There are a bunch ofNCIScharacters I wish the franchise would return, especially after canceling their spinoff shows. While these characters technically lost their footing in thesharedNCISuniversewhen their spinoffs were canceled, with theNCISfranchise, there’s always a possibility that displaced characters will return. One of the most memorable instances is whenNCIS: Hawai’ireturned LL Cool J’s Sam Hannaafter the franchise canceledNCIS: Los Angelesin 2023. The character got a second wind on the island-based spinoff, reviving a belovedNCIScast member while canonically maintaining the richNCIStapestry.
Now thattheNCISfranchisehas canceled nearly all its location-based spinoff series, the need to return existing spinoff characters is greater than ever. I can sense that the franchise wants to focus on more serialized content based on familiar characters rather than specialized offices. Still, when theNCISfranchise established offices in Los Angeles, New Orleans, and Hawai’i, it introduced memorable characters and successfully endeared its fans to them.The franchise owes its fans the appearances of their favorite characterssince the audience’s endearment totheNCIScharactersis the"secret sauce"of the show’s 21-year record of success.
10Jane Tennant
Vanessa Lachey Played The Agent-In-Charge
Vanessa Lachey’s Jane Tennant is one of the top characters who needs to return to theNCISfranchise. Jane Tennant debuted as the Special Agent-in-Charge inNCIS: Hawai’iin 2021. Lachey’s Tennant broke ground as the first female and Asian American to lead a series within theNCISfranchise. As such,Lachey brought critical representation to theNCISfranchise, which it failed to replace with theNCIS: Originsspinoff that took its place on CBS on Monday nights.
Lachey’s Tennant needs to return to theNCISfranchise because she’s a fan favorite and because ofNCIS: Hawai’i’s frustrating ending.TheNCIS: Hawai’iseason 3 finale ended with a cliffhangerregarding Jane’s old family friend and mentor, Maggie Shaw, who appeared in the final moments of the season 3 finale. That said, Tennant needs to return toNCISto, at the very least, hear what Maggie has to say, but I also think it should bring her back regardless since she was the beloved lead of the Hawai’i series.
This Unfinished NCIS Storyline Makes Hawai’i’s Season 3 Cancelation Even Worse
This unfinished Jane Tennant storyline makes the NCIS: Hawai’i cancelation after season 3 even worse, and it’s a missed opportunity for the franchise.
9Tammy Gregorio
Vanessa Ferlito Played The Former FBI Agent
I firmly believe that Vanessa Ferlito’s Tammy Gregorio must return for several reasons. The former FBI agent joined thecast ofNCIS: New Orleansin season 3, and she brought unique qualities to the series that improved the franchise. One of her exceptional qualities is thatTammy has sniper trainingand memorably served as the team’s sharpshooter inNCIS: New Orleans.Tammy’s excellent marksmanship puts her on par with characters like Leroy Jethro Gibbs, making her a franchise rarity: a female sniper.
Tammy was in a relationship with Assistant U.S. Attorney General Hannah Lee, making her one of the first prominent LGBTQ+ characters in theNCISfranchise.
Tammy also brought important representation to theNCISfranchise. InNCIS: New Orleansseason 3, episode 9, “Overdrive,“the series revealed that Tammy was in a relationship with Assistant U.S. Attorney General Hannah Lee(Meghan Ory), making her one of the first prominent LGBTQ+ characters in theNCISfranchise. It would be awesome to see Gregorio return to the flagship series, where she could continue her relationship with Hannah Lee.
8Sam Hanna
LL Cool J Featured In Los Angeles and Hawai’i
Sam Hanna is a popularNCIScharacter who has returned to the franchise once and could do it again.LL Cool J initially played Hanna onNCIS: Los Angeles,a former Navy SEAL assigned to the Office of Special Projects in Los Angeles. Hanna was perhaps an obvious choice to bring back since he played partner to Chris O’Donnell’s G. Callen for all 14 seasons ofNCIS: Los Angeles.His character was well established as a decorated and capable veteran when he reappeared inNCIS: Hawai’i.
