Wilmer Valderrama Reveals He Was Up for Key NCIS: LA Role Before Joining NCIS

The actor discusses how he could have joined the NCIS franchise years earlier.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 12:25am

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While Wilmer Valderrama is best known for playing Special Agent Nick Torres on NCIS, he revealed that he was up for a key role on the NCIS: Los Angeles spinoff a few years before joining the mothership series. Valderrama shared details about his meeting with the NCIS: LA showrunners and why the timing didn't work out for him to take on the role of Marty Deeks, which ultimately went to Eric Christian Olsen.

Why it matters

This insight provides an interesting 'what if' scenario for NCIS fans, imagining how the NCIS: LA cast and storylines could have been different if Valderrama had joined the franchise earlier. It also highlights how the timing and circumstances of an actor's career can impact the roles they end up taking.

The details

Valderrama revealed that a few years before joining NCIS, he met with the NCIS: LA showrunners about playing the role of Marty Deeks, which eventually went to Eric Christian Olsen. Valderrama said the meeting went well and the showrunners had a 'great creative direction' for the character, but the timing wasn't right for him to take on the role. A year later, Valderrama decided he wanted to join the 'mothership' NCIS series instead of the spinoff.

  • A few years before joining NCIS, Valderrama met with NCIS: LA showrunners.
  • Eric Christian Olsen first recurred as Marty Deeks in NCIS: LA Season 1 in April 2010, before being promoted to series regular in Season 2.
  • Valderrama first appeared as Nick Torres in the NCIS Season 14 premiere in September 2016.

The players

Wilmer Valderrama

An actor best known for playing Special Agent Nick Torres on NCIS, who revealed he was up for a key role on the NCIS: LA spinoff a few years before joining the mothership series.

Eric Christian Olsen

The actor who ultimately landed the role of Marty Deeks on NCIS: LA, which Valderrama was considered for.

NCIS: LA showrunners

The creative team behind the NCIS spinoff series who met with Valderrama about the Marty Deeks role.

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What they’re saying

“Maybe two or three years before that, I had an opportunity and I met with showrunners of NCIS: Los Angeles. I wasn't ready, and that show configuration, I think Chris O'Donnell and LL Cool J were doing such a great job. They were looking for somebody opposite Dani [Ruah].”

— Wilmer Valderrama, Actor

“Brian Dietzen then clarified that Wilmer Valderrama was referring to the role of Marty Deeks, who Eric Christian Olsen was ultimately cast to play.”

— Brian Dietzen, Actor

“And I had a meeting there. It was a beautiful meeting, really great. They had a really great creative [direction] for the character. There were some other things that I really wanted to see through. And so the timing was off for me to consider that. And then a year later, I said to myself, 'If I'm ever going to do an NCIS, I just got to do the mothership.'… But that was my first reaction. So initially I was like, I feel like I'd rather go to a place where either they need me or I want to start something fresh and new.”

— Wilmer Valderrama, Actor

What’s next

Valderrama will continue his role as Special Agent Nick Torres on NCIS, which is currently in its 23rd season and will premiere its 24th season in the fall.

The takeaway

Wilmer Valderrama's near-miss with the NCIS: LA spinoff highlights how an actor's career path can take unexpected turns, and how the timing of opportunities can impact the roles they ultimately end up taking. His decision to join the main NCIS series instead has proven to be a successful move, allowing him to make a lasting impact on the long-running franchise.