Should a ‘NCIS’ Spinoff Set in Hawaii Be Introduced as a Backdoor Pilot?

Meredith Jacobs
14 Comments
Mark Harmon Scott Bakula NCIS New Orleans Gibbs Pride Crescent City
Skip Bolen/CBS

The world of NCIS — which began with JAG (1995-2005) — is making some big changes.

While NCIS: New Orleans will end with Season 7, CBS is considering another series in the procedural franchise, NCIS: Hawaii. This time around, though, characters might not be introduced as a backdoor pilot on another show, according to Deadline.

In the past, JAG‘s Season 8 episodes “Ice Queen” and “Meltdown” included guest spots from Mark Harmon (Leroy Jethro Gibbs), Michael Weatherly (Tony DiNozzo), David McCallum (Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard), and Pauley Perrette (Abby Sciuto), all of whom went on to star on NCIS.

Los Angeles‘ Chris O’Donnell (Callen), LL Cool J (Sam Hanna), Daniela Ruah (Kensi Blye), Peter Cambor (Nate Getz), and Barrett Foa (Eric Beale) appeared in NCIS Season 6’s two-parter “Legend.” And we first met New Orleans‘ Scott Bakula (Dwayne Pride), Lucas Black (Christopher Lasalle), Zoe McLellan (Meredith Brody), and CCH Pounder (Dr. Loretta Wade) in NCIS Season 11’s two-parter “Crescent City.”

NCIS: LA was used to introduce the potential Red spinoff in Season 4, with guest stars John Corbett (Roy Haines), Kim Raver (Paris Summerskill), Scott Grimes (Dave Flynn), Edwin Hodge (Kai Ashe), Gillian Alexy (Claire Keats), and Kenneth Mitchell (Danny Gallagher) as the mobile team. That was never ordered to series, though Grimes’ Flynn has appeared on LA on his own to help out the team since.

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Is a backdoor pilot necessary, especially in a franchise as successful as NCIS and when something like production and scheduling could be a factor right now due to the pandemic? Probably not. Sure, this potential series would be set on the island, but by now, viewers know what to expect from one of these shows. There is something unique about each — for example, you know you’ll get plenty of explosions on NCIS: Los Angeles — but they’re all still procedurals and Hawaii would have a home-base, unlike Red, the premise of which would have made it a bit different. Have Director Vance (Rocky Carroll) from NCIS video in early on and that could be enough to connect the series to the rest of the franchise.

But that doesn’t mean there can’t be some type of crossover at some point in the season. After all, this potential NCIS: Hawaii would be joining a universe that includes the currently-airing Magnum P.I. (which also takes place on the island) and MacGyver and already-over Hawaii Five-0.

Chris O'Donnell Mark Harmon NCIS Legend Los Angeles Callen Gibbs

(Cliff Lipson/CBS)

Of course, NCIS: Hawaii has to be ordered to series first, which has not happened yet. But with the success of NCIS (currently in its 18th season), Los Angeles (in its 12th), and New Orleans (in its seventh), it isn’t surprising this is even just a possibility.

NCISNCIS: Hawai'iNCIS: Los AngelesNCIS: New Orleans



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  1. G

    GoldWheel

    Don't cancel NCIS NOLA.Just put it back to original time and day.Take off stupid programs.

    9

  2. R

    RedSeahorse

    I watch NCIS ( Mark Harmon's group) over and over again, from episode 1 to 17, I never get tired of them, but I know nothing last forever, at least I still have reruns! Thanks Ncis for the best entertainment!!!

    5

  3. O

    OlivePaw

    Do not betray us by canceling New Orleans

    4

  4. P

    PurpleTeepee

    I've always liked the NCIS group and NO is my favorite. But, that said, it's time Gibbs retired. Mark is starting to look old and maybe Rocky should get a promotion and Gibbs can oversee all the agents. PLEASE DONT CANCEL NCIS NO!!

    5 1

  5. P

    PurpleGlasses

    I adore both NCIS LA, and more so, NCIS NO. As the later is the newest, why is it ending? PLEASE CONTINUE NCIS NO!!!

    3

  6. G

    GoldGlasses

    I love NCISNO.....they are all great

    2

  7. G

    GreenSushi

    Just how many versions of NCIS does CBS need? Or is this also a case of they have facilities in Hawaii so they might as well leverage them?

    1

    1. R

      RedCarrot

      Apparently CBS heard you can cancelled NCIS:NO. Actually not a big surprise with NCIS:Hawaii and CSI:Vegas looking likely to premiere next season.

      1

  8. G

    GoldRing

    I like all the NCIS shows.NCIS LA is running on fumes. Without Hetty the show has gone off the rails. I just hope in the future that CBS doesn't go the way of the other Channels and start going cheap with crumby realities. 😝😝😝

  9. O

    OliveLocomotive

    I love NCIS NO!!! And No Mark Hamon doesn't need to retire!!

  10. O

    OrangeStrawberry

    I think theyve lost there minds to even consider canceling ncis new orleans its one of the best shows on tv. But yes i would keep them and still add a ncis hawaii we can not have to many ncis lol if i got rid of one it would be los angeles. We sure dont need another reality show or comedy!!!

    2 3

    1. O

      OrangeFish

      CBS lost it's mind last year when they pulled the plug on H50 after only days before promoting the addition of a new character.......blindsided everyone. Now they have a big gap not getting filled by less successful MPI. Many fans still mad about the disrespect. Canceling NOLA......more of the same!

      1

  11. T

    TUF

    Sure. Why not?

    1

  12. J

    Jena

    Oh good heavens, do we really need another NCIS? As HudsonFerris says, CBS has crew and facilities out there because of H50 and Magnum, so I guess they're thinking why not try to create even more shows that can crossover with each other. But personally, I'm struggling to maintain interest in the versions of the show that already exist. (If they wouldn't turn them into soap operas, it would be a LOT easier.)

    3 6