Meet ‘NCIS’ Star Diona Reasonover, Who’s Being Dubbed the ‘New Abby’

Ileane Rudolph August 1, 2018, 4:00 pm

Diona Reasonover in NCIS - 'One Man's Trash' — Monty Brinton/CBS

Abby Sciuto, the quirky, pigtailed goth genius played by Pauley Perrette for 15 years, was clearly the heart of NCIS. More than 15 million viewers watched her final episode on May 8, and Perrette ranks as one of TV’s most likable actresses.

So finding the team’s new forensic specialist was a tough job. On July 18, CBS announced that Diona Reasonover is joining the cast full-time beginning with the September 25 season premiere. Reasonover is not a brand-new face to viewers. The 26-year-old Detroit-born stand-up comic, actress (Clipped, Transparent, Grace and Frankie) and writer (I Love Dick) first guest starred on the March 13 episode as brainy — and, yes, oddball — Kasie Hines.

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Her initial appearance was as a graduate assistant working with medical examiner Ducky (David McCallum). After Abby’s departure, Kasie was back for the season’s last two episodes, where she demonstrated her superior forensic skills and, ultimately, landed the gig, onscreen and off.

NCIS - Brian Dietzen, Diona Reasonover, Pauley Perrette - "One Man's Trash" -- Gibbs and Ducky see an antique war stick on television that could be the missing murder weapon to a 16-year-old cold case, on NCIS, Tuesday, March 13 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Mike Wolfe of "American Pickers" guest stars as himself.

Reasonover with Pauley Perette and Brian Dietzen in NCIS.

CBS seems confident that fans — some of whom threatened to never watch the show again without Abby! — will be satisfied with both Kasie and Reasonover.

“Diona’s extensive comedic background and boundless energy makes her an exciting addition to our cast,” executive producers Frank Cardea and Steven D. Binder tell TV Guide Magazine. “We are thrilled to welcome her to the NCIS family and look forward to revealing more about her character this season.”

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If past experience counts, this latest cast change should work just fine. Even after the loss of such favorites as Cote de Pablo’s Ziva and Michael Weatherly’s Tony, the military crime show has stayed close to the top of the ratings.

The final two episodes of last season, the first ones without Perrette, pulled in a very healthy 12.7 and 12.1 million viewers. So Reasonover — who tweeted “I’m thrilled to be joining the #NCIS team!” — should have a good first day on the job.