NCIS Spin-off
In 2003, during season 8, the series spawned the spin-off NCIS in a two-part episode in which Rabb is accused of the murder of Lieutenant Singer. The two episodes, titled "Ice Queen" and "Meltdown", focused on the NCIS team, with the JAG regulars as supporting characters. Whereas the JAG episodes were primarily oriented on courtroom drama, NCIS is more focused on the field criminal investigations. NCIS also follows a different storytelling format from JAG, emphasizing character humor more than its parent program. NCIS later produced its own spin-off, NCIS: Los Angeles, which shows a further departure from the styles and themes of JAG. NCIS: Los Angeles would later do a crossover with Hawaii Five-0.
Many actors who played characters from JAG have appeared on NCIS, although Patrick Labyorteaux, reprising his role of Bud Roberts in the episode "Hung Out to Dry", and Scott Lawrence, appearing as Captain Thomas Lind in the episode "A Man Walks Into a Bar...", are the only major JAG cast members to do so. Recurring guest star Alicia Coppola appeared in her JAG role of Lieutenant Commander Faith Coleman in several episodes, and Adam Baldwin appeared on both programs as Commander Michael Rainer. Also, Sean Murray, Special Agent Timothy McGee in NCIS, played two characters – Ensign Guitry, an ensign on trial from Season 4 Episode "Innocence", and "Danny Walden", the son of one of Admiral Chegwidden's many girlfriends. Aside from Murray, Michael Bellisario, who played Mike Roberts on JAG, appeared as Assistant Forensic Technician Charles "Chip" Sterling, and Steven Culp, who played CIA operative Clayton Webb, appeared on NCIS as a Navy commander. Muse Watson ("Mike Franks" in NCIS) plays Admiral Arthur Fessenden in JAG Season 4, Episode 3. Joe Spano ("Tobias Fornell" in NCIS) plays Capt. Jack Murphy in JAG Season 3, Episode 3.
The two episodes "Ice Queen" and "Meltdown" were edited down to a one-hour pilot film, which was then used to sell the idea of NCIS as a new series to CBS; the pilot used the title, "NCIS – The Beginning". It was later also used to introduce the show to CBS affiliates and advertisers. It was only broadcast once and is not available on home video.
An episode of the final season, "JAG: San Diego" had the cast going to the San Diego naval base and working with the JAG office there. Though it was reportedly considered as a back-door pilot to a possible spin-off, CBS ultimately decided not to pursue a new series.
Read more about this topic: JAG (TV series)