‘NCIS: New Orleans’ Season 3 Cast & Spoilers: Why Zoe McLellan Leaves The Series? Can Wilmer Valderrama Fill Tony Dinozzo’s Shoes?

Some of the familiar faces from the previous seasons of "NCIS: New Orleans" will no longer be seen when the show returns this September, including Zoe McLella and Tony Dinozzo. But why is Special Agent Meredith "Merri" Brody not returning? Meanwhile, Wilmer Valderrama talked about replacing the space left by Tony Dinozzo.

Zoe McLellan Exits 'NCIS: New Orleans'

Zoe McLellan, one of the original cast members, is not coming back for "NCIS: New Orleans" Season 3. According to TVLine, cutting out the character of Special Agent Meredith "Merri" Brody is a creative decision. In the finale of the second season, it can be recalled that Agent Brody has been compromised as she was associated with a Homeland Security agent, which tarnished her record. Consequently, it affects Agent Pride's team, and the newly promoted series regular Vanessa Ferlito, who plays as an FBI Special Agent, will come to check on that.

Willmer Valderrama Is Not Replacing Tony Dinozzo

Tony Dinozzo's character, Michael Weatherly, left in the last season's finale. But CBS has added new faces in "NCIS: New Orleans" Season 3, including Wilmer Valderrama. With that, speculations came out that Valderrama's role would be exactly similar to what Dinozzo had left. As reported by International Business Times, Valderrama told the audience at Comic Con 2016 that there is no truth to that rumor. "[Weatherly] had a fantastic journey with the show. The truth is there's no shoes to fill, I'm definitely wearing my own," he said.

Valderrama has promised that he would bring a different dynamic to "NCIS: New Orleans." Wilmer's character is described as a "once-grounded NCIS field agent who accepted a deep cover assignment years ago and never resurfaced. Many agents don't know he's still on the job or that he's even alive. Now, he's back and his dedication to his job and his country have left him an unpredictable, charismatic loose cannon."

"NCIS: New Orleans" Season 3 is scheduled to premiere on Tuesday, Sept. 20, on CBS.