubtfire and Disney channel star all grown up in latest episode Since its 2003 launch, the main show continues to run strong and, in fact, the franchise expanded to a variety of spin-offs.
The first time the show branched into something new was with NCIS: LA which ran for 14 seasons, boasting a packed cast, including LL Cool J, Daniela Ruah, and Linda Hunt. Rocky Carroll believed the success of the show, and what allowed it to expand as far as it has, was due largely.