The NCIS fandom went into a tailspin when CBS surprise announced NCIS: New York as part of its fall 2026 schedule.
There had been zero word of the project’s existence, although considering LL Cool J’s continued appearances in the NCIS franchise in the years since the conclusion of NCIS: Los Angeles’s demise, we should have probably guessed something was brewing.
Only a few years ago, I theorized that the network would slowly scale back NCIS’s footprint due to rising costs and dwindling viewership.
But things have changed at CBS in the years since, as it has increased its reliance on proven IP instead of marketing new, unproven brands.
It’s not a bad idea, and considering the diminishing returns across the TV industry, we shouldn’t expect it to end any time soon.
That said, I don’t think that NCIS: New York was the best foot forward. I get it, a fresh new show with one of the most recognizable names in the franchise sounds like a great marketing opportunity.
But I can’t help but think CBS missed a trick by not saving NCIS: Tony & Ziva, which was unceremoniously canceled by Paramount+ earlier this year.
The spinoff brought Cote de Pablo and Michael Weatherly together for the first time in years, something fans were very excited about.
Clocking in at 10 episodes, NCIS: Tony & Ziva ditched the procedural format for a season-long arc that delivered a stellar storyline and a whole lot of fun.
NCIS: Origins broke away from the franchise’s procedural norms and succeeded, so it was interesting that NCIS: Tony & Ziva followed that same vein.
NCIS: Tony & Ziva Was Overlooked and Undervalued
The good news is that NCIS: Tony & Ziva got closure, but it did leave an opening to continue, which it absolutely should.
At first, when the show ended, I felt that it was right because it did what it set out to do: It fixed Tony and Ziva’s relationship.
I’m just saying, I don’t get why CBS is prioritizing an entire new show when it never even gave NCIS: Tony & Ziva the courtesy of a broadcast run.
The network can’t hide behind the “that entry was too serialized for our procedural-heavy network” because NCIS: Origins is right there with a Season 3 order.
If the NCIS franchise has taught me anything, it’s that things can change on a dime. Look at how NCIS: Hawai’i was canceled despite having millions of viewers.
The characters have been practically forgotten, but something tells me the same fate won’t await Tony and Ziva.
There may be bad blood between De Pablo, Weatherly, and Paramount+ over the cancellation.
Even if there is, I have a feeling that somewhere down the line, an NCIS: Legends-style series will get off the ground, with many franchise alums joining forces to tackle their biggest threat yet.
Maybe that will make this misfire in canceling NCIS: Tony & Ziva worth it.
As for LL Cool J‘s return as Sam Hanna, I’m not interested. Sorry. Not sorry.
He starred on NCIS: Los Angeles for 14 seasons, moved over to NCIS: Hawai’i, and is now having sporadic appearances on the mothership.
The whole point of bringing a beloved character back is that the audience has an appetite for it. That appetite was already there with NCIS: Tony & Ziva because the titular characters had been off-screen for years.
I don’t doubt that CBS knows what it’s doing, but there were far better options than NCIS: New York.
While I’m disheartened, I will still check out the series because, who knows, maybe it’ll surprise me.
Now, I want to hear from you, TV Fanatics!
What are your thoughts on NCIS: New York getting a pickup and NCIS: Tony & Ziva not getting a fair shot on CBS?
Let’s delve into it in the comments!
It’s like yelling into the void sometimes — so if you’re out there, holler back.
Comments, shares, and good vibes all keep this little ship afloat. Thanks for reading.
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