Jason Kennedy

Happy Pride, friends!  I've been doing a lot of reflecting this week as Pride Month begins this weekend. I'm not sure if all Gen X people can relate, but my situation growing up in the '80s and '90s was that of being anything but proud of who I was. I was very fortunate to have a supportive and understanding family, and some very good close friends, but the outside world was simply not accepting of gay people. I was trained by society to hide who I was, code-switch to act straight for my survival, and to carry a deep sense of shame for simply being myself. While a lot of things have changed over the last 30+ years, many things have not. It's not only evident with the resurgence of ignorance and hate in the political sphere, but also here at home with my teenage son, who is embarrassed to have gay dads. I was reluctant to mention this on social media, as it's quite personal, but very relevant at this scary and uncertain time. It reminds us that the journey isn't over. As parents, we can only do so much when the prevailing message sometimes still suggests that queer people don't belong. It's a stark reality that makes feeling proud a constant act of defiance. Humanity's history is unfortunately marked by prejudice. It's both disheartening and a motivator to continue striving for a more compassionate world, a world I wish I had grown up in, and a world I hope my son will fully experience. It's taken me five decades to truly embrace my pride. Being gay is just one facet of who I am, but for too long, it cast a shadow of shame that obscured so many other wonderful aspects of myself. For people like me, and especially younger people struggling for acceptance, know that your truth is your strength. Embrace your authentic self, even when it feels hard, because you are worthy of love, respect, and belonging. Pride is a journey, not a destination, and every step towards self-acceptance is a victory. I'm still very much on this journey. I'm not just proud that I'm gay, but proud of the resilience it took to persevere, proud of the love in my life, and proud to finally say, unequivocally, this is me, and I embrace it all. Happy Pride! 🌈 #happypride #thisisme

The NCIS season finale is almost here, and the stakes have never been higher! Don’t miss the pulse-pounding conclusion to the season in an all-new NCIS this Tuesday on CBS! Tune in for “Sons and Daughters,” written by Christopher J. Waild and directed by José Clemente Hernandez! A new explosion, occurring one year after a deadly coffee shop bombing, reveals the original attack was not the work of a lone wolf. The investigation forces the team to confront difficult questions of legacy and loyalty. Incredibly proud of our NCIS cast and crew for another unforgettable season. Before the curtains close on season 23, let's give a shout-out to our phenomenal stars: Gary Cole, Sean Murray, Wilmer Valderrama, Katrina Law, Brian Dietzen, Diona Reasonover, and Rocky Carroll! Now, check out this brilliant ensemble, as we first welcome back Seamus Dever, Naomi Grace, and Patrick Keleher, who are joining Luis Carazo, David Berman, Josh Keeler, Baker Powell, Geri Courtney-Austein, Chance O'Sullivan, Boise Holmes, and Alex Lizotte! Enjoy the show, and thanks for watching! #ChristopherJWaild #JoséClementeHernandez! #GaryCole @therealseanmurray @wilmervalderrama @katrinalaw @briandietzen @dionareasonover #RockyCarroll @seamuspatrickdever @naomigraceful @patrickkeleher @luis.carazo @dpb88 @jkee_cali @bakerpowell @gericourtneyaustein #ChanceOSullivan @boiseholmes @scoopsnation CastingBy @kennedycasting KrystiBaxter MeredithGoble @ncisverse @cbstv

