New NCIS spin-off just landed a Star Wars actress

Right, let's have a look at this ever-expanding NCIS universe, because frankly, the thing now feels less like a TV show and more like its own minor empire. If you thought it peaked ages ago, it turns out CBS has plenty more in the tank – they’re rolling out another spin-off, and this time, they’re taking on New York.

What’s the Franchise Situation?

NCIS (you remember, the show that originally popped up out of JAG back in 2003) is ticking over to its 24th season. Alongside it, we’ve still got two other spin-offs – so, at time of writing, there are three NCIS shows about to run at once. We’re talking longevity only Doctor Who and various CSI spin-offs can relate to.

If you’re feeling nostalgic, Michael Weatherly’s heading back for a full season as Tony DiNozzo. That’s not just a guest spot – we’re talking a proper arc, following up after his last appearance with Cote de Pablo in the Tony & Ziva mini-series.

Newest Addition: NCIS Heads to New York

Here’s the headline. For the 2026-27 telly season, CBS is launching ‘NCIS: New York’. And it’s not just any cast they’re dragging out: LL Cool J is back as Sam Hanna. If you watched NCIS: Los Angeles any time between 2009 and 2023 (that’s all 14 seasons), you’ve probably got an opinion about the man, and the way he punches people for national security.

This time round, Hanna’s heading to his old stomping ground in New York and gets paired with Nick Schaeffer – he’s played by Scott Caan, who you’ll probably know from Hawaii Five-O. The premise appears to be: two blunt instruments for the price of one, taking on new threats while trying to keep a handle on the city that never sleeps.

The Team: Who’s Joining In?

• LL Cool J – Sam Hanna, now transferred to the NCIS New York field office
• Scott Caan – Nick Schaeffer, the new(ish) partner, attitude probably included
• Jennifer Beals – Robyn Wells, the Assistant Special Agent in Charge (and effectively, the team’s boss)
• Jacqueline Byers – Special Agent Addison ‘Addy’ Ross
• Shane Harper – Special Agent Wyatt Hill
• Devin Druid – Sean Sullivan, NCIS Tech Specialist

Let’s stick on Jennifer Beals for a minute – if you’re thinking ‘well, that name rings a bell’, it’s because she’s got range: Flashdance, The Book of Eli, and, more recently, a turn in Star Wars: The Book of Boba Fett as Garsa Fwip (yes, that’s the one running the Mos Espa bar before the Pyke Syndicate reduced it to rubble). Here, she’s been cast as Robyn Wells, who’s supervising Hanna and Schaeffer and generally running the NCIS New York office with what CBS describes as serious intuition. She’s, apparently, well respected by her team, which you’d hope – she’s in charge.

Anything Else Worth Knowing?

The network’s keeping plot details for NCIS: New York fairly close to the chest, but Beals’s role will see her working up close with the leading lads. Deadline’s confirmed the show is scheduled to air on CBS starting October – so consider your autumn viewing sorted, if this is your kind of procedural.