Jason Antoon shares a deep connection with his NCIS: Hawai’i castmates, particularly Vanessa Lachey, as they all share the same birthday of November 9th. The bond between them is strong, with the cast often celebrating their joint birthday on filming days in Hawaii with a big cake and a party. Antoon plays tech guru Ernie Malik on the show, and his connection with Vanessa, who plays Special Agent in Charge Jane Tennant, began at a party that she invited him to after they both got their roles on the show.
The chemistry among the entire NCIS: Hawai’i family is evident, as Antoon describes them as all being cool and adhering to a ‘no asshole’ policy set by the showrunner. This positive and respectful environment has made a significant difference in their experience of filming the show. The feeling of ohana, or family, is one of the reasons Antoon enjoys playing his character, Ernie, who acts as a brother and father figure to the younger characters on the show, Lucy Tara and Kate Whistler.
Having participated in crossover episodes with the flagship NCIS series, Antoon notes that their friendships are similar to those on other spinoffs. The closeness among the cast has made Antoon hopeful that if Hawai’i gets picked up for a fourth season, there will be more joint episodes with other NCIS franchises. He believes that CBS has been receptive to the idea of crossovers, which he likens to the Marvel universe, and finds it exciting and cool to dabble in that kind of crossover content.
Antoon praises Vanessa Lachey for being a great party host and for her ability to throw amazing parties. He notes that their initial meeting was instantaneous, with an immediate connection between them, thanks to their shared birthday and similar personalities. Antoon’s character, Ernie, is a crucial part of the show, as he enjoys delving into the personal lives of the other characters and extracting important information from them.
The positive experience of working on NCIS: Hawai’i has been greatly enhanced by the friendships and connections among the cast, which have translated into a genuine sense of ohana and a strong bond on set. Antoon’s favorite part about playing his character is the relationships he has with the other characters, acting as an older brother figure to some and digging into their personal lives to bring out more depth and complexity in their interactions. The positive and respectful environment created by the cast and crew has made filming the show a rewarding experience for Antoon and his fellow cast members.
In conclusion, Jason Antoon’s strong connection with his NCIS: Hawai’i castmates, particularly Vanessa Lachey, has added an extra layer of depth to his experience working on the show. The positive and respectful atmosphere on set, coupled with the feeling of ohana, has made filming a rewarding and enjoyable experience for Antoon and the rest of the cast. The potential for future crossovers with other NCIS franchises has also added excitement and possibilities for expanding the show’s universe and exploring new storylines with other characters. Overall, the bonds and relationships that have been formed among the cast have contributed to the success and positive reception of NCIS: Hawai’i.
