NCIS: Sydney’s Olivia Swann hints at some game-changing twists for her character, Special Agent Michelle Mackey, in the show’s all-new second season.
The freshest entry to the NCIS franchise stationed in Australia pairs American agents Mackey and DeShawn Jackson (portrayed by Sean Sagar) alongside Australian Federal Police’s JD Dempsey (Todd Lasance) and Evie Cooper (Tuuli Narkle), facing high-voltage crime-solving missions.
With its return on Paramount+, audiences will witness Mackey, known as one of the most formidable Special Agents-in-Charge, begin to reveal a softer side. Chatting with Express Online, Swann spilled the beans: “So, with season two what I love is that we obviously know Mackey for being so strong and hardcore and she has this outer-shell that you can’t penetrate.
“What I love about season two is, because of the intensity of episode one where we start, we reveal so much more about her. We see more vulnerability. We get to peel back the layers and see what’s underneath the armour.”
Further adding to the excitement, Swann shared: “It makes her an even more compelling character to watch because we get some of the lightness and humour that exists inside of her. I loved being able to bring that out and play that.”
Throughout the first series, viewers witnessed Mackey’s burgeoning friendship with the awkward forensic scientist Blue Gleeson (Mavournee Hazel), despite her rocky partnership with JD. Mackey maintains a tough exterior to lead her team, but Swann hints at a more approachable side emerging: “I mean, the shell is still there,” she admits.
“It will always be there, but that’s what makes those moments where we do see the lightness and the fun that she has – and she has a lot of fun this season – it makes it so much more amazing to see and so much more compelling.
“It feels like such a departure from the Mackey we know, but it’s really cool to make that part of her and we come to love that.”
The show also revealed the heart-wrenching struggles of Roy Penrose (William McInnes) as he grapples with his wife’s dementia. Fans are left wondering if Mackey might face her own personal tragedy this season.
Swann teases potential insights into Mackey’s family life: “Oh always, I always am so ready to learn more about Mackey.
“And potentially we do in season two, we’ll have to find out.”
Swann tantalises fans with hints of upcoming surprises: “There’s many a twist in this season. And it’s actually so cool to be able to say we really swing for the fences. And we take everything up to another level.”
“So, literally, episode one we kind of throw you into the action, into the intensity, and it just ramps up. The finale of season two is truly next level.”
Swann rounded off the interview with an enthusiastic confirmation that she’s keen to come back for a third season – hinting that fans will need to keep watching if they want more edge-of-your-seat adventures with Mackey and her Sydney team.
NCIS: Sydney season 2 continues Fridays on Paramount+.