Wilmer Valderrama has had a home at CBS for a while now playing Special Agent Nick Torres on NCIS, and now it looks like the actor's roots in the network just got a bit deeper. The network just put a project from Valderrama's production company into development, which will combine the wilderness of Yosemite with the crime procedural formula CBS loves so much.
The new project, The Trail, is the story of elite investigators who work within the U.S. National Parks service. They work together to solve the mysteries that appear in the massive Yosemite National Park, which can be a dangerous place. Deadline has reported the project (which would be a one-hour drama if ordered to series) is being penned by former Rosewood writer David Harrington Miller, and hails from Wilmer Valderrama and his production company WV Entertainment.
It seems evident that Wilmer Valderrama will have some behind-the-scenes role on The Trail if it gets a series order, though it's unknown if he'll have a role in front of the camera. As mentioned, he's one of the main faces on NCIS, and the premise of The Trail does seemingly open the door for some sort of crossover down the line with Team Gibbs. Could Nick be leaving Team Gibbs to work out in the wilderness?
That doesn't feel likely given Season 17's current story, though it's worth mentioning Valderrama wouldn't be the only NCIS alumni to strike out on a show of their own after a tenure at one of CBS' biggest dramas. Michael Weatherly's run on Bull is evidence it can be done, and that's even accomplished without trying to tie the two shows together in any way.
It's also possible to be an executive producer on a CBS show and continue to play a major character on NCIS. Mark Harmon has been an executive producer on NCIS: New Orleans for quite some time now, yet has only appeared on the show a handful of times. Should The Frontier have a future on the network, it's not like NCIS immediately has to find a way to get rid of Nick.
It is worth noting that Wilmer Valderrama's contract on NCIS is up at the conclusion of Season 17. That deal was crafted around the same time as the first-look deal the network arranged for his production company, so it's an interesting situation. With no stars currently attached to the project, this could be a home for Wilmer Valderrama to hop to and spread his wings if he's done with NCIS. We'll have to be on the lookout to see if he signs another contract to extend his time on the crime procedural.
Related: How Cote De Pablo Was Pitched To Return To NCIS
For now, Wilmer Valderrama is on NCIS, which airs on CBS Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m. ET. Stick with CinemaBlend for updates on the series, and for more on what's happening in the world of television and movies this fall season.
