‘JAG’ Ended 15 Years Ago: Where Are the Stars Now?
NCIS continues to reign as CBS’ top drama, and NCIS: Los Angeles and NCIS: New Orleans aren’t far behind. But the smash-hit franchise wouldn’t exist without JAG, which premiered in 1995, and eventually spun off NCIS in 2003.
Created by Donald P. Bellisario, JAG followed the uniformed lawyers of the U.S. Navy’s Judge Advocate General office, particularly the characters fans know and love as Harmon “Harm” Rabb, Jr. (David James Elliott) and Sarah “Mac” MacKenzie (Catherine Bell).
The first season aired on NBC, and after the Peacock Network canceled the show the following spring, CBS came to JAG’s rescue and aired nine more seasons.
JAG’s series finale aired 15 years ago—on April 29, 2005—and many of the show’s cast members have since taken exciting new roles and returned to the JAG/NCIS universe. Scroll down for career updates on JAG’s seven series regulars.
David James Elliott (Harmon “Harm” Rabb, Jr.)
In the years since JAG ended, Elliott starred in the dramedy GCB and recurred on the mystery Secrets and Lies, both from ABC, appeared on YouTube’s Impulse, and reprised his JAG role alongside Catherine Bell on NCIS: Los Angeles. He currently stars in the Netflix skating drama Spinning Out.
Tracey Needham (Meg Austin)
Needham, who co-headlined JAG with Elliot for most of the first season as Lieutenant Junior Grade Austin, apparently retired from showbiz in 2010, one her last roles being a two-episode stint on Veronica Mars.
Catherine Bell (Sarah “Mac” Mackenzie)
Bell, Elliott’s co-headliner from Season 2 onward, moved on to starring roles in Lifetime’s Army Wives and Hallmark’s Good Witch franchise. After joining Elliot in NCIS: Los Angeles’ Season 11 premiere, she also reprised her JAG role in LA’s April 25 season finale.
Patrick Labyorteaux (Budrick “Bud” Roberts, Jr.)
Labyorteaux broke into Hollywood two decades before playing well-liked Lieutenant Roberts on JAG with a role on Little House on the Prairie. Hehas spent recent years guest-starring on FX’s American Crime Story and ABC’s Castle and Scandal. He has also reprised his role as Bud Roberts in three episodes of NCIS so far.
John M. Jackson (Albert Jethro “A.J.” Chegwidden)
Jackson brought back Rear Admiral A.J. Chegwidden for six episodes of NCIS: Los Angeles between 2017 and 2018. He also shared the big screen with Chris Evans and Octavia Spencer in the 2017 drama Gifted.
Scott Lawrence (Sturgis Turner)
Lawrence, who played Harm’s former Naval Academy classmate has appeared in the films Avatar, Star Trek Into Darkness, and Danny Collins; starred on Audience Network’s Mr. Mercedes; guest-starred on Netflix’s Unbelievable and Carol’s Second Act on CBS; and voiced the one and only Darth Vader in 17 video games, including the 2019 hit Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.
Zoe McLellan (Jennifer Coates)
Unlike other JAG alums who showed up on the various NCIS series, McLellan did not reprise her role as Petty Officer Coates when she appeared on NCIS: New Orleans. On the show’s first and second seasons, McLellan played Special Agent Meredith Brody. She also starred as Kendra Daynes in the second season of Designated Survivor.
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G
Jag was the best show ever and should be continued in 2020 along with NCIS. David James Elliott and Mark Harmon appeal to all generations despite wihat Bellisario said.
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G
Bring back JAG!!!.... It was the best!
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R
I still love Jag and wish that they would bring it back...it was loved by Australians everywhere which is why so many of us watch the reruns without fail regardless of how many times we've seen them.
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G
I love JAG. We watch three reruns every day. I wish they would bring back this show. It is a wonderful show.
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C
Wish if Heddy leaves NCIS-LA that Harm &/or MAC would replace her & the the Admiral would visit more often😊
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P
What about Harriet and Timer? They were on many episodes
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O
What about Harriet
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O
Agree what about harriet
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G
It's interesting that with the end of JAG, Mac was a Lt. Col. and Harm was a Commander. Fifteen years later they appeared on NCIS: LA, with the same rank.
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B
What about the gunny sergeant? He was in numerous episodes!!
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W
Catherine Bell has had, by far, the best career, at least measured by amount and quality of work, of any of the cast. I thought DJE would breakout into movies. His wife is the actress who played Lauren Singer on the show. I had no idea Zoe McClellan was on NCIS as someone other than Coates. Interesting stuff. I hope there can be a reboot or renewal of the show.
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O
I still watch Jag every day reruns!Still didn’t find where it continued on NCIS!!!!
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G
Me to .who cares if they are older .So are all of us,
Good stories ,good actors .does the old brain matter working.
“Boo to reality shows”
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G
Harm was a Captain!
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R
I agree with you
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C
What happened to the daughter
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G
I have all the DVDs of JAG (10 seasons) and have watched them over and over. At least half a dozen times each. There is no other show like it. Please bring back JAG.
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B
When jag ended Mac was a full Bird Col. What happened to make her a Lt. Col.?
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O
I'm pretty sure Mac was a LCOL, but Harm was a CAPT when JAG ended.
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O
I adore Jag and continue to watch all the episodes.. whenever I can..
David James Elliot and Catherine Bell are adorable .. it is my very favourite
Of all time..
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R
Loved the show and all the actors,have the complete CD collection
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G
I can’t either
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G
Hear hear love it even repeats who care if they are older bring it back
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C
I think it's been to long since this show has aired any where and it needs to come back we need to see how the coin has fallen and how there lives have all turned out I grew up as a kid watching this show with my dad and since I was a young teen have been needing to know who gave up there career and what has there lives beheld for them and miss watching them please bring them back even if it just starts with the episodes on Netflix or Disney+
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O
Both got promoted in series finale.
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C
I own the complete Jag series. It is one of the best series
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R
I am a huge fan of JAG. Like wise watch the replays every day. Also have all DVD''s.
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B
JAG was and still is my favorite series. Being a navy man myself, i can relate to 90% of the content. I love MACK. Wish it would come back. If not, i do own the entire set on blue ray. Go Navy!!
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O
Is on channel 10 bold
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G
“ Yeah” yeah ! Yeah !
Go along with that But who is listens
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O
They should remake Jag with original actors.
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B
“Gunny,” Victor Galendiz came back on NCIS.
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O
eat me