7 ‘NCIS’ Shows, Ranked
In 1995, JAG premiered, airing on NBC for one season, then CBS for nine more. During its run, it launched a spinoff that would go on to become one of the most popular shows in the world, itself spawning more than a handful other series following agents investigating crimes involving the Navy and Marines.
NCIS originally aired as a two-part backdoor pilot on JAG, introducing Gibbs (Mark Harmon), Tony (Michael Weatherly), Ducky (David McCallum), and Abby (Pauley Perrette) to audiences. Since then, Harmon has exited but Gibbs’ story continues to be told in the prequel, Origins, starring Austin Stowell as the ’90s version, Weatherly has gone on to co-lead a new spinoff, Tony & Ziva, with Cote de Pablo, versions have popped up in Los Angeles, New Orleans, and Hawai’i, and it’s even gone international, first with Sydney.
Below, we rank the NCIS shows (so far?). Let us know your ranking in the comments section.
NCIS: Sydney
Even though the first international version of the franchise is still a solid series, and we enjoy seeing how Mackey (Olivia Swann) and DeShawn (Sean Sagar) from NCIS and JD (Todd Lasance), Evie (Tuuli Narkle), Doc Roy (William McInnes), and Blue (Mavournee Hazel) from ATF learn to work together and the various partnerships, this does feel a bit like the most detached from the franchise, if only due to location.
NCIS: Tony & Ziva
Listen, we absolutely love to see Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo back as Tony and Ziva and especially to see these characters finally together after their time on the mothership only teased it. But we only have one season to go on, and so as much as we love the show, it’s hard to rank it above the others. (That’s why we would’ve loved to have seen a Season 2.) That first season proves that the serialized storytelling and the focus on Tony and Ziva’s relationship and how well they work together make for must-see TV.
NCIS: Origins
Honestly, if you’d told us back during Harmon’s days as Gibbs on NCIS that we’d one day get a show with him narrating his early days at NIS as his version spends his time in Alaska and writes in his journal, we probably wouldn’t have believed you. Gibbs opening up? Really? Well, he does, and it’s been great to not just get to know Stowell’s younger version but the ’90s version of Franks (Kyle Schmid) as well — and to dive into the mystery of the story of her, Lala (Mariel Molino), whom Gibbs never talked about until now. Give us a couple more seasons, and we can easily see this moving up the list.
NCIS: New Orleans
Let the good times roll. Scott Bakula makes an impression as Pride from the moment he’s introduced on NCIS and we learn how much Gibbs trusts him, and such remained true for his own spinoff’s entire run. It not only features the usual cases we’d expect, but it also utilizes the city of New Orleans, both for the atmosphere, the investigations, and the personal stories. Add in some music, and it’s a show we would’ve loved to have seen more of.
NCIS: Hawai’i
Oh, what could have been. This is the first series in the franchise with a female lead (Vanessa Lachey as Jane Tennant) and it has LGBTQ+ representation with a couple we root for from the beginning in Lucy (Yasmine Al-Bustami) and Kate (Tori Anderson). Add in the gorgeous setting, the ways in which the Hawai’i team easily mesh with the agents from the mothership in the crossovers, and a special guest spot from LL Cool J in what ends up being its final season, and it’s one we’ll be missing for a while.
NCIS: Los Angeles
Easily the most explosive show, this one sees its agents going undercover the most often. It also has top-notch banter from Callen (Chris O’Donnell) and Sam (LL Cool J), a relationship between Kensi (Daniela Ruah) and Deeks (Eric Christian Olsen) that grows and matures and doesn’t look back to their days of calling what they have a “thing” once they get married, Hetty (Linda Hunt) — enough said — and a unique base and interrogation and interview location.
NCIS
While itself a spinoff, this is the one that starts it all, in 2003, and they’ve never looked back. Over now 23 seasons (and it’s showing no signs of slowing down), the agents and cases at the center of this series continue to be appointment viewing. This show knows how to do stand-alone, cases-of-the-week, as well as multi-episode arcs well. The cast has changed quite a few times over the years — Sean Murray and Brian Dietzen are the only ones left from Season 1, and they were recurring back then — but the heart of it remains the same. And it’s shown more than once that it can still surprise its fans.
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Guest
Original NCIS & NCIS LA (loved Callen & Sam) were the best. Lord knows I have tried to connect with Origins. It’s just not there.
12
Tabico2
NCIS, 2. New Orleans; big mistake that this was canceled- setting alone made it worth watching, 3. Origins, 4. Los Angeles. Didn't care for Hawaii or Sydney; didn't even like the actors. Haven't watched Tony and Ziva. The more spin offs are created, the more the quality goes down.
10
Think 1959
I'm sorry ( I know I am going to catch crap for this) I did not connect with the Hawii characters at all. I watched every episode and still have trouble remembering their names. So for me it should be down farther on the list.
10
Guest
1 NCIS. 2 NCIS LA 3 NCIS ORIGINS. Not bothered about the others.
9
Rule 91
Now THIS is a good list. Every ranking is 100% spot on.
6
trudiewatson1
NCIS NEW ORLEANS, NCIS SYDNEY(I'M IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA) NCIS HAWAII AND NCIS IN THAT ORDER. DIDN'T BOTHER WITH NCIS ORIGINS , NCIS LOS ANGELES WAS GOOD TOO BUT DIDN'T WATCH AS MANY AS THOSE.
5
Doglover
NCIS Origins, NCIS, NCIS Los Angeles, NCIS New Orleans, couldn’t watch the others beyond the first 5 min.