After the cancelation ofNCIS: Los Angelesin 2023,the franchise added LL Cool J to theseason 3 cast ofNCIS: Hawai’i.Sam was sent to Hawai’i to work for the NCIS: Elite team, a focal point of the series finale. I assumeNCISincorporated Hanna into the island-based series to channel viewers from the Los Angeles-based show. However, adding Hanna distracted me from the developingNCIS: Hawai’icharacter dynamic. Hanna would be better suited for a feature on the flagship, and it would be great to see his character interact with the Washington Major Case Response Team (MCRT).
7Ernie Malik
Jason Altoon Made A Hilarious Cyber Specialist
I also refuse to accept that we’ve seen the last of Jason Altoon’s Ernie Malik.Ernie was the cast ofNCIS: Hawai’i’s Cyber Intelligence Specialist, at the helm of all the team’s technical operations, similar to flagship characters Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette) and Kasie Hines (Diona Reasonover). I want to see Ernie return to theNCISuniverse because he’s a truly unique character, filled with quirks and jokes that set him apart from the rest of the characters in the franchise.
Jason Altoon is married toNCIS: Hawai’ico-star Seana Kofoed, who played U.S. Navy Commander and Medical Examiner Carla Chase.
Altoon’s character was memorable while successfully challenging the female technical operator tradition from the flagship series. I want to see him return to the flagship, or better yet, a spinoff series that can once again feature the specialist in a leading role. If the franchise never revives the Hawai’i-based spinoff,NCISshould consider replacing Kasie Hines with Ernie Mailk if Diona Reasonover ever departs the flagship series.
6Lucy Tara
Yasmine Al-Bustami Played A Rookie NCIS Agent
TheNCISfranchise should bring Lucy and Kate back in their own spinoff series.
There are so many reasons why I wishNCISwould bring back Yasmine Al-Bustami’s Lucy Tara. First and foremost,Lucy was a remarkable force for LGBTQ+ representationin theNCISfranchise. Bustami’s character dated FBI Agent Kate Whistler, another regularNCIS: Hawai’icastmember. Unlike other queer storylines in the franchise,NCIScentered on Kate and Lucy’s romance rather than including it as a side note, and their sexuality was uncomplicated and celebrated, making it a rare gem for the franchise.
Lucy and Kate were referred to as"Kacy"by their admiring fans.
NCISshould bring Lucy and Kate back to reincorporate diverse representations of relationships into the franchise. I witnessed Kate and Lucy’s relationship drawing viewers toNCIS,who might not typically feel drawn to the franchise. So far, nothing has replaced the representation that attracted"Kacy"fans. Still, the characters are irreplaceable, so I think theNCISfranchise should bring Lucy and Kate back in their own spinoff series or anNCIS: Hawai’irevival.
5Jesse Boone
Noah Mills Was Hawai’i’s Second-In-Command
Noah Mills' Jesse Boone was a capable agent just getting started in theNCISfranchise, so I think they should bring him back in the flagship series or another spinoff.Jesse hails from the cast ofNCIS: Hawai’ias Jane Tennant’s second-in-command, making him a capable agent wherever he goes next. Jesse, who served as Agent-in-Charge when Tennant was unavailable, was a loving family man with a wife and children, making him another rarity for the franchise, which often prefers to highlight the more complicated family scenarios that life as an NCIS agent reaps.
Jesse could be a natural fit for thecast ofNCIS: Sydney,the franchise’s only remaining location-basedNCISspinoff. Jesse could join the cast similarly to Sam Hanna, who found a new position in a different spinoff. Jesse’sNCISreturn would be most robust if paired with Alex Tarrant’s Kai Holman, but the characters may be complicated to sell as a package deal.
