Actor Devin Druid is officially joining the sprawling NCIS television franchise. He stars in the upcoming CBS spinoff, NCIS: New York. Druid is widely recognized for his breakout role as Tyler Down in Netflix’s teen drama 13 Reasons Why. Landing a major role in this network crime drama carries a deeply personal connection for him because he grew up watching the original series.
Ahead of the show’s premiere, Druid spoke with Entertainment Tonight about his transition into the long-running franchise. Reflecting on his initial days on set, the actor highlighted the welcoming environment created by the cast and crew. They immediately made him feel at home in what he jokingly referred to as his role as the “Gen Z kid” in the NCIS universe.
A Star-Studded Ensemble in the Big Apple
In NCIS: New York, Druid takes on the role of Sean Sullivan. His character is a witty, brilliant, and tech-savvy specialist who does not always follow orders easily. He joins a stacked ensemble cast that bridges the gap between classic franchise history and fresh new faces.
Leading the new series are franchise veteran LL Cool J, who reprises his beloved role as Sam Hanna from NCIS: Los Angeles, and Scott Caan, who stars alongside him as a roguish field agent. The New York field office is rounded out by an impressive supporting lineup:
- Jennifer Beals as Assistant Special Agent in Charge Robyn Wells, the intuitive director of the field office.
- Jacqueline Byers as NCIS Special Agent Addison “Addy” Ross, a tough and resourceful investigator with something to prove.
- Shane Harper as NCIS Special Agent Wyatt Hill, a fearless and sharp operative who doubles as a hopeless romantic.
- Devin Druid as NCIS Tech Specialist Sean Sullivan.
Connecting Past and Present With Franchise Cameos
To help anchor the new spinoff within the broader universe, familiar faces from earlier iterations of the franchise are making appearances. During production on the pilot, Brian Dietzen-best known for playing medical examiner Jimmy Palmer across multiple seasons of the flagship NCIS series-made a special appearance in the first episode. Druid praised Dietzen and the rest of the team for rolling out the red carpet and acting as amazing hosts to the incoming actors.
The pilot episode for NCIS: New York was written by R. Scott Gemmill. Gemmill is a veteran of NCIS: Los Angeles who penned 14 seasons of the show and served as its showrunner for seven. Byron Balasco, known for his work on Kingdom and Without a Trace, serves as the showrunner for the new series, ensuring that the procedural drama maintains the high-stakes energy fans have expected from the brand for over two decades.
From Streaming Drama to Network Crime Procedural
Druid’s casting marks a notable pivot from the gritty streaming dramas that defined his early career to a traditional network crime procedural. Before booking NCIS: New York, Druid built an impressive resume. This includes playing Conrad in Joachim Trier’s 2015 drama film Louder Than Bombs alongside Jesse Eisenberg and Gabriel Byrne, as well as appearing in critically acclaimed projects like HBO’s Olive Kitteridge and guest spots on House of Cards and 9-1-1.
By bringing his talents to NCIS: New York, Druid bridges a generational gap for viewers. He transitions from a young fan watching the procedural on television at home to an integral part of the team defending one of the world’s most vital ports and cities.
