CBS Greenlights 'NCIS' Spin-off With Popular Character Returning to the Franchise

NCIS continues to expand as a franchise. The long-running CBS staple is adding a new spin-off to its canon, titled NCIS: New York. It marks the seventh NCIS series in said franchise. It also sees the return of LL Cool J as the popular character Agent Sam Hanna.

Here's a synopsis per 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."

LL Cool J burst onto the NCIS scene in 2009, debuting in Season 6 of the flagship series on April 28 before starring in NCIS: Los Angeles opposite Chris O'Donnell later that year. The ensemble cast included Medalion Rahimi, Linda Hunt, Daniela Ruah, Eric Christian Olsen, Barrett Foa, and Renée Felice Smith. The show ran for 14 seasons before bowing out on May 22, 2023. LL Cool J went on to headline the short-lived NCIS: Hawai'i with Vanessa Lachey, which was canceled in 2024. He has also recurred in the original series, with his next appearances slated for April 21 and April 28 in the current season.

Byron Balasco will serve as the showrunner of NCIS: New York. R. Scott Gemmill, the creator of The Pitt and the showrunner for NCIS: Los Angeles, will helm the pilot episode. The new series will join NCIS, NCIS: Origins, and NCIS: Sydney in CBS's lineup.

NCIS: New York will air on Tuesday nights this fall at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. The episodes will also be available to stream on Paramount+.