NCIS: New Orleansran for seven seasons on CBS and lost a couple of original cast members along the way, includingZoe McLellan as Special Agent Meredith “Merri” Brody.The action crime drama was the secondspinoff in theNCISfranchiseand the third show overall. As its title indicates,NCIS: New Orleansfollows a Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) team in New Orleans,Louisiana, led by Scott Bakula’s Supervisory Special Agent Dwayne Cassius Pride. McLellan’s Brody was a part of that team, but she left following the season 2 finale.
CBS canceledNCIS: New Orleansafter seven seasons due to poor ratings and changes in the TV business. TheNCISfranchise’s third spinoff,NCIS: Hawaii, premiered a few months after theNCIS: New Orleansseries finale in 2021.
McLellan was a part of the originalcast ofNCIS: New Orleans, which is what made her exit surprising. Bakula, McLellan, Lucas Black, CCH Pounder, and Rob Kerkovich were the only series regulars in season 1, and most of them stayed with the show until the very end (except for McLellan andBlack, who left after season 6). Nevertheless, theNCIS: New Orleansseason 3 premiere marked the first episode without Brody.The actress sadly never returned to the series.
McLellan Left The CBS Series After Season 2
Zoe McLellan exitingNCIS: New Orleansgoing into season 3 was a creative decisionmade by the writers and producers (perTVLine). McLellan’s character, Brody, became compromised during the season 2 finale because of her relationship with Homeland Security Agent John Russo. Russo was corrupt as he was a mole with anti-military and zealot tendencies. Unfortunately, Brody’s affiliation with Russo left a black mark on her record, leading to her questioning herself and leaving the NCIS team in New Orleans.
After [Zoe] McLellan’s exit, the action crime drama cast Vanessa Ferlito as Special Agent Tammy Gregorio, Brody’s replacement on Pride’s squad inNCIS: New Orleans.
By all accounts,McLellan seemingly didn’t leaveNCIS: New Orleansof her own volition.Instead, the actress had to depart fromtheNCISTV showbecause her character’s story was leading her away from the New Orleans team. After McLellan’s exit, the action crime drama cast Vanessa Ferlito as Special Agent Tammy Gregorio, Brody’s replacement on Pride’s squad inNCIS: New Orleans.
What Happened To Zoe McLellan After NCIS: Orleans
McLellan Starred In Designated Survivor
A little over a year after parting ways withNCIS: New Orleansin 2016,Zoe McLellan was cast as Kendra Daynes inDesignated Survivorseason 2.Sadly, McLellan’s first series regular role after the CBS action crime drama only lasted for one season. The actress leftDesignated Survivorfollowing season 2 as CBS canceled the show. Even though Netflix picked the political thriller up for a third season, McLellan didn’t reprise her role as Kendra.
NCIS' Unbroken 21-Year Casting Record Is The Key To Its Success Despite Multiple Character Exits
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Aside fromDesignated Survivor, McLellan also landed small recurring roles asHolly Cromwell inSuitsand as Dr. Fran Conway inLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit.The actress also starred in a couple of TV films —Mean QueenandIs My Daughter Really Dead?— in the late 2010s. However, theformerNCIS: New Orleansstar McLellan hasn’t acted since 2019.
NCIS: New Orleans
Cast
The third series in the NCIS franchise, NCIS: New Orleans is a crime drama television series that aired for seven seasons from 2014-2021 on CBS. The police procedural show follows the work of a New Orleans-based team of NCIS Special Agents led by Supervisory Special Agent Dwayne “King” Cassius Pride, played by Scott Bakula. The cast also includes CCH Pounder, Rob Kerkovich, Daryl “Chill” Mitchell, Lucas Black, and Vanessa Ferlito, among others.
