'NCIS' actor to also appear in spin-off

LOS ANGELES, July 3 (UPI) -- "NCIS" actor Rocky Carroll will also appear in the U.S. TV series' spin-off "NCIS: Los Angeles," an executive producer for the CBS shows says.

Executive producer Shane Brennan said Carroll, who plays NCIS Director Leon Vance on the original "NCIS," will have a recurring role on the forthcoming series as a supervisor of the show's investigative team, Zap2it.com reported Thursday.

"Rocky Carroll is an essential and beloved part of the NCIS team as Director Leon Vance," Brennan said. "The extension of his character is a natural addition to 'NCIS: Los Angeles.'"

Among the actors tabbed as "Los Angeles" regulars are LL Cool J, Chris O'Donnell, Daniela Ruah and Peter Cambor.

"NCIS" fans got a brief glimpse of the "Los Angeles" characters when the actors appeared in a two-episode arc in May, Zap2it.com said.