Why ‘NCIS: New York’ Is the Franchise’s Darkest, Edgiest Chapter Yet
NCIS is going dark in its latest franchise expansion.
This fall, LL Cool J returns as agent Sam Hanna in the new spinoff series NCIS: New York. In the show, the NCIS: Los Angeles alum trades Southern California’s sunny skies for the mean streets of the Big Apple. It’s a move prompted by a major tragedy for the character. It’s also a sign that the drama intends to take a somewhat more hard-edged approach to storytelling compared to some other NCIS shows.
‘NCIS’ insider explains that ‘NCIS: New York’ has a different tone
While NCIS: New York will feature a familiar face in a leading role, fans shouldn’t go into the show expecting NCIS: Los Angeles with a different backdrop, an insider said.
“I think it’s going to be a much darker, edgier show,” franchise director Dennis Smith said on a recent episode of the NCIS: Partners and Probies podcast.
“It’s something Scott Gemmill has always wanted to do,” he added, referring to the NCIS: Los Angeles showrunner who is also an executive producer on NCIS: New York. (Gemmill is also creator of HBO Max’s The Pitt.)
Series star LL Cool J agrees that the new series will have its own unique feel.
“We want our stories to reflect the energy of New York, where there’s a lot of pace, it really moves, but it feels grounded and authentic. You can’t walk around New York and not feel like you’re swept up in the bloodstream of it,” LL Cool J told TV Insider. “New York has a vibe and a whole different energy. We wanted this show to present that to the world, and I think we accomplished it.”
A murder brings Sam Hanna back to New York
CBS’s synopsis of the NCIS: New York series premiere offers a hint at he new show’s more somber tone.
“After years of special assignments and covert ops, Special Agent Sam Hanna returns to his hometown of New York City for a brand-new mission,” reads the description. “When Sam’s friend and Navy reservist Jack Halloway is found dead, he requests permission from Assistant Special Agent-In-Charge Robyn Wells (Jennifer Beals) to investigate his friend’s death.”
Wells pairs Sam with Nick Schaeffer (Scott Caan), a “roguish” agent who connects him with the rest of the team, including clean-cut Wyatt Sellers (Shane Harper), bright-eyed Addy Ross (Jacqueline Byers) and hacker-turned-computer guy Sean Sullivan (Devin Druid). Hanna and his new team will have to work together to gather important information that will help them discover who is responsible for Jack’s death.
NCIS: New York premieres Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. Episodes stream on Paramount+ (live and on-demand for Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers, or on-demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs).
For more news and exclusive interviews, follow Showbiz Cheat Sheet’s Instagram.
