NCIS fans were excited to see Nick Torres back with former flame and teammate Ellie Bishop — but what does their obvious connection mean for him and his new partner, Jessica Knight?
Wilmer Valderrama, who plays Torres, exclusively told Us Weekly that Torres’ kiss with Bishop (Emily Wickersham) during their Tuesday, March 3, reunion could have a ripple effect on his budding chemistry with Knight (Katrina Law).
The actor, 46, explained that throughout season 23 of the CBS show, fans have been right in noticing the sparks flying between Torres and Knight. Their connection, however, could cause trouble with the overall team — and Knight’s ex-boyfriend NCIS medical examiner Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen).
“That lever is, like, half, it’s, like, a 50 percent pull. And I don’t know that from here to the end of the season, that lever will pull all the way,” Valderrama told Us of Torres and Knight’s possible partners to lovers’ story line, adding that the NCIS writers “don’t pull levers without a plan.”
He warned that if Torres and Knight cross that line, there would be “consequences,” and potential “irreparable damages” for everyone involved.
“It would change the dynamic for a long time in the squadroom. That may be great TV, I don’t know,” Valderrama said with a laugh. “I don’t know what the writers will want. And I think that what I will tell you is that for the rest of the season, and including the beginning of next, we’re creating themes that I think are going to answer some of these questions.”
The That ‘70s Show alum teased that “things might get complicated” if Torres and Knight have a kiss of their own. (Torres and Knight shared a kiss during the March 3 episode, which Knight saw on the tarmac.)
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“All I can tell you is that if we start something, you can probably put your money on that we’re going to see it through in whatever way it turns,” Valderrama added.
While Valderrama claimed he was in the dark about what the writers want for Torres and Knight moving forward, he hinted that something romantic might be in the works.
“They’ve made such a connection as a team. They’ve gotten very close,” he told Us. “These are two really lonely badasses, so I don’t know what happens next.”
As NCIS fans know, Knight dated Palmer for some time before they called it quits during season 21. Her connection with Torres has since become more and more evident as they’ve worked in close quarters over the past season.
Torres, meanwhile, secretly started dating Bishop while they were partners at NCIS. When she abruptly left the team during season 18 in 2021, she didn’t give Torres any warning, which has stuck with him for years.
During the March 3 episode, Bishop made her return to NCIS, turning to Torres and the rest of her former team to help her clear her name and save her new cyber team after being accused of stealing state secrets.
In addition to cracking the case, Bishop and Torres finally got closure when she confessed that she left without a word because she was “scared” Torres would ask her to stay and she’d say yes.
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Before Bishop jetted off for another mission, she asked Torres to join her but he declined the offer. The pair, however, did share a passionate kiss, hinting that their story isn’t fully over.
“I think that there is just such a great understanding between the two of them, and even if something doesn’t happen in the immediate … They’re living these parallel lives,” Wickersham, 41, exclusively told Us earlier this month of the two characters’ bond.
Valderrama agreed, telling Us, “I think he respects that we’re both on that dual track. Will that track intertwine again? I’d be surprised if they didn’t.”
NCIS airs on CBS Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET.
