Honestly, if you haven’t seen Yasmine Al-Bustami on your screen lately, you’re probably just not looking. Most people know her as the sharp-witted Special Agent Lucy Tara on NCIS: Hawai’i or as Ramah in the massive historical drama The Chosen. But her career didn't just start with a badge or a first-century robe.
She's one of those rare actresses who can bounce between a gritty police procedural and a biblical epic without breaking a sweat. It's kinda wild when you think about it. One minute she’s tackling a suspect on a Hawaiian beach, and the next, she’s delivering a heartbreaking performance in a dusty village in ancient Judea.
The Roles Everyone Knows
Let’s talk about the big ones first. Yasmine Al-Bustami movies and tv shows usually get searched for because of her standout work in NCIS: Hawai’i. As Lucy Tara, she made history as part of the first LGBTQ+ leading romance in the franchise's history. Her chemistry with Tori Anderson (who plays Kate Whistler) became a huge talking point for fans.
Then there’s The Chosen. If you haven't seen her as Ramah, you're missing out on some of the show's most emotional beats.
A quick spoiler for the slow watchers: Ramah’s journey in Season 4 was... heavy. Without giving too much away for those still catching up on their binge-watch, let’s just say her character’s exit from the series was a massive moment that left the "Chosen" fandom in tears.
It was a gutsy move by the writers, and Yasmine handled the weight of that storyline beautifully.
The Deep Cuts: Where She Started
Before the island life and the disciples, Yasmine was putting in the work in some pretty cool niche projects. You might remember her as Monique Deveraux in The Originals. She played a witch, which is a far cry from a federal agent. She also popped up in:
- Nashville (as Delissa Birch)
- Switched at Birth (guest spot)
- S.W.A.T. (as Amina)
- I Ship It (where she played Sasha)
She even did a live interactive sci-fi series called Orbital Redux. It was basically a play performed live on camera, which is terrifying for most actors, but she crushed it as Tommie.
Why She’s Actually a "Relatable" Star
Yasmine isn't your typical Hollywood product. She was born in Abu Dhabi, raised in Texas, and actually has a degree in finance. Yeah, finance. Most actors spent their college years in improv basements, but she was probably looking at spreadsheets before deciding to move to Chicago to study acting.
She often jokes about being "fueled by hummus and brisket," which is about as Texan-Middle Eastern as it gets. That groundedness shows up in her work. She doesn't play "starlet" roles; she plays women who feel like people you actually know.
What’s Next in 2026?
With NCIS: Hawai’i having wrapped up after three seasons, everyone is asking: what's next? Well, she hasn't slowed down. She’s been moving toward more independent projects and streaming limited series.
Reports suggest she’s exploring more film work, specifically in the indie drama space where she can really flex those emotional muscles she showed off in The Chosen. There’s also been buzz about her appearing in a tech-centric limited series for Apple TV+, though she keeps her cards pretty close to her chest.
How to Follow Her Career
If you're trying to track down every appearance, don't just stick to the major streamers. A lot of her early work and short films, like Road to Peshawar or Unimaginable, are floating around on smaller platforms or film festival archives.
Your Actionable Next Steps: Check out I Ship It on CW Seed if you want to see her comedic timing—it’s a totally different vibe from her "Lucy Tara" persona. Also, if you’re a fan of her voice work, keep an ear out for The Chosen Adventures, an animated spinoff where she continues to bring her unique energy to that world.
The best way to support her right now is to keep streaming NCIS: Hawai’i on Paramount+; high viewership numbers for canceled shows often lead to reunions or spin-offs in the "NCIS-verse," and we all know the fans aren't ready to say goodbye to "Kacy" just yet.