4Kensi Blye
Daniela Ruah Played The Los Angeles Agent
The return of Daniela Ruah’s Kensi Blye is one of the most necessary spinoff character comebacks for theNCISfranchise. From what I can see, fans crave the Office of Special Projects' Special Agent’s return, and I understand why.Kensi was a likable character who we watched fall in loveonNCIS: Los Angeles.Beyond that, Ruah’sNCISreturn just makes sense.
Daniela Ruah returned toNCISbriefly as Kensi Blye in season 21, episode 7, “A Thousand Yards,” the franchise’s 1000th episode.
Ruah directed anepisode ofNCISseason 21, making her one of theNCISactors who expanded their roles beyond acting. Ruah also briefly returned to the franchise as Kensi inNCISseason 21, making a brief appearance via video call. Her recentNCISinvolvement means she has current connections at CBS, removing some potential barriers to stepping back into her role as Kensi.
7 NCIS Stars Who Expanded Their Role In The Franchise Beyond Acting
Many NCIS stars have expanded their role within the franchise beyond acting, taking on writing, directing, and executive producing duties.
3Marty Deeks
Eric Christian Owens Played Kensi’s Husband
Eric Christian Owens' Marty Deeks and his wife, Kensi Blye, were beloved spinoff characters. Deeks was a former LAPD detective who became an NCIS liaison officer for the Office of Special Projects. As Deeks evolved in the series, so did his love for Kensi, and the characters wed inNCIS: Los Angelesseason 10 in one of thebest Kensi and Deeks episodes. If he returns to theNCISfranchise,it would be most satisfying to see Deeks return with Kensiat his side and vice versa.
Watch Kensi and Deeks tie the knot inNCIS: Los Angelesseason 10, episode 17, “Till Death Do Us Part.”
Rather than appearing in the flagship or another spinoff series,the most satisfying return for the characters would be a Kensi and Deeks spinoff series, which could explore the agents' lives together as they navigate their careers and parenthood, following the news that the couple was expecting a baby. The couple could pull their weight in a limited series for Paramount+, following in the footsteps ofNCIS: Tony & Ziva,and I would definitely watch that show.
2Dwayne Cassius Pride
Scott Bakula Played NOLA’s Agent-In-Charge
Seeing Dwayne Cassius “King” Pride return to the NCIS franchise would be fun. The return would be welcome to fans of the franchise sincemany believe that CBS canceledNCIS: New Orleanstoo soon. The NOLA-based series was canceled in 2021, officially becoming the firstNCISseries to end. Bakula was similar to the Special Agent-in-Charge of Washington’s MCRT, Mark Harmon’s Leroy Jethro Gibbs, which means there could still be a place for him in the sharedNCISuniverse.
The best time for Pride’s return would have been whenHarmon exitedNCISin season 19, with King taking over as the leader of the flagship team. Bakula’sNCISseries ended in early 2021, and Harmon exited the franchise later that year. The timeline would have worked out, but the franchise opted not to go in that direction. Still,Pride could take over for Special Agent Alden Parkerif Gary Cole stepped away from theNCISfranchise in the next few years, or he could collaborate with the supervisory agent on a case inNCISseason 22.
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2021-2024
1Henrietta Lange
Linda Hunt Played LA’s Operations Manager
Lastly, it would be a joy to see Linda Hunt return as Henrietta “Hetty” Lange, the Office of Special Projects' operations manager onNCIS: Los Angeles.Hunt left theNCISfranchise before the series ended in 2023, exitingNCIS: Los Angelesin season 13 when Hetty left to embark on a long-term assignment in Syria. Hetty left a special place in my heart, landing her at the top of my wishlist.
It would be awesome to see Hetty return,and the most likely place would be on theNCISflagship.Her long-term assignment in Syria could somehow overlap with a case the Washington MCRT investigates, causing the team to cross paths with the former operations manager. It would be even more satisfying to see Hetty return alongside her former cast members; she could join Kensi and Deeks in anNCISspinoff series about their romance.
NCIS
Cast
NCIS is a television series that follows a team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Premiering in 2003, the show explores various cases involving Navy and Marine Corps personnel, ranging from murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines.
