NCIS: Los Angeles Will Be Giving One Character A Lot More To Do Now

NCIS: Los Angeles CBS

Things are always changing in the NCIS franchise, which means casts between shows can switch up quite a bit throughout the course of a series. Such is the case for NCIS: Los Angeles, though fans will be seeing more of a certain character as opposed to saying goodbye to another. Medalion Rahimi, who plays Special Agent Fatima Namazi, has been promoted to series regular.

Special Agent Fatima Namazi first appeared in the Season 10 episode "Smokescreen," and has appeared in a handful of episodes in Season 11. Fatima Namazi is a cryptological technician for the NCIS: Los Angeles team, and a go-to expert on the Middle East. Deadline reported Medalion Rahimi played Namazi in 9 episodes before her bump in status from recurring to series regular.

Medalion Rahimi NCIS: Los Angeles CBS

Fatima was last seen in the NCIS: Los Angeles episode "Concours D'Elegance," where the stage was set for a potential write-off of her character. After Fatima participated in a number of Ops with the team, Hetty convinced Fatima not to pursue a transfer to Washington D.C., and instead go on an off-the-books mission for her. This promotion for Medalion Rahimi suggests fans should learn the details of that mission in the coming episodes and how it will impact Fatima's arc on the series moving forward.

Medalion Rahimi's promotion is not the only casting news on the NCIS: Los Angeles front as of late, as someone from the franchise's past is due to return. Not too long ago, news broke that NCIS veteran Scottie Thompson will do a multiple episode arc on the CBS procedural. Thompson will play a new character in her return to the beloved franchise, and not her former character Jeanne Benoit who was seen mainly throughout Seasons 3 and 4 of NCIS.

There is no word on whether or not Scottie Thompson and Medalion Rahimi's characters are fated to meet. I would wager no for now, but only because Fatima's expertise in cryptology and the Middle East does not seem to mix with Thompson's Sarah Raines, who is tracking "unidentified aerial phenomena sightings." It's more likely Hetty sent Fatima on something a little more pressing and dangerous, though her series regular status probably means she'll ultimately be fine. That said, don't be surprised if she reconnects with the team after needing rescue from an operation similar to what happened with Eric Beale.

NCIS: Los Angeles airs on CBS Sundays at 9:00 p.m. ET. Continue to stick with CinemaBlend to stay on top of all major happenings in the NCIS franchise, news on what's happening with other shows, and for a look at what's headed to theaters now and in the near future. For more of what's coming to TV, check out our 2020 winter and spring premiere schedule.

Mick Joest
Content Producer

I like good television but also reality television. His day largely consists of balancing his workload between reporting on the latest and greatest news in Star Trek and other sci-fi, as well as 90 Day Fiancé, WWE, Big Brother, and more.