Exclusive: Katrina Law on Making ‘NCIS’ Without Mark Harmon and Living By Rule 15 in a ‘Dysfunctional Little Family’

The NCIS universe expanded in season 19 with the addition of Alden Parker (Gary Cole) and with Jessica Knight (Katrina Law) becoming a series regular. In the “Cast of Characters” exclusive bonus content from the DVD release, the two actors share their thoughts on joining the cast and the importance of Rule 15: Always work as a team!

“My favorite script so far is the one where we are all in a boat,” Law says. “That was the first time post-Gibbs that you saw the team come together to become what we are now. It was the first time that Alden Parker accepted us and claimed us as his own and put himself at risk for his team. I think that was a huge moment for the show going forward because it showed, 'Yes, we are a team. We care about each other and, eventually, we are all going to love each other as a dysfunctional little family.'”

Parker, of course, took over as the team leader following Mark Harmon’s exit from his role as Special Agent Leroy Gibbs, and they were big shoes to fill.

Related: NCIS Is Back in Action With Things You’ve Never Seen from 'NCIS' Before!

“I guess I qualify as the new guy,” he says. “Although Katrina is almost as new as I am, but we have a good time. I think we found the right balance of being able to be loose and fun and joke around with each other and then get down to it when we have to get down to it. I think you need both, especially with a season as long as ours. You have to release some of the pent-up anxiety or whatever you call it. I think we’ve achieved that. It’s a fun place to come to work. Let’s put it that way.”

There was serious concern on the part of all with what Harmon’s departure would mean for the series, but the writing team, which according to showrunner Steven D. Binder has several new members, was able to seamlessly make the transition work.

Related: Everything We Know So Far About NCIS Season 20

“It's fun for our audience to feel that the old family is still very much in the room,” says executive producer Scott Williams. “We can tell new stories and still pay homage and respect to those who came before.”

NCIS: The Nineteenth Season DVD includes all 21 episodes as well as 45 minutes of exclusive special features and behind-the-scenes-moments and will be available to purchase on August 16.

NCIS airs Monday nights at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.

Next: See the First Pics from the NCIS and NCIS: Hawai'i Fall Premiere Crossover Event!