Why Shannon Gibbs from NCIS Looks So Familiar
They say that behind every great man is a great woman, and that’s certainly true for Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs from NCIS. His first wife, Shannon Gibbs, portrayed by Darby Stanchfield, may not be as familiar to viewers since she only appears in flashbacks on the show. But if you’ve been watching TV for the past 20 years, there’s a good chance you’ve seen Stanchfield elsewhere.
Stanchfield has an impressive resume filled with must-see TV shows. She made her television debut on an episode of Angel, the spin-off of the popular supernatural drama Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She also had a small role on the hit series 24, playing Mandy’s ill-fated neighbor Shari. Throughout the early 2000s, she appeared on shows like That ’80s Show, Monk, It’s All Relative, Strong Medicine, Without a Trace, and Nip/Tuck.
Before landing her role on NCIS, Stanchfield had a recurring role on the post-apocalyptic action-drama Jericho. She played April Green, a doctor in the fictional town of Jericho, Kansas. She also had appearances on General Hospital and the iconic drama series Mad Men, where she portrayed the scandalous divorcee Helen Bishop. Stanchfield also made one-off appearances on shows like Bones, Private Practice, The Mentalist, Ghost Whisperer, and How I Met Your Mother.
After joining the cast of NCIS, Stanchfield continued to explore the crime genre with roles on CSI: NY and CSI: Miami. You may also recognize her as Richard Castle’s first ex-wife from the crime-meets-comedy series Castle.
In 2012, Stanchfield landed her first major recurring role on the political thriller series Scandal. She played Abby Whelan, the outspoken former Press Secretary and Chief of Staff at the White House and a loyal friend and colleague to Olivia Pope, portrayed by Kerry Washington. Stanchfield even created and directed a promotional web series for Scandal.
If you’re into supernatural demons, you may know Stanchfield from her most recent role as Nina Locke on Netflix’s adaptation of Locke & Key. Stanchfield plays the mother of three children who uncover supernatural keys in their father’s childhood home. The series, which combines fun and horror, hints at a potential second season.
Overall, Stanchfield’s long-running career in television shows no signs of slowing down. So, even if you may not recognize Shannon Gibbs from NCIS, you’ll definitely recognize the talented actress behind the character.