The season finale is almost here and everything is about to change! Don’t miss an all-new NCIS: Origins this Tuesday on CBS! Tune in for “Hollywood Ending,” written by Gina Lucita Monreal and directed by Niels Arden Oplev! With the Camp Pendleton office in danger of being shut down, the team confronts a definitive crossroads that will forever change the future of the NIS and everyone we love. So proud of our cast and crew for another wonderful season. It’s worth highlighting our amazing regulars once more before the final episode of the season. Let’s hear it for Austin Stowell, Kyle Schmid, Mariel Molino, Caleb Foote, Tyla Abercrumbie, and Diany Rodriguez! Now, check out this incredible curation of recurs and guest actors: Patrick Fischler, Bobby Moynihan, Michael J. Harney, Julian Black Antelope, Daniel Bellomy, Christopher Backus, Philip Winchester, Hannah Barefoot, Miguel Gomez, Lori Petty, Ely Henry, Jeff Boehm, Adam Mendoza, Marisa Baram, Aaron Wilton, Kayla Maisonet, Rafael Lopez Jr., Victor Medina, Marsuvio Sánchez, Daphne Bloomer, Kassie Thornton, Derek Graf, and Steven Shelby! Enjoy the show, and thanks for watching! @ginalucita #NielsArdenOplev @linneaarden @davyjnorth @amstowell @iamkyleschmid @marielmolino @calebfoote @dianysaurusrex @tylaabercrumbie @pfischler @bibbymoynihan @michaelharney7 @j_blackantelope #DanielBellomy @christopherbackus #PhilipWinchester @hannahbarefoot #MiguelGomez @lori_petty @elyhenry @jmboehm33 @adammendoza598 @marisabaram @aaronwiltonactor @kaylamaisonet @reallyrafael #VictorMedina MarsuvioSanchez @daphnebloomer @thekassiethornton DerekGraf @kekoashelby CastingBy @kennedycasting KrystiBaxter MeredithGoble @ncisverse @cbstv

Buried secrets and family friction. Don’t miss an all-new #NCIS this Tuesday on CBS! Tune in for “Deal with the Devil,” written by Andrew Bartels and directed by Diana Valentine! As a secret immunity deal threatens to derail a high-stakes investigation, Parker’s estranged sister resurfaces—bringing deeply buried family wounds back to the surface as the team fights to keep the case alive. We are thrilled to welcome back the incredible Nancy Travis! She joins a phenomenal guest cast featuring J. Paul Boehmer, Joel Johnstone, Corey Brill, Kathleen Garrett, Jolene Kay, Daniel Alatorre, Kimberly Guevara, and Sarah McLean! Enjoy the show, and thanks for watching! @bartelsand @ladydidirects @nancytravisofficial @j.paulboehmer @joeljohnstone @coreybrilliant @thisiskathleengarrett @joleneokay @mrdaniel.alatorre @kg.hustla @iamsarahmclean #CastingBy @kennedycasting #KrystiBaxter #MeredithGoble @ncisverse @cbstv #casting

The code isn't just about survival—it's about who you can trust. 💼⚖️ Don’t miss an all-new NCIS: Origins this Tuesday night on CBS! Be sure to tune in for “Rule 13,” written by Gina Lucita Monreal and Jai Jamison & Ryan Lee and directed by Jessica Lowrey! Chaos erupts at NIS when a car bomb shatters the peace, forcing Wheeler to take command of a high-stakes hunt for those responsible. As the team uncovers a widening conspiracy, a pivotal moment leads Gibbs to write a new rule that will define his code for decades to come. How about this incredible guest cast?! Patrick Fischler, Bobby Moynihan, Michael J. Harney, Christopher Backus, Philip Winchester, Michael Maize, Santino Barnard, Ely Henry, Jeff Boehm, Gabriel Mann, Nicole Bilderback, Caitlin Bassett, Lorena Martinez, Marisa Baram, Jeff Elam, Doral Miller, Skyler Bible, Douglas Olsson, Jason Wayne Wong, Gary B. Curtis, Xaveria "Zay" Baird, and Jesse Saler! Enjoy the show, and thanks for watching! @ginalucita @jaijamison @paperfisherman @jessicalowrey @pfischler @bibbymoynihan @michaelharney7 @carriedbythecurrent #PhilipWinchester @michaelmaize santino_barnard @elyhenry @jmboehm33 @gabriel_mann @thenicolebilderback @caitlinbassett @biencreativelorena @marisabaram #JeffElam @thamindofmilla @skylerbible @thedouglasolsson @retrogradejason @garycurtisfunny @iamxaveriabaird @jesse.saler #CastingBy @kennedycasting #KrystiBaxter #MeredithGoble @ncisverse @cbstv

