UNSTOPPABLE NCIS!

Solving cases and attracting loyal since 2003, these D.C. investigators hit a new milestone: 450 episodes

- KATE HAHN

FEELS LIKE JUST yesterday we were learning what the acronym stood for (Naval Criminal Investigative Service, of course!). Now we can't imagine our viewing lives without NCIS, which spun off from two 2003 episodes of JAG into its own juggernaut of twisty mysteries and beloved characters. To mark the series' 450th episode, airing February 27, we solicited fan questions for the actors and creative team. A fun tidbit we learned: At one point, producers hoped to have all the living presidents make cameo appearances. "I thought I could get them in a card game," says executive producer Steven D. Binder. He had a connection who could ask one POTUS directly, but it didn't work out. "And if you can't get the one, then you get none." But wouldn't that have been amazing! Read on for more fascinating info.

GETTING INTO CHARACTER

Was there something in the waters at Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago that prepared you, Billy Petersen (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation) and Gary Sinise (CSI: NY) to play different but equally memorable crime-fighting leaders? -polleny  GARY COLE (SPECIAL AGENT ALDI PARKER) Ha! I know, that seems to be quite a coincidence. You can add Joe Mantegna, another Chicago guy, who does Criminal Minds, to that list. Not sure, but we all did a lot of different kinds of characters on stage back in Chicago. Maybe it helped us with simply making scenes work.

What do you like most about Jess? -Jhos

KATRINA LAW (SPECIAL AGENT JESSICA KNIGHT) I love how Knight's badass work persona dissolves into awkward quirkiness when she gets nervous. It's so much fun to play an agent with a soft, goofy side to her.

CLOCKING IN

What was the best day on set for you?

-Jess From Oz