The set of a TV Guide Magazine cover shoot became as lively as a night out in New Orleans when the cast of NCIS: New Orleans arrived straight from filming. Instead of the usual soundstage seriousness, the atmosphere was more akin to a celebration at Tipitina’s or the Spotted Cat, renowned New Orleans nightspots. As the five principal actors gathered for the photoshoot, playful antics ensued. Lucas Black playfully tickled Zoe McLellan, who in turn borrowed Rob Kerkovich’s glasses, striking a pose reminiscent of a sexy librarian. Amidst the lighthearted chaos, Scott Bakula, with mock seriousness, predicted, “We’ll hate these shots, I guarantee you,” just moments after CCH Pounder playfully patted his chest from behind.
Alt text: Lively NCIS: New Orleans cast, including Scott Bakula, Zoe McLellan, and Lucas Black, bring their on-screen chemistry to a TV Guide Magazine cover shoot, showcasing the fun-loving spirit of the show featured in NOLA TV guides.
Pounder, momentarily adopting a serious tone as she removed her hands, quipped, “Are we confused as to the nature of this procedural?”
Kerkovich, usually the comedic relief on the show, chimed in with mock solemnity amidst the playful atmosphere: “This is full-on thank God it’s Friday. So many people have died so far.”
Indeed, the show NCIS: New Orleans has become a hit procedural drama by reliably delivering weekly cases, often involving a death per episode, sometimes escalating to multiple fatalities when plots involve scenarios like a bomber. As CBS’s top freshman show that season, NCIS: New Orleans adhered to the beloved procedural formula. However, the show’s premise might lead one to jest about the dangers of naval service in Louisiana. Statistically, based on the show’s narrative, one might think that Louisiana presents a higher mortality risk for servicemen and women than any other port state.
Yet, this perceived danger is likely overshadowed by the allure of New Orleans itself. The show subtly promotes the city’s irresistible celebratory culture, suggesting that the risk of fictionalized dangers—bubonic plague, vampire-style murders, radiation poisoning, or Mardi Gras shootings—is a worthwhile trade-off for experiencing the city’s vibrant spirit. While each main character carries a typical NCIS-franchise hint of a troubled past, a typical episode leans more towards camaraderie, often concluding with the team sharing gumbo in their quirky, House of Blues-esque office kitchen rather than ending on a somber note. The office set, far from a standard squad room, resembles a funky, music-infused space, complete with most-wanted lineups displayed on overhead monitors instead of bar specials.
Alt text: Funky NCIS: New Orleans squad room set, designed like the House of Blues, is a key location highlighted in NOLA TV guides, showing where agents solve crimes amidst a vibrant New Orleans backdrop.
The Recipe for Success: Comfort Food Procedural with a New Orleans Flavor
If procedural dramas are considered comfort food for television viewers, NCIS: New Orleans became primetime’s delectable offering, attracting an average of 18 million viewers in its first season (including DVR viewership). Its unique blend of crime-solving with the lively spirit of New Orleans resonated deeply, becoming as appealing as fresh oysters, sugary beignets, or a nightcap Sazerac in the city itself.
Creator and executive producer Gary Glasberg explained the show’s successful formula: “Part of what drew me to setting a show down there is the contrast of people who work hard and have faced all kinds of adversity—whether it’s Katrina or socio-economic problems—but hold on to each other and rise up and celebrate regardless. And the beauty of New Orleans is that there’s literally a parade or festival for everything. So you’re constantly working around that.” This constant state of festivity in New Orleans sometimes spills into the workplace, influencing the show’s tone.
McLellan, who plays Agent Meredith Brody, noted this unique challenge: “But then we have to be reminded, ‘OK, someone’s dead,’ and remember the urgency of the story we’re telling. Especially when the baby was missing [in the April episode “Rock-a-Bye-Baby”]. It’s like, ‘You care about this baby!’ Got to find the Navy baby!” This particular line, “Find the Navy baby!” turned into an ongoing joke between McLellan and Black, a lighthearted moment amidst the dramatic intensity of the show, and a behind-the-scenes glimpse often appreciated by readers of NOLA TV guides seeking more about their favorite shows.
From Tension to Triumph: Building a Hit Show in the Big Easy
The cast acknowledges the initial pressures of launching a coherent show under tight deadlines. Black admitted, “There was a lot of tension at the beginning, but after we got on air, people at the network began to trust us more, and it felt a little more relaxed on set.” This relaxation grew as the season progressed. “There was a point during this season where we felt comfortable to do our own thing a bit more, because it was like, ‘Huh! People like us!’” The audience’s embrace made NCIS: New Orleans the most successful freshman drama since Desperate Housewives a decade prior.
Bakula, a seasoned actor with roles in Quantum Leap, Star Trek: Enterprise, and Men of a Certain Age, reflected on the initial instability of any new show, “you just never feel like you have your legs underneath you.” He detailed the rushed beginnings of the series, starting with a backdoor pilot as a two-part episode on NCIS in spring 2014. “When we actually got the formal invitation that we were being picked up, it was the beginning of May, and then the scramble began to start shooting July 21. This place [the soundstage in a New Orleans suburb] went from an empty soundstage to something we were shooting on in five weeks. The first day of shooting, they’d barely sealed the paint on the walls and hadn’t hung any lights.”
