One character, first introduced in season 6, was recast in NCIS season 21, episode 7, but it’s not the first time this has happened in the CBS show.
The 1000th episode of the NCIS franchise was full of shocks, but one of the hour’s most significant storylines revolved around NCIS Director Leon Vance, played by Rocky Carroll, and his son, Jared Vance, who a new actor portrayed. The CBS military police procedural television series, created by Donald P. Bellisario and Don McGill, has been on the air for almost 21 years, with over 460 episodes and four spin-offs (and two more coming) under its belt. NCIS’ success is unmatched, but when any show runs for that long, cast members tend to come and go, and recasts are necessary.
Aside from season 21’s regular players, the cast of the NCIS franchise’s 1000th episode included a handful of cameos. Vanessa Lachey as Special Agent in Charge Jane Tennant from NCIS: Hawai’i and Daniela Ruah as Special Agent Kensi Blye-Deeks from NCIS: Los Angeles returned to celebrate the momentous episode. Meanwhile, Jared Vance returned, but after being played by child actors in earlier seasons, an older performer stepped into the character’s shoes for the first time in NCIS season 21, episode 7, “A Thousand Yards.”
NCIS’ 1000th Episode Is The Second Time Jared Vance Has Been Recast
Spence Moore II Plays Jared In NCIS Season 21
Spence Moore II starred as Jared Vance in NCIS’ 1000th episode, but he wasn’t the first person to play Leon Vance’s son in the CBS series. Khamani Griffin originated the young character, as Jared was introduced in season 6, episode 18, “Knockout.” During the hour, Mark Harmon as Leroy Jethro Gibbs dug into Vance’s past after learning some troubling information about the NCIS Director. Consequently, the Vance-focused episode featured the first appearances of his wife (Jackie), son (Jared), and daughter (Kayla). However, a few seasons later, the NCIS producers recast Griffin as Jared and replaced him with Akinsola Aribo.
Aribo stepped in as Jared for Griffin in NCIS season 9, episode 19, “The Good Son.” The episode centered around a Navy Petty Officer’s death, and Director Vance’s brother-in-law, Michael Thomas, was the main suspect. Since it was another hour that focused on Director Vance, it featured scenes of his family at their home, which is where Aribo entered the picture. Unlike his predecessor, Aribo portrayed Jared multiple times, as he returned for two episodes in season 10 and one in season 11. Jared wasn’t seen again until the franchise’s 1000th episode, and he was recast and replaced with Moore.
Why Has NCIS Recast Jared Vance Twice?
Akinsola Aribo & Khamani Griffin Previously Portrayed Jared
The NCIS producers have never revealed why they recast Jared the first time (when Akinsola Aribo took over for Khamani Griffin). However, it might have been due to conflicting schedules, as Griffin was seemingly quite busy in the late 2000s and early 2010s. The young actor appeared in television shows such as Ni Hao, Kai-Lan, Grey’s Anatomy, Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, and Brothers & Sisters. Or the recast might have been a result of Griffin being too old to play Jared in NCIS season 9 — the actor was around 13 years old while it was airing.
Perhaps [Spence] Moore will resurface in NCIS season 22, and the CBS military police procedural television series will feature Director Vance rekindling his relationship with his son.
Meanwhile, the producers renovated the role again in the cast of NCIS season 21, episode 7, with Spence Moore II stepping in for Aribo. Age might have played a part in hiring a new actor to play Jared, but Aribo also hasn’t acted in about a decade. As a result, Moore is the new (older) Jared, and, hopefully, fans will see him again in future NCIS episodes.
Will Jared Vance Return In NCIS’ Future?
NCIS’ 1000th Episode Set Up Future Storylines For Jared
Spence Moore II is not confirmed to reprise his role as Jared Vance in the final three episodes of NCIS season 21. But given where Jared and Director Vance left off in the 1000th episode, the actor’s return wouldn’t be surprising. The father and son had become estranged in the years following Jackie Vance’s death, as demonstrated during their tense conversation at the beginning of the 1000th episode. Perhaps Moore will resurface in NCIS season 22, and the CBS military police procedural television series will feature Director Vance rekindling his relationship with his son.
What Else Has Spence Moore II, NCIS’ New Jared Vance Actor, Been In?
Spence Moore II Is Known For His Role In All American
The audience may have recognized Spence Moore II when he appeared as Jared Vance in NCIS season 21, episode 7 since the actor has previous experience in numerous popular shows and movies. Most notably, Moore has a recurring role as Chris Jackson in the All American cast, played Dan Decker in A.P. Bio, and appears as Matteo Mannheim in Superman & Lois. Moore also starred as Young Damian Anderson (who was primarily played by Jonathan Majors) in Michael B. Jackson’s Creed III. So, it’s easy to understand why the NCIS producers chose Moore to replace Khamani Griffin and Akinsola Aribo.