The hunt for the truth reaches its breaking point. 🕵️‍♂️💥 Don’t miss the conclusion of our two-part event on an all-new #NCIS Tuesday night on CBS! Be sure to tune in for “Bad Impressions,” written by Marco Schnabel and directed by James Whitmore, Jr.! Picking up immediately where last week’s massive cliffhanger left off, the team and Sam Hanna race to help one of their own who has been framed for murder and caught in a widening conspiracy that could compromise national security. Special Guest Star LL Cool J joins our fabulous guest cast, Noah Bean, Briana Venskus-Vazquez, Benito Martinez, Josh Banday, Sanjit De Silva, Judson Mills, Geoffrey Arend, Yevgeniy Kartashov, and Rachel Coopes! Enjoy the show, and thanks for watching! #MarcoSchnabel #JamesWhitmoreJr @llcoolj @noahthebean @houseofvenskus @benitomartinezreal21 @joshbanday @sanjitdesilva @judsonmills @geoffreyarend @yevgeniykartashov @rachelcoopes #CastingBy @kennedycasting KrystiBaxter MeredithGoble @ncisverse @cbstv #casting

Relationships are complicated in an all-new NCIS: Origins tomorrow night on CBS! You don’t want to miss “Who’s Gonna Drive You Home?”, written by Ron McGee and directed by Loren Yaconelli! While Gibbs and Lala grow closer, Gibbs' long-distance relationship with Diane is further tested by the arrival of an unexpected guest: his father, Jackson Gibbs. Check out this week's wonderful guest cast: Robert Taylor, Patrick Fischler, Bobby Moynihan, Michael J. Harney, Brian Letscher, Ramón de Ocampo, Alicia Coppola, Kathleen Kenny, Ely Henry, Gabriela Kostadinova, Gabriel Mann, Marisa Baram, Michael A. Shepperd, Taylor Meskimen, Ingrid Walters, Parissa Koo, and Silas Borelly! Enjoy the show, and thanks for watching! #RonMcGee @lyac @roberttaylor6677 @pfischler @bibbymoynihan @michaelharney7 @brianletscher @ramondeocampo @alicia_coppola @kathleen_kenny_ @elyhenry @foreign.factor @gabriel_mann @marisabaram @shepdawg1122 @tmex @ingridwalters25 @parissakoo @silasborelly #CastingBy @kennedycasting KrystiBaxter MeredithGoble @ncisverse @cbstv #NCIS #NCISOrigins #casting

Before Sam Hanna begins his next chapter in New York, he pops up in DC for an all-new #NCIS tomorrow night on CBS! Be sure to tune in for “Reboot,” written by Scott Williams and directed by Lionel Coleman! With the mainframe down for a midnight upgrade, what starts as a routine reboot becomes a high-stakes game of cat and mouse through a darkened headquarters when an unexpected intruder begins hunting from within. LL Cool J returns to where it all started over 17 years ago, joined by Geoffrey Arend, Noah Bean, Josh Banday, Matt Bush, Regan Aliyah, Frank Gallegos, Lisa Cirincione, Josh Sussman, Shannon Corbeil, Juliana Danielle Ferreira, and Lucas Mazanko! Enjoy the show, and thanks for watching! @mostxsw @lionelc1 @llcoolj @geoffreyarend @noahthebean @joshbanday @itsmattbush @reganaliyah @nyfrankg @lisa.creates @mrjoshsussman @shannoncorbeil @jumpingjulianabean @lucas.masterpiece #CastingBy @kennedycasting #KrystiBaxter #MeredithGoble @ncisverse @cbstv #casting

How far would you go to protect the ones you love? Lala is taking a massive risk on an all-new NCIS: Origins tomorrow night on CBS! Don’t miss “Johnny B. Goode,” written by Gina Lucita Monreal and directed by Anthony Hemingway! Lala's determination to get Manny out of gang life lands the team in the middle of a brutal 1990s turf war, where loyalties are tested, and the stakes are life and death. Check out this week’s incredible recurring and guest cast: Miguel Gomez, Scotty Tovar, Patrick Fischler, Bobby Moynihan, Julian Black Antelope, Hannah Barefoot, Lori Petty, Ely Henry, Travis Hammer, Debba Rofheart, Livia Treviño, Adam Mendoza, Victor Medina, Rafael Lopez Jr., and Jaycob Ornelas Maya! Enjoy the show, and thanks for watching! @ginalucita @shinybootz #MiguelGomez @scottytovar @pfischler @bibbymoynihan @j.blackantelope @hannahbarefoot @lori_petty @elyhenry @whyisitsotoughtopickausername @debba_rofheart @liviaanntrevino @adammendoza598 #VictorMedina @reallyrafael #JaycobOrnelasMaya #CastingBy @kennedycasting #KrystiBaxter MeredithGoble @ncisverse @cbstv

