CBS has announced the cancellation of NCIS: Hawai’i, the fourth series in the NCIS franchise, after three seasons. The news came as a surprise to fans and those involved with the show, with cast and creators sharing their reactions on social media.
NCIS: Hawai’i premiered on September 20, 2021 and concluded its third season on May 6, 2024. The series starred Vanessa Lachey as Special Agent in Charge Jane Tennant, the first female lead in the NCIS franchise and the first woman of colour to hold this role. Lachey expressed her initial reaction to the news on Instagram, stating, “Gutted, confused, blindsided… Grateful, confident, beloved fans!”
The series boasted a diverse cast, including Yasmine Al-Bustami, who played Lucy Tara, the junior field agent and the first LGBTQ agent in the franchise’s history. Lucy’s relationship with Tori Anderson’s character, FBI agent Kate Whistler, formed a popular ‘ship’ dubbed “Kacy,” which received meaningful screentime in the second season. Anderson shared her thoughts on the cancellation, stating, “Having a really hard time processing this one… My heart breaks for you as well. This is a huge loss for representation.”
The cast also included Alex Tarrant, Noah Mills, Jason Antoon, Kian Talan, Ronda Kahana Williams, and Moses Goods, among others.
NCIS: Hawai’i centred on a fictional team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service based in Hawai’i. The team, led by Jane Tennant, investigated crimes related to the military and national security. The series was created by Christopher Silber, Jan Nash, and Matt Bosack, who also served as writers and executive producers.
The series featured crossover events with other NCIS franchise shows, including a joint promo with NCIS and a two-part story guest-starring former Hawaii Five-0 star Beulah Koale. Additionally, NCIS stars Wilmer Valderrama and Katrina Law appeared as their NCIS characters in a crossover event.
The decision to cancel the series may have been influenced by various factors, including scheduling conflicts, cost management, and uncertainty at Paramount Global, the parent company undergoing a sales process. With three other NCIS series slated for the next season, including NCIS: Sydney, NCIS: Origins, and a Tony and Ziva spinoff, CBS had a crowded schedule.
NCIS: Hawai’i utilised the production facilities built for the series Hawaii Five-0, which concluded in 2020. The series also incorporated traditional Hawaiian blessings and featured locations like Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam.
