How ‘NCIS’,’ ‘MacGyver’ & 6 More CBS Shows Surprisingly Share a Universe
It used to be that two shows crossing over was a bit of a rare event, depending on what it entailed. But that’s changed, especially in recent years.
Now, those events — whether across multiple episodes or even networks or on a smaller scale, with one or two characters — happen more and more often. Obviously, all the NCIS shows share a universe, though we have yet to see all three teams work together on a case.
But through smaller crossovers, other procedurals are also connected to that world. Scroll down as we break down all the connections throughout the CBS dramas. (Note: if an actor has only appeared as a different character on another show, we’re not counting it here.)
JAG (1995-2005)
Crossovers: NCIS
It’s the show that started it all. Before David James Elliott and Catherine Bell began recurring on NCIS: LA as Harm and Mac, they starred in JAG, and it was a two-part backdoor pilot during this procedural’s eighth season that fans first met Gibbs, Tony, Ducky, and Abby of NCIS.
Since then, several cast members have appeared on the first NCIS series, some reprising their JAG roles and others as new characters.
NCIS (2003-Present)
Crossovers: JAG, NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: New Orleans
Taking its lead from its introduction on JAG, the flagship NCIS series has featured backdoor pilots for both L.A. and New Orleans, in Seasons 6 and 11, respectively. In addition to major two-part crossovers with New Orleans, Pauley Perrette’s Abby, Michael Weatherly’s Tony, and Rocky Carroll’s Director Vance have all appeared on both spinoffs.
David McCallum’s Ducky, Joe Spano’s Fornell, Diane Neal’s CGIS Agent Borin, and Leslie Hope’s SECNAV Porter have also crossed over to New Orleans.
NCIS: Los Angeles (2009-Present)
Crossovers: NCIS, Hawaii Five-0, Scorpion
OSP was introduced in the backdoor pilot episodes on NCIS, and since then, LA has, for the most part, remained its own entity. There have been a few one-character crossovers here and there — Abby, Tony, and Vance — but that’s it.
However, it’s through L.A. that the universe is connected to the island series. Daniela Ruah’s Kensi flew down to Hawaii to help the Five-0 team and do her own investigation regarding her father’s death. Then, the L.A. team worked with the Five-0 task force in Season 3.
Plus, Linda Hunt’s Hetty crossed over to Scorpion when that team needed some help going undercover.
Hawaii Five-0 (2010-2020)
Crossovers: NCIS: Los Angeles, MacGyver, Magnum P.I.
It may not be NCIS: Hawaii, but the CBS procedural reboot crossed over for a two-parter with LA in its second season. Five-0 also worked with Kensi earlier that season for a one-off episode.
Since the world of CBS reboots has expanded, H50 has teamed up with MacGyver, in that show’s first season, and Magnum P.I., both for a full, two-part crossover, in the final season, and through guest appearances from each series’ characters.
NCIS: New Orleans (2014-Present)
Crossovers: NCIS
Since the two-part NCIS that introduced Scott Bakula’s Pride and his NOLA team, there have been a couple other major crossovers. There have also been the aforementioned appearances from NCIS characters.
Scorpion (2014-2018)
Crossovers: NCIS: Los Angeles
Before going off-air in 2018, this CBS procedural got some much-needed wardrobe help for an undercover assignment from none other than NCIS: LA‘s Hetty.
MacGyver (2016-Present)
Crossovers: Hawaii Five-0
H50‘s Kono (Grace Park) and Chin Ho (Daniel Dae Kim) crossed over in the first season of the other CBS reboot. Plus, since leaving that show, Jorge Garcia has filmed an episode of MacGyver, reuniting him with Lost costar Henry Ian Cusick.
Magnum P.I. (2018-Present)
Crossovers: Hawaii Five-0
Characters have crossed back and forth between the two shows, plus the teams united for a two-part crossover this season. And those mini-crossovers with one or two characters have continued, even after H50‘s series finale.
