Lights, Camera, NCIS: Action in Sydney | Television tonight

Stand on a Sydney street at the right time and you may witness guns, chases, helicopters and explosions.

But relax, it’s just another day on location NCIS: Sydney.

Now in its third season, the 10/Paramount+ drama tries to cash in on the screen with big toys and bad guys, all for the NCIS arrest team.

Still, according to Olivia Swann, who plays a former Marine Corps captain, her turn has come NCIS Special Agent Mackey, the locals have never been much affected by it until now.

“We are very good at ensuring that there are registrations,” she says Television tonight. “We have contact persons, weapons masters, people who ensure that the public is very aware that filming is taking place. We do get spectators. They see cameras and watch.

“But luckily we’re pretty good at keeping all those elements under control, you know, the weapons, explosions, car chases and all that stuff, away from the public, so no one panics.

“I think a guy yelled ‘Action’ or ‘Cut’ as he drove by in his car. That’s about it.”

Against a backdrop of adrenaline-pumping cases, S3 finds the team tested like never before, including an alien abduction, a nanotechnology killer, a cold case on a true crime podcast, a trip to Antarctica, a reckless treasure hunt and more.

“The theme of this season is that the past will come back to haunt you, so a lot of our characters are dealing with their past actions getting to them. Especially for Mackey, we get to delve into her a little more and know who she is and what she’s been through. It’s really compelling and exciting because it just raises the stakes for everyone knowing that our team may not be as safe as we would like them to be.”

This season there is even talk of an international conspiracy with links to Mackey himself.

“The threats are coming from everywhere and I think this shows that they can be all kinds of villains, even on your own territory,” she continues.

“The more intriguing stories are actually the ones that are a little closer to home and are even integrated within the team itself.”

Once again she finds herself side by side with AFP Sergeant JD, played by Todd Lasance, who wants to put an end to his lone wolf days. Is there romance in the air?

“Mackey and JD, I think, have a beautiful, complex relationship as they build their trust and build their bond, and we see that really tested at the end of season two,” Swann explains.

“In season three, it’s a little bit raw, it’s a little bit awkward. Two colleagues going through life and death situations, it’s virtually impossible for them to ignore any kind of chemistry or any kind of excitement. I think maybe they’re both aware of something, but I think maybe they’re trying to fool each other by not dealing with it or not dealing with it head-on. That helps create a really exciting dynamic for both of them.”

Is there a risk of a power imbalance in the workplace?

“You don’t want to delve into all those things, do you? I don’t want HR to get involved,” she laughs.

Returning this season are Sean Sagar as NCIS Special Agent, DeShawn Jackson; Tuuli Narkle
as AFP Liaison Officer, Constable Evie Cooper; Mavournee Hazel as AFP forensic scientist,
Bluebird ‘Blue’ Gleeson and William McInnes as AFP forensic pathologist, Dr. Roy Penrose.

“The Australian guests we’ve had this season are insane. We’ve had Stephen Peacocke and Lincoln Lewis – which is really great for Todd to have a little reunion of Home and away to dawn. We had Simone Kessell from Yellowjackets.

“I feel like we’re working our way through Australian actors very quickly.”

“In S3 we start to build a backstory for Mackey, allowing us to see her vulnerability and the cracks in her armor in a way we’ve never seen before. She’s still the stoic, strong-willed, confident leader we know and love, but we get to delve more into what makes her tick and how she responds to past trauma and events. It’s really beautiful to have that side to her.”

And as the show continues to run for CBS in the US, Swann is optimistic about more action on the horizon.

“I would love to do as much of this as possible. It’s just the best show, the best cast, the best crew, the best place to film. I just have so much fun doing it. It really is a dream job. It’s action, it’s drama, it’s hard, it’s fun. I get to do stunts. I get to run around. It’s really a dream. I’d like to do this for as long as possible.”

Swann has been under strict instructions not to reveal how many episodes will be in this third season.

“That’s a very good question. I can’t confirm it,” she emphasizes.

“It’s an American thing. I’m so sorry.”

Paramount+ will also not confirm the rumors that a fourth season has been filmed back-to-back.

“Funnily enough, I can neither confirm nor deny myself.”

NCIS: Sydney is now available on Tuesdays on Paramount+.