‘NCIS’ spinoff heads to New York City as a familiar agent returns to where it all began
The ‘NCIS’ universe is not slowing down anytime soon; in fact, it’s getting even bigger. CBS used its latest programming reveal in Los Angeles to drop a surprise that longtime fans probably didn’t see coming. A new spin-off titled ‘NCIS: New York’ is officially on the way. And yes, it comes with a familiar face stepping right back into action. LL Cool J is returning as Agent Sam Hanna, a character who has been part of the franchise for well over a decade. His comeback is one to celebrate, especially for viewers who followed his journey across multiple shows. This new chapter will bring him back to where it all began: his hometown, New York City.
According to the official description shared by CBS, “Legendary NCIS Agent Sam Hanna (LL Cool J) returns to his hometown of New York City to their field office, partnering with a roguish agent (Scott Caan) and helping lead a new team as they are tasked with high-stakes missions to defend one of the most vital cities and ports in the world.” For those who have followed the franchise closely, Hanna’s return carries a bit of history. LL Cool J first stepped into the ‘NCIS’ world back in 2009, appearing during Season 6 of the original ‘NCIS’. That introduction turned into a much larger role when he went on to star in ‘NCIS: Los Angeles’ alongside Chris O'Donnell. The series built a loyal following and stayed on air for 14 seasons before wrapping up in May 2023.
After that series came to an end, LL Cool J didn’t step away from the franchise entirely. He took on a leading role in ‘NCIS: Hawai'i’ alongside Vanessa Lachey. That show, however, had a shorter run and was canceled in 2024. Even so, Hanna remained a character that writers kept bringing back. He has made recurring appearances in the flagship series, and fans are set to see him again in upcoming episodes on April 21 and April 28. Behind the scenes, the new spin-off is being shaped by a team with plenty of experience. Byron Balasco will take on showrunner duties, overseeing the direction of the series. Meanwhile, R. Scott Gemmill, who helped guide ‘NCIS: Los Angeles’ and also created ‘The Pitt’, is set to direct the pilot episode.
Network executives made it clear that the decision to set a series in New York wasn’t random. As per USA Today, during the announcement, CBS Entertainment president Amy Reisenbach pointed out, “LL is like a member of the CBS family. There's a huge port and Navy presence in New York City. It just makes creative sense. We thought there was so much opportunity with this series.” Viewers can catch the series this fall, with episodes airing every Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. For those who prefer streaming, episodes will also be available on Paramount+ shortly after broadcast.
