For a fan of any TV show, it’s always a delight when you get to learn more of a character’s backstory, and meet the fictional characters who shaped them into who they are. In the case of Senior Field Agent Timothy McGee (Sean Murray), it’s, at least in part, his grandmother, Penelope, portrayed by Lily Tomlin (via Cheat Sheet). Tomlin was introduced in a 2011 episode titled “The Penelope Paper.”
“She’s a scientist, she’s very sharp. She was an admiral’s wife for many decades before he died and of course she’s the mother of McGee’s father,” Tomlin said. “‘It’s a really good part. I was very delighted to get it. And it’s a wonderful company. They’re a military family and they’re very science-minded, so they’re not overly emotional.”
Tomlin also wasn’t shy to lavish praise on her “NCIS” co-star, Sean Murray. “We had this opportunity and Sean Murray is so darling. He kills me,” Tomlin continued (via Cheat Sheet). “When I’m doing scenes with him, he’s just so intense and he’s worried. It’s kind of a breakthrough with [McGee]. His grandmother, my character, makes a connection with him and we both come to a new place. And [the ‘NCIS’ team is] a wonderful company.”
Now that it’s been 11 years, and with “Grace and Frankie” set to wrap in summer 2022, perhaps it’s high time Tomlin reprises her role.