Every answer leads to a new twist on an all-new NCIS this Tuesday on CBS! You won’t want to miss “S.O.S.,” written by Sydney Mitchel & Amy Rutberg and directed by Rocky Carroll! When a Navy lieutenant resurfaces long after her plane vanished with a story that doesn't quite add up, the team must peel back the mystery of a crash that was anything but accidental. Check out this week’s fantastic guest cast: Yael Grobglas, A.J. Tannen, Curt Mega, Melissa Greenspan, Teya Patt, Sean Thomas Simmons, Alexander Chard, and Kamy D. Bruder! Enjoy the show, and thanks for watching! #SydneyMitchel @amyrutberg #RockyCarroll @yaelgrobglas @ajtannen @curtmega @melissagreenspan @teyapatt @sean_thomas_simmons @alexanderchard @kamybruder #CastingBy @kennedycasting KrystiBaxter MeredithGoble @ncisverse @cbstv #NCIS #casting

Even Gary Callahan has an origin story! 🐾 Don’t miss an all-new NCIS: Origins this Tuesday on CBS! Tune in for “The Beautiful Ballad of Gary Callahan,” written by David J. North & Daniel J. Egbert and directed by Diana Valentine! When the team’s trusted K-9 agent, Gary Callahan, is critically wounded at a crime scene, NIS races to track down the culprit while a surprising pre-Pendleton chapter in Franks’ life is revealed. Check out this week's tremendous guest cast, starting with Mufasa the German Shepherd, Patrick Fischler, Bobby Moynihan, Julian Black Antelope, Michael J. Harney, Daniel Bellomy, Tonantzin Carmelo, Richard Meehan, Lori Petty, Ely Henry, Daniel Roebuck, Gabriel Mann, Marisa Baram, Kayla Maisonet, Aaron Wilton, Mathew Yanagiya, Emmie Hunter, Ashlynn Judy, Lilly Mollett, Riley Go, Lyn Alicia Henderson, Sam Boxleitner, Paula Rhodes, Damian Muziani, Andy Shephard, and Ella Stricklin! Enjoy the show, and thanks for watching! @davyjnorth #DanielJEgbert @ladydidirects @animalsforhollywood @pfischler @bibbymoynihan @j.blackantelope @michaelharney7 #DanielBellomy @tonantzincarmelo @richseyes @lori_petty @elyhenry @mrdanielroebuck @gabriel_mann @marisabaram @kaymais #AaronWilton @mattyanagiya @_emmiehunter11 @ashlynnjudy @lillymollett @officialrileygo @lynalicia @samboxleitner @paula_rhodes @damianmuziani @andy__shep #EllaStricklin #CastingBy @kennedycasting KrystiBaxter MeredithGoble @ncisverse @cbstv NCISOrigins

The mystery pieces together on an all-new NCIS this Tuesday on CBS! Make sure to tune in for “Knick-Knack,” written by Christopher J. Waild and directed by Kevin Berlandi! A murder aboard a museum ship becomes a cryptic treasure hunt when a dying Navy captain leaves a final clue. To solve it, the team must decode what was worth killing – and dying – for. Check out this week’s fantastic guest cast: J. Claude Deering is back, plus Meryl Hathaway, Daniel Bonjour, Sofia Milos, Kristian Ventura, Kenny Cooper, Serenity Grace Russell, and Peggy Lu! Enjoy the show, and thanks for watching! #ChristopherJWaild @kberlandi @jclaudedeering @merylhathaway @danielbonjour @sofiamilos @kristianventura @kennycooperacts @serenitygracerussell @akapeggylu #CastingBy @kennedycasting #KrystiBaxter #MeredithGoble @ncisverse @cbstv #casting castingdirector