The NCIS universe is expanding once again, and this time it's heading to the Big Apple. CBS has officially greenlit a brand-new series, NCIS: New York, set to premiere in Fall 2026. The project marks the triumphant return of LL COOL J to the franchise, reprising his fan-favorite role as Special Agent Sam Hanna.
Back to the Concrete Jungle
In this latest expansion, Sam Hanna returns to his roots in New York City. He'll be partnering with a charismatic and unconventional agent played by Scott Caan, best known for his role in Hawaii Five-0. Together, they will lead a fresh team tackling high-priority cases tied to one of the world's most critical ports and metropolitan hubs. The series promises to blend the procedural expertise of the NCIS brand with the unique energy and stakes of New York.
The network has secured a prime spot for the new show, scheduling it for Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET. This slots it directly between the flagship NCIS at 8 p.m. and the prequel series NCIS: Origins at 10 p.m., creating a powerful three-hour block of naval crime-solving before NCIS: Sydney takes over the later slot mid-season.
Creative Powerhouse Behind the Scenes
NCIS: New York boasts impressive creative credentials. The pilot comes from R. Scott Gemmill, creator of The Pitt and a veteran of the franchise who served as showrunner on NCIS: Los Angeles for seven seasons. Taking the reins as showrunner for the series will be Byron Balasco, the creator of the acclaimed drama Kingdom. This combination ensures the series will have both deep institutional knowledge of the NCIS world and a compelling new perspective.
This announcement casts previous comments about LL COOL J's role in a new light. Last year, after the artist's guest appearance on the main NCIS series, executive producer Steven D. Binder expressed a strong desire to have him back more often, citing scheduling as the main hurdle. Similarly, co-star Diona Reasonover praised his ability to "disrupt the normal flow" of the team in the best way. What seemed like hopeful praise now appears to have been a hint at these much larger plans.
The move underscores CBS's continued commitment to its most valuable franchise, strategically building a night of programming that leverages its strength. For fans of action-packed procedurals, this is welcome news, adding another layer to a universe that already includes shows like Beyond The Night Agent: 4 Spy Series That Master the Craft.
A Franchise That Keeps Growing
LL COOL J's Sam Hanna has been a beloved figure since his introduction on NCIS: Los Angeles, and his occasional appearances since that series ended have kept hope alive for a larger return. This new series confirms that his story is far from over. Partnering him with Scott Caan's "roguish" agent suggests a dynamic, possibly combustible partnership that could become the show's core.
The expansion of the NCIS brand mirrors a trend seen across entertainment, where successful franchises continue to explore new settings and characters. It's a strategy similar to the planned expansion of other major worlds, such as the recently announced Game of Thrones movie 'Aegon's Conquest' heading to theaters. Meanwhile, streaming services are doubling down on their own hit action series, with projects like Extraction 3 confirmed as Netflix's action franchise powerhouse.
With a stellar cast, a proven creative team, and the powerful NCIS brand behind it, NCIS: New York is poised to be one of the most anticipated new shows of 2026. Fans will have to wait a while for the premiere, but the promise of LL COOL J back in action and a whole new city of crimes to solve will make the wait worthwhile.
