NEW YORK — The NCIS universe is expanding to the Big Apple. CBS has officially ordered ‘NCIS: New York’ to series for the 2026-2027 broadcast season, marking a major homecoming for one of the franchise’s most legendary characters.
As confirmed on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, the new drama will star LL Cool J, reprising his role as fan-favorite Special Agent Sam Hanna. Joining him in a co-leading role is Scott Caan, known for his decade-long run on Hawaii Five-0.
A Homecoming for Sam Hanna
Following the conclusion of NCIS: Los Angeles and a special guest arc on NCIS: Hawai’i, Sam Hanna is heading back to his roots. The series logline reveals that Hanna returns to his native New York City to join the local field office.
There, he will partner with a “roguish” special agent played by Caan. Together, they will lead a new elite team tasked with high-stakes missions to defend New York’s vital ports and infrastructure—a premise that promises more explosive, city-wide action than the flagship’s usual forensic-heavy cases.
The ‘Five-0’ Connection
The casting of Scott Caan has sparked immediate excitement among fans of the “Greater NCIS Universe.”
- The Reunion: Caan and LL Cool J previously shared the screen during a 2012 crossover event between Hawaii Five-0 and NCIS: LA.
- A New Face: While fans remember Caan as Detective Danny “Danno” Williams, he is reportedly playing a brand-new character in the NCIS lore.
- Behind the Scenes: The show is being helmed by showrunner Byron Balasco (Kingdom), with NCIS: LA veteran R. Scott Gemmill serving as executive producer.
Tuesdays: The Night of NCIS
CBS is doubling down on the franchise by turning Tuesday nights into a dedicated NCIS block starting this fall.
Note: The international spinoff NCIS: Sydney will move to a midseason premiere to accommodate the new New York team.
Where to Catch Sam Hanna Next
For fans who can’t wait until the autumn premiere, LL Cool J is set to bridge the narrative gap with two special guest appearances on the flagship NCIS in the coming weeks. His episodes are scheduled to air on Monday, April 21 and Monday, April 28, 2026.
With the addition of New York, the NCIS brand now encompasses five active series (including the prequel Origins and the streaming-exclusive Tony & Ziva), solidifying its position as the most prolific procedural franchise in television history.
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