4
CatMom
NCIS Origins is the best in my opinion. I still watch the original but it's been on the skids until this last episode in December -- YAY BISHOP! Never watched the others much.
4
Nelsonvicki85
Bring Gibbs.back the show needs him ncis needs him bring Tony and seaver David back and then you have family a good family
3
Blee
I agree with the placements. Please bring back NCIS Hawaii
2
Guest
Hawaii well placed at the podium. I still miss it very much
2
Jersey Girl
You are not only in the minority but totally out of your mind! Go back to JAG and the introduction of the Gibbs character!
There is only one “Boss” and his name is Gibbs. My only comment to the writers and to Exec Producer Mark Harmon is
Gibbs needed to come back for Ducky’s funeral. No Excuses! Meanwhile, can’t wait for Bishop’s return, hopefully for more than a couple of episodes.
1
NCIS fan
1.NCIS 2. NCIS:Los Angeles 3.NCIS:Hawaii 4. NCIS:New Orleans 5. Tossup between NCIS:Origins and Sydney, neither are as good as the previous ones that were canceled. I always loved Tony & Ziva on the original NCIS show. I watched all of the episodes of the new show Tony & Ziva. While I love seeing Tony & Ziva again, the episodes were short and harder to get into. Maybe it would have been easier if it picked up with Ziva reuniting with Tony after being on the run for years. More episodes or a second season?
1
Jean
All of the NCIS series have been good in their own way, IMO. I know I’m going to be in a definite minority but I actually prefer the mothership with Gary Cole instead of Mark Harmon.
1
Bijoun98
Love the current NCIS with the best crew. NCIS Syney is refreshing. Don’t care for Mr. Harmon and Origins is Boring 😴.
1
Steelergal
NCIS IT’S STILL MY FAVORITE. I DON’T LIKE ORIGINS AT ALL CAN’T GET INTO IT. NOT REAL THRILLED WITH SYDNEY EITHER. LOS ANGELES WAS MY SECOND FAVORITE.
1
DannyB
l miss Hawaii, Sydney is a trainreck. Tony and Ziva was trash. Oh, and I've been watching since JAG so I don't need a lecture.
1
lorriefiel
I liked Hawaii but the 2 lesbians never had any chemistry with each other. I thought Tammi Gregorio on New Orleans had much better relationships. I loved New Orleans because of Scott Bakula too.
robynjackson
NCIS New Orleans ranks higher than NCIS Hawaii hands down!
Grumpylady
1. NCIS, 2. New Orleans, 3 Tony & Ziva (it was good but it didn't get renewed), 4 Origins (I really wish this one was about Frank he is a has a better personality) I watch this program for Frank I really don't like the actor playing Gibbs 5.Los Angeles . 6 Hawaii 7.Sydney AAs for 5, 6 and 7 I just don't care for any of the actors on those shows.
DG
Well, you got the first two right!
After that...
Origins, (love this one!)
T&Z, (needed a 2nd season!)
New Orleans, (really good)
then Sydney,
and Hawaii
(We really TRIED watching the last two, but couldn't get into one, and really didn't like the other.)
ciscogal54
NCIS:LA and NCIS tied for me. And why Paramont didn’t add NCIS LA to their roster is beyond me. You can see the beginning until the end of the rest of them, but you can’t see NCIS Los Angeles, which is my second favorite. New Orleans was OK couldn’t get into Hawaii origins is OK. Sydney is just so un appealing for me and I have watched every one of NCIS and NCIS Los Angeles. I don’t know how many times. Tony and Ziva was pretty good. I kind of like the new flip on it but they need to do a couple more seasons. NCIS Los Angeles left you hanging where they could bring it back. If all the actors would come back they were just too many unanswered questions for them a lot of unanswered storylines for them. I can’t watch the reruns of NCIS Los Angeles because every place that has them you have to pay for it. But I did like the replacement for Gibbs with Gary Cole. They couldn’t have found a better replacement for him the look the sound sounds identical to him and he’s pulled it off quite nicely. I’m wondering about Bishop coming back because it feels like a comeback with Ziva almost. Same concept different scenario gonna be interesting to see how that plays out. But I would like to see LA come back. Outside of there good job.
jkneedsalife
i agree...miss ncis hawaii and ncis los angeles....i am struggling with ncis sydney and did not watch tony and ziva because i do not stream
Don
The formula of strong leadership being mostly controlled by his boss and a supporting cast that are competent, interesting and likeable merges with strong stories that loosely pops up in newer episodes worked out well for us viewers.
GiGi
I would have put New Orleand above Hawaii. Otherwise, a good list.
Molly
Oddly, I’ve never watched any of the NCIS franchise until Origins which I unabashedly LOVE
raine
I know I'm in the minority but as much as I tried I can't get into Origins. It might be the fact that I am not one of those people that reads the ending of a book and then go backwards.
Vickfer
New Orleans and Los Angeles were great. Love the city of New Orleans and the characters in LA (Hetty). Sydney is growing on me. Wish we had a season 2 of Tony & Ziva. Can’t just choose one
Atena
The best is ncis tony and ziva.
Kenneth H
I’m just burned out with this show, I tried to watch the spinoffs but they just don’t do anything for me. It’s just the same storyline in different locations and characters in my opinion. Having served in the US Navy and having a “ interaction “ with the real NCIS it’s nothing like the show. Their main focus is catching sailors who have gone “ UA” unauthorized absence “ or deserters and the few crimes that actually happen in the Navy. They don’t hunt international criminals or involve themselves in government politics. The first 2 seasons were the best in my opinion and the chemistry between Kate and Tony was outstanding as well as Gibbs with Ducky.