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'NCIS' season 14 news and updates: Wilmer Valderrama on board as series regular, show moves forward even without veteran Michael Weatherly

Sheanne Aguila June 19, 2016 07:47 AM EST

Wilmer Valderrama during an event in Sydney, Australia. | Wikimedia Commons/Eva Renaldi

CBS' top-rating police procedural drama "NCIS" will soon return for its landmark season 14 with a familiar face joining the team. Wilmer Valderrama recently hopped on board as one of the show's series regulars. The yet-to-be-named character's description from CBS reads:

"Valderrama's character will emerge from a years-long deep cover assignment, with many of his NCIS colleagues unaware that he's still working thereâ€”or even alive! Once known as a grounded field agent, his dedication to job and country have left him an unpredictable, charismatic loose cannon."

Executive producer Gary Glasberg released a press statement in line with the show's newest addition, saying: "Wilmer Valderrama will be able to flex his dramatic, physical and comedic talents in this classic NCIS role. Fans are going to see him like they've never seen him before. This is going to be fun. We're thrilled he's coming aboard."

Valderrama steps in to fill the spot left by "NCIS" veteran Michael Weatherly who has been in the show since it first aired back in 2003. Weatherly said goodbye after the season 13 finale, but it surely won't be his last appearance in the show. Tony DiNozzo's portrayer previously mentioned that he would be more than willing to re-appear as a guest star despite leaving the show as a series regular.

Moving forward, Glasberg hints more new characters to be in the series, but the tone will still be the same. Aside from original cast member Mark Harmon, the whole family remains intact following Weatherly's departure. "We're actually excited as writers to have some new perspectives, to have some new characters come in, to be able to switch it up and change things 14 seasons into a television show. It's fun for us. And to know that the foundation doesn't change but the opportunities continue to grow and are limitless, that's fun for us," he explained.

"NCIS" season 4 is expected to premiere sometime in the Fall on CBS.

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