Jason Antoon has a strong connection with his NCIS: Hawai’i castmates, especially with co-star Vanessa Lachey, whom he shares a birthday with. They often celebrate their joint birthday with treats and cake on set. Antoon plays tech guru Ernie Malik on the show, and his bond with Vanessa, who portrays Special Agent in Charge Jane Tennant, began at a party where they instantly connected. The entire cast of NCIS: Hawai’i has a great relationship, with a “no asshole” policy set by the showrunners to ensure a positive working environment.
The feeling of ohana, or family, is evident in the NCIS: Hawai’i cast and is one of the reasons why Antoon enjoys playing his character, Ernie. He values the relationships he has with other characters on the show, particularly being a brother and father figure to Lucy Tara and Kate Whistler. This role allows him to delve into their personal lives and support them, making it a rewarding experience for him as an actor. Antoon appreciates the camaraderie within the cast and hopes for more crossover episodes with other NCIS franchises in the future.
Having done a few crossover episodes with the flagship NCIS series, Antoon discovered that the friendships among cast members of different spinoffs are similar. This closeness has inspired him to look forward to potential joint episodes with other franchises if NCIS: Hawai’i gets picked up for a fourth season. He believes that CBS has been supportive of these crossovers, and he compares the experience to the Marvel universe, finding it exciting and intriguing. NCIS: Hawai’i airs on CBS on Monday nights at 10 p.m. ET.
Antoon was initially invited to a party by Vanessa Lachey when they both got their roles on NCIS: Hawai’i. The event was a luau at her house in California, where they bonded over shared interests and had a great time. The actor brought his children to the party and found his connection with Vanessa to be instantaneous, with both of them being Scorpios. He also noted that Vanessa and her husband, Nick Lachey, are known for throwing amazing parties, creating a fun and welcoming atmosphere for their co-stars.
Antoon loves working with the entire cast of NCIS: Hawai’i, as everyone is cool and supportive. He appreciates the positive environment created by the showrunners’ “no asshole” policy, which fosters a sense of teamwork and respect among the cast. The actor enjoys playing the role of Ernie Malik and values the relationships he has built with his co-stars on the show. He finds the experience of being part of the NCIS: Hawai’i family to be fulfilling and rewarding, both personally and professionally.