Alt text: Scott Bakula, star of NCIS: New Orleans, pictured on set, highlighting the show’s lead actor often featured prominently in NOLA TV guide listings and articles.
He further emphasized the logistical challenges: “We’re not all in the same place, either, so there are so many reasons why it should have been a disaster.” The writing team, including Glasberg, remained in Los Angeles. Bakula himself commuted weekly to Los Angeles to be with his family and even managed to film episodes for HBO’s Looking in San Francisco, fulfilling prior commitments while leading TV’s newest hit. Despite these potential pitfalls, the show thrived. “And because they picked us up so early, all our directors are lined up for next year, so invariably it’s going to be an easier process.” However, Bakula added, “they keep making the episodes bigger and harder to do”—suggesting the show’s ambition was continually expanding, even if the production process became smoother.
Embracing New Orleans: Authenticity and Accents
As season one neared its finale, Bakula filmed a scene with Steven Weber, who played a recurring role as a potentially corrupt city councilman. Their rapport was evident as they navigated lines, with Bakula joking after a flub, “Together, we almost add up to one actor.”
Their scene revolved around the repercussions of violence caused by the villain Baitfish, Agent Pride’s nemesis throughout the season. This storyline culminated in the May 5th episode, setting the stage for a broader criminal landscape connected to the New Orleans seaport in the May 12th season finale. Weber’s politician and Bakula’s Pride clashed over accountability for public casualties, before Weber’s character hinted at redemption, stating, “No matter what you think of me, I love this city too.” This line suggested a potential shift towards a more sympathetic portrayal of Weber’s character in the upcoming season, underscoring the show’s commitment to portraying a nuanced New Orleans. Much like the medical profession’s oath to “first, do no harm,” NCIS: New Orleans prioritized not offending its host city. By this measure, the show achieved remarkable success, though locals are keen to offer unsolicited critiques on the cast’s accents. For viewers wanting to catch these episodes and more, NOLA TV guides are the go-to source for scheduling information.
Black, the only primary cast member with a genuine Southern accent from Alabama, humorously noted, “Everybody thinks I’m faking it. I’ve worked on this accent for 32 years. I feel like I’ve finally got it down pat. It’s a struggle, what we go through as actors.” He embraced the New Orleans climate, adding, “I love the steaming heat, and I get to laugh at everybody who doesn’t.”
Alt text: Lucas Black as Special Agent Christopher LaSalle in NCIS: New Orleans, the actor’s authentic Southern accent is often discussed in NOLA TV guide articles and cast interviews.
Pounder, playing coroner Loretta Wade, faced a different kind of adjustment, despite gradually relocating to New Orleans. Reflecting on the show’s potential longevity, she said, “I have to have faith that if the first [NCIS] show has been running for 12 years, maybe the second show [NCIS: Los Angeles] will run for eight years, and maybe this show will run for six or seven.” She humorously described her adaptation to the city’s climate: “I’m a Caribbean person, and this is a Caribbean country, stuck in America. Well, not stuck—happily hanging out in America—and therefore it has all the problems that that has: The heat come summertime is hellish, and that’s when we start our [production] season. I’m hoping to drop enough weight so that the water’s not just pouring out of me like it did last year, when I thought, ‘I’m going to die.’”
Kerkovich, originally from the Northeast, drew an unusual comparison after visiting Bourbon Street: “A local reporter asked me, ‘What do you think about New Orleans?’ I said. ‘It’s like Bartertown,’ from Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, which couldn’t be more obscure, because Bartertown isn’t even in the title of the movie. I thought, ‘This interview has tanked.’ I referenced the third Mad Max movie?’” Despite his self-deprecating humor, Kerkovich appreciated the change of scenery. “But it’s cool to not be in the L.A./Hollywood world. Here you can go into a coffee shop and not every single person is working on a screenplay. They’re all on their laptops writing jazz.”
Bakula, who developed a fondness for local New Orleans nightspots despite his weekend L.A. commutes, chuckled at the memory of initially wanting to film in Hollywood. “There’s a huge commitment to trying to do it correctly here,” he acknowledged. “I’ve lived in a lot of great cities in the United States, but this one’s unique in that people are always saying to me, ‘We love what you’re doing here. How are you liking my city?’ There’s this possessiveness about it. You don’t usually hear people say, ‘How are you loving my Santa Monica?’ I love how the people do things outside their homes here, which is kind of counter to the world that’s becoming more like, ‘How can I watch a movie in my house?’” For viewers looking to watch NCIS: New Orleans from their homes, local NOLA TV guides provide comprehensive schedules and channel listings.
This connection with the city extends to fan interactions. McLellan recounted an encounter on Frenchmen Street: “My sister and I went out to hear music, and as I go up to the bar to get a drink, this college girl is standing there and is like [affects thick Louisiana accent], ‘Brody, oh my God, hi! Is Pride with you?’ I said no. She said, ‘Good, because I’d do him right here.’”
Perhaps, given the show’s popularity and the city’s vibrant energy, adding a few more morgue scenes might be a good idea. While NCIS: New Orleans is undoubtedly a hit, it should probably retain a touch of its procedural grit to balance the “Big Easy” atmosphere.
NCIS: New Orleans airs Tuesdays, 9/8c, CBS. Check your local NOLA TV guide for specific listings.
