To fans of the TV universe that Donald P. Bellisario created around the U.S. naval legal system, "JAG" and "NCIS: New Orleans" probably both seem very current. "NCIS: New Orleans" is a spinoff of "NCIS," which in turn spun off from "JAG," so this universe hasn't left the air since it started in 1995.

But to Zoe McLellan, who starred on the original series and the most recent spinoff, they're a lifetime apart.

"Honestly, 'JAG' is such a world away from what I'm doing now," she told the "New Orleans Times-Picayune" last year. "I kind of grew up on that show. Now I'm a woman. I was a kid on 'JAG.' Although this is a spinoff of a spinoff, it's just such a completely different character in a different story."

"Kid" may be a bit strong -- McLellan was 27 years old when she joined the cast of "JAG" in its seventh season.

It was, however, her first major role. Her biggest prior one was a supporting gig in the high-profile, but low-earning, film adaptation of "Dungeons & Dragons" (2000).

The producers agree with McLellan that "JAG" and "NCIS: New Orleans" are pretty far apart -- far enough that they could cast her as a totally different character.

That was kind of a risk. The producers are clearly concerned with maintaining the logic of a shared universe between the shows, and the kind of devoted fans that flock to shows like "NCIS" can sometimes take issue with casting the same actor in multiple roles.

For example, "NCIS," "NCIS: New Orleans" and the other spinoff, "NCIS: Los Angeles," are about branches of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service located around the country. They should all, therefore, share the same national director. And they do: Actor Rocky Carroll has appeared in all three as Director Leon Vance.

The risk seems to have paid off, though. Fans have embraced McLellan's new character as well as the show. "NCIS: New Orleans" is one of the biggest freshman hits in years and has already been renewed for a second season.

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