NCIS: New York’s LL Cool J Teases New Stories and Possible Franchise Crossovers

LL Cool J is returning to the NCIS Universe as Special Agent Sam Hanna in NCIS: New York, the franchise’s newest series.

CBS will premiere the spin-off on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. Hanna returns to his home city to investigate the suspicious death of Jack Halloway, a Navy reservist and friend whose passing raises new questions.

Hanna works with fellow NCIS agent Nick Schaeffer (Scott Caan) under Assistant Special Agent-In-Charge Robyn Wells (Jennifer Beals). The recurring cast also includes Jacqueline Byers, Shane Harper, and Devin Druid.

LL Cool J is an executive producer alongside showrunner Byron Balasco. The Pitt’s Scott Gemmill also helped Balasco develop the series; he previously served as showrunner and executive producer on NCIS: Los Angeles.

“New York is totally different; it’s a lot grittier, it’s more character-driven. New York is the main character and the star. Sam hasn’t been in New York in many, many years. So he has to get re-acclimated to that,” LL Cool J told Deadline in an exclusive interview. “Plus, he’s a man looking for redemption in many ways because of different things that he’s been through over the course of his career in law enforcement. It’s pretty special and a great contribution to the NCIS Universe in general.”

The series is the eighth installment in the NCIS Universe and the franchise’s fifth active series. The original NCIS debuted in 2003 with Mark Harmon leading the cast and is now preparing for its 24th season after wrapping the 23rd earlier this year. NCIS: Los Angeles, New Orleans, and Hawaii have concluded, while Sydney, Origins, and Tony & Ziva remain active.

With multiple series on the air, crossover episodes offer plenty of opportunities. Asked about the possibility, LL Cool J said: “There might be. I’ll put it to you like this: I welcome crossovers. I think crossovers are great, and they’re fun.”

His openness extends to former NCIS: Los Angeles co-stars Chris O’Donnell and Eric Christian-Olson. Showrunner Byron Balasco told Deadline, “All things are possible. We’re still in the beginning of our journey here.”

The wider franchise also gives producers a broad pool of familiar faces, including Gary Cole (NCIS), Wilmer Valderrama (NCIS), Scott Bakula (New Orleans), Cote de Pablo and Michael Weatherly (Tony & Ziva), and others.

NCIS returns to CBS on October 6 with the 24th-season premiere at 8 p.m. ET. NCIS: Origins follows with its third-season premiere, and NCIS: New York rounds out the night at 10 p.m. ET.

Release DateOctober 6, 2026

DirectorsEagle Egilsson, Adam Davidson

Cast

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  Scott Caan

  Nick Schaeffer

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  Jennifer Beals

  Robyn Wells

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  Jacqueline Byers

  Addison Ross

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