Pack your bags. NCIS is heading to Hawai'i! This fall, the ever-expanding, constantly-multiplying NCIS franchise will make its way to Pearl Harbor to explore the day-to-day operations of this Navy base. We should expect another steamy series in the always-popular television universe. Details remain slim regarding this addition to CBS's fall line-up, but we know a few key bits of information about this blockbuster NCIS spinoff series, which we'll share with you right now. Here's what we know about NCIS: Hawai'i.
NCIS: Hawai’i Will Premiere Fall 2021 On Monday Nights
This fall, book a flight to Hawai'i. NCIS: Hawai'i is planning to join CBS's fall line-up in a high-profile Monday night slot — which (quite promisingly) showcases the station's early confidence in this spin-off show's predicted success. Certainly, if the upcoming show finds the same audience that tunes in religiously to NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, and NCIS: New Orleans, Hawai'i is destined to become one of the most successful new series of the year's fourth quarter. But it's still very early on. So, you know, no pressure!
NCIS: Hawai’i Is The Fourth Series In The NCIS Franchise
Starting as a two-part backdoor pilot from JAG in 2003, NCIS has since become one of the longest-running television franchises in broadcast history, notably with two popular spin-off shows located in Los Angeles and New Orleans, respectively. Now, NCIS: Hawai'i, the soon-to-be fourth series in the popular TV enterprise, is setting up base near the sunny shores of Hawai'i. Unlike the previous three NCIS shows, Hawai'i won't start with a backdoor pilot within another series, making it a more standalone show. Whether or not that hurts the spin-off's success remains to be seen after it premieres.
The Spin-Off Show Follows The First Female Special Agent In Charge Of NCIS Pearl Harbor
As this article will discuss in more detail later, NCIS: Hawai'i hopes to be a major groundbreaking series for the NCIS franchise. Specifically, by focusing on the first female Special Agent in Charge of NCIS Pearl Harbor, this upcoming new show hopes to be a progressive step forward for the long-running, often male-driven NCIS brand — promising a more diverse and expansive future for the widely-seen television universe.
The Series Will Be Lead By Vanessa Lachey
Over the past few decades, Vanessa Lachey has transitioned her star power into a number of professions — from Miss Teen USA winner to fashion model to television host to TV actress. As a correspondent on Entertainment Tonight and the host of Total Request Live, True Beauty, Wipeout, High School Stories, and several Miss USA contests, Lachey became a constant TV presence, and the model-turned-actress transitioned that screen experience into a blooming acting career; she appeared in 30 Rock, Hawaii Five-0, Psych, CSI: NY, How I Met Your Mother, Dads, and Truth Be Told.
Additionally, on the big screen, Vanessa Lachey played a lead part in Disaster Movie and a supporting role in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. But this is expected to be a big year for the actress. Not only does she play a recurring role in Fox's Call Me Kat, but she'll lead NCIS: Hawai'i, which is unquestionably her biggest acting part yet. Hopefully, Lachey's years of experience serve her well with this latest career transition.
NCIS: Hawai’i Is The First NCIS Show With A Female Lead
With Vanessa Lachey attached to the lead role, NCIS: Hawai'i will serve as a first for the NCIS franchise. Notably, it's the first NCIS show to feature a female lead. Playing the part of Jane Tennant, the first female Special Agent in Charge of NCIS Pearl Harbor, Lachey's hard-working protagonist is a dedicated woman who has risen and thrived through the ranks through her confidence and strategy, notably in a system that has pushed her back nearly every step of the way, according to the show's press release.
From there, NCIS Hawai'i follows Jane Tennant as she attempts to balance duty with family and country, all while investigating high-stakes crimes with her high-tech crew of specialists. With production now underway, as we discuss in more detail below, we should expect some big things to come from this newest addition to the NCIS lineage.
The Other Cast Members Include Yasmine Al-Bustami, Jason Antoon, Noah Mills, And Tori Anderson
Along with Vanessa Lachey, the main cast of CBS's NCIS: Hawai'i includes Yasmine Al-Bustami (The Originals), Jason Antoon (Claws), Noah Mills (The Enemy Within), and Tori Anderson (No Tomorrow). More specifically, Al-Bustami will play Lucy, a junior field agent, Antoon will be seen as Ernie, the cyber intelligence specialist, and Mills is signed on to the role of Jesse, a former homicide detective and Jane's confidant. Additionally, Anderson will play the part of Kate Whistler, an ambitious Defense Intelligence Agency agent, and Kian Talan will be seen as Alex, Jane's eldest child.
NCIS: Hawai'i Will Be Filmed In The Same Studio As Magnum P.I., Which Might Lead To A Crossover
It's not a coincidence that NCIS: Hawai'i shares the same tropical backdrop as Magnum P.I. Certainly, the NCIS franchise is no stranger to crossovers. If things go well for this upcoming spin-off series, it might loop itself into the narrative of CBS's Navy-based remake series — similar to how NCIS: New Orleans crossed over with Hawaii Five-0. Certainly, this NCIS: Hawai'i/Magnum P.I. team-up could be a fun way to bridge the gap between the broadcast station's popular line-up of shows, while also helping both shows find a wider audience in the process. Don't be shocked if the characters connect.
NCIS: Hawai'i Is Now Filming At Mokule'ia Beach
It's official! Cameras are rolling on NCIS: Hawai'i. Starting on June 16th, production officially went underway at Mokule'ia Beach on Oahu for this fourth NCIS series — complete with a traditional Hawai'ian blessing to honor its hosts Hawai'ian culture, as CBS revealed in a social media announcement. Kahu Ramsay Taum was on hand to officiate the ceremony, one that was "centered on the constant motion of the ocean and how the moving ocean waters, driven by the winds and tides, connects the entire planet," in honor of the show's premiere season. It's unclear how long production will last, but filming is expected to continue through the summer — likely through the fall, too.
NCIS: Hawai'i will premiere later this year. Follow CinemaBlend for the latest updates.
