Shane Harper on His Role in NCIS: New York

When Shane Harper put on a plaid shirt, rolled up his sleeves, and adjusted his belt buckle for the camera test of NCIS: New York, he quickly understood the essence of Special Agent Wyatt Sellers.

Wyatt, originally from Alaska, arrives in New York after a breakup with his fiancée. Harper described this aspect of his character as bringing a “built-in dynamic of loss” to Wyatt’s life. It’s something he’s “trying to bounce back from” in this new NCIS spin-off, he shared during his recent visit to our studio.

“You really get a clear picture of who he is from the get-go,” he noted, adding that it emphasizes how he feels out of place in the big city.

Another key element of Wyatt’s character is his nickname, “Milkman,” given by his colleague Nick Schaeffer, played by Scott Caan. Curious about the backstory? Well, in the pilot, Nick tells Sam Hanna, portrayed by LL Cool J, that Wyatt once drank “20 ounces of whole milk in a glass” during a team dinner. Harper mentioned that he did have to drink a lot of milk during filming, though a particular scene didn’t make the final cut.

“We filmed this extra scene that had to be cut, which is a good sign, I think—lots of great stuff in there. But in that scene, after taking down the bad guys, I poured a massive glass of milk and chugged it. I ended up drinking four or five glasses for it! I guess I really committed to my craft,” he laughed.

Curious about potential chemistry between Wyatt and Special Agent Addy Ross, played by Jacqueline Byers? Harper spoke about their “natural” synergy and also touched on the “iconic” diss track from Good Luck Charlie, where he played Spencer Walsh. You can find their full conversation below.

DECIDER: When we first meet Wyatt Sellers, he’s in the process of trying to return an engagement ring.

SHANE HARPER: Yeah, and it’s not going great [laughs].

And it’s revealed that his fiancée left him. What did you think about Wyatt’s backstory when you got the role? Will we learn more about his past relationship?

I appreciate that there’s this intrinsic sense of loss he’s grappling with, which helps define him as a character. He’s trying to find his footing after moving from Alaska to New York, which, let’s be honest, is quite a leap! Ten months is hardly enough time to really settle in. When they put me in that plaid shirt and belt buckle, it clicked. I thought, “Okay, I know who this guy is now.” The clothes played a significant role in shaping my portrayal.

So wearing that outfit helped you get into character?

Absolutely! The rolled-up sleeves and the belt buckle made it so easy to feel like I embodied someone from Alaska.

Wyatt’s nickname comes from his milk-drinking habit while dining out. Is this something you relate to? Did you have to drink any milk while shooting?

Yes! I was a huge milk fan as a kid, though I’ve sort of grown out of it. During filming, yes, I had to drink milk for that cut scene. We filmed extra footage, and I handed a big glass of milk—chugged it all. I think it’s pretty funny that I had to drink so much, like four or five glasses of it! But hey, I’m dedicated to my role.

Good to hear you’re not lactose intolerant!

No, thankfully not. I hadn’t drank that much milk in ages, though, and I was a bit concerned. The props team asked me what type of milk to use—regular, almond, oat, you name it. But it had to be whole milk for the scene. So, I went with the classic choice, and it turned out fine.

In NCIS: New York, Wyatt partners closely with Addy Ross, and Episode 2 dives into some online dating politics. Could there be a romantic spark between them? Tell me about working with Jacqueline.

I’m definitely wondering where that relationship might go! Jackie and I both have our theories about it, and I think it’ll lead to some interesting dynamics for the audience. They’re quite different, but sometimes opposites do attract, you know? Working with Jackie has been wonderful. We first met during our chemistry test, which was really fun, and since then, we’ve developed a great rapport. She’s been in New York for almost a decade, so her experience combines with my character’s newness in a way that feels authentic.

Wyatt inadvertently strikes a nerve mentioning Addy’s father, who she describes as a “felon.” Will we explore this relationship more?

Definitely—there’s more to uncover about that dynamic, especially regarding her father. It greatly influences Addy’s character and her background. We’re starting to delve deeper into these backstories as the season progresses, which I think audiences will really enjoy.

Wyatt’s new to New York, and the series films there. What’s your favorite location to shoot, and how’s the experience been?

In the pilot, we filmed a scene in Central Park, which was a highlight. I couldn’t believe it—“We’re filming in Central Park? This is incredible!” New York offers such a variety of cultural vibes. Every place feels distinct, which is fantastic for filming.

With NCIS: New York featuring LL Cool J and Scott Caan, what can fans expect from this dynamic duo?

They’re both fantastic. It’s intimidating as the new person, but they’ve been nothing but welcoming, especially LL, or Todd as we call him. He’s incredibly supportive and encourages everyone on set, which adds to the atmosphere. The chemistry between all of us is real, and you can feel it from day one.

I totally agree after watching the first two episodes.

Right? It’s undeniable. They have this special chemistry, and it makes the buddy-cop dynamic feel solid while remaining relatable.

Brian Dietzen reprised his role in the first episode as Jimmy Palmer. Can we expect more crossovers with the NCIS franchise?

Yes, definitely! Our showrunner always says, “Anything can happen.” There are so many characters within the NCIS universe, and it’s fun to collaborate—and we’ll likely see more of that.

What about Jennifer Beals as Assistant Special Agent in Charge Robyn Wells?

She’s amazing. Her presence is powerful—it’s clear when she enters a room. She’s a fantastic scene partner who brings a lot of creative ideas to the table, especially as she has to deliver complicated dialogue about cases. It’s impressive to watch her work, and I learn a lot from observing her approach.

Another team member, Sean Sullivan, has an intriguing backstory tied to his past. Will we discover more about him as the series unfolds?

For sure! We’re starting to dig into his past, especially as we reach the midpoint of the season. His character is really entertaining—he was one of my favorites to watch in the pilot, and Devin Druid is very creative with his role.

Being a procedural, how is it tackling new cases each episode?

It can be pretty challenging, honestly. Each episode has a fresh case, and we wrap them up in about eight days. You need to keep track of multiple twists and turns, which requires fully reading the scripts. Our writing team does a fantastic job creating engaging cases that always come back to Navy themes—it’s interesting how that connects the narratives.

Lastly, what are you currently watching? Any recent shows or movies that have caught your interest?

Okay, I must admit, I’m a bit late to the party, but I’m slowly watching Game of Thrones—halfway through Season 5! I know, I know. And I really enjoy MobLand as well, especially anything with Tom Hardy.

By the way, I grew up watching Good Luck Charlie.

Yes, I hear that a lot!

Your character, Spencer Walsh, has one of the best diss tracks ever about him.

Right? I get it that saying it’s “iconic” is a bit cringy, but it is! People still mention it. It’s amazing how catchy it became.

Does it still come up for you?

Oh, all the time. It’s funny to see how shows like that leave a mark. Recently, a girl at a coffee shop mentioned she sings that song all the time. It’s heartwarming to hear, honestly. I never expected to have such an enduring impact when I was part of that show.

This interview has been edited for clarity.

New episodes of NCIS: New York premiere Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS, with episodes available for streaming the next day on Paramount+.