LL Cool J is back in New York. The rapper and actor returns as Senior Special Agent Sam Hanna in CBS’s new “NCIS” spinoff, “NCIS: New York,” and the first episode puts him back in the city he left behind.
Sam, who has spent years working across the globe, speaking Arabic fluently and specializing in cases in the Middle East, is in Dubai when the season begins. His cellphone keeps ringing with calls from an old friend, a Navy Reservist, and he ignores them until he finally answers — only to find his friend dead on a bench in Central Park.
He is taken in by that’s the setup for the pilot. Sam comes back to the Big Apple to find out what happened, and he ends up staying. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service’s New York office, which sits at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and gains a partner: Nick Schaeffer, played by Scott Caan.
Sam’s Return to the City
Sam first comes to New York for just one case, yet the city ends up pulling him in, as does the team. He gets paired with Nick Schaeffer, an agent with a devil-may-care attitude who shares Sam’s affection for the city, by Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge Robyn Wells, played by Jennifer Beals.
The remaining members of the New York field office complete the team.
- Special Agent Addison “Addy” Ross, played by Jacqueline Byers
- Special Agent Wyatt Sellers, played by Shane Harper
- Sean Sullivan, played by Devin Druid, a young techie who got stuck at NCIS after hacking the police pension fund
The Case That Starts It All
Sam and Nick’s first case runs hot. It includes murder, a love scam, kidnapping and a massive shootout. The show gives viewers only glimmers of the characters’ personalities and backgrounds, but it offers enough detail to suggest how Season 1 might unfold.
The chemistry between LL Cool J’s Sam and Caan’s Nick carries the episode. They work as a buddy-comedy duo rather than a dark, serious pair, which adds levity to the series. There are some corny jokes that mostly play on the two men’s height difference, but the banter is all in good fun and will undoubtedly endear itself to longtime fans of the “NCIS” universe.
New York as a Character
The city itself plays a major role in the story. Sam and the team crisscross town, moving from Brooklyn to Queens and even through the Diamond District in Midtown, tracking down clues and working to solve the mystery surrounding the Navy Reservist’s death.
Nick and Sam’s banter takes a back seat to the bond between Addy and Wyatt, who behave like siblings even as their connection hints at something deeper. Wyatt carries a wounded heart since his engagement came to an abrupt close.
The pilot has now reached reviewers, and it functions well as a fresh continuation of one of CBS’ longest-running franchises. Viewers will naturally want to watch how Sam and Robyn might develop a bond and connection, even as he is still mourning his late wife.
What the Spinoff Adds
“NCIS: New York” doesn’t necessarily elevate the franchise, but it has all the components that have made it a staple of network television for the last two decades. With a beloved character in Sam and some brand-new faces entering the scene, the show is steady, intriguing and likely to go the distance.
The pilot works fine as a new extension of one of CBS’ longest-running franchises. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it doesn’t need to. It simply extends the “NCIS” world into a new city with a new team, and it does that with confidence.
Key Numbers
- Show: “NCIS: New York”
- Network: CBS
- Premiere: Oct. 6
- Episodes: 20
- Day: Tuesdays
- Lead: LL Cool J as Senior Special Agent Sam Hanna
- Partner: Nick Schaeffer, played by Scott Caan
Comparison Table
| “NCIS: New York” | “NCIS: Los Angeles” | |
|---|---|---|
| Lead | Sam Hanna | Gibbs |
| City | New York | Los Angeles |
| Setting | Brooklyn Navy Yard | Los Angeles office |
| Seasons | New series | 14 seasons, wrapped three years ago |
The Bottom Line
“NCIS: New York” is a solid spinoff. It doesn’t break new ground, but it doesn’t need to. It delivers a steady, intriguing extension of a franchise that has run for 14 seasons, and it does so with a beloved lead and a promising new cast.
CBS airs the show starting Oct. 6, with the rest of its episodes rolling out on Tuesdays. The series offers a familiar path for people who already follow the franchise, while also providing a straightforward way for newcomers to get started in the world of NCIS.
Sam Hanna returns to the cockpit, and he’s bringing Nick Schaeffer and the rest of the New York team along for the ride. The transition is seamless.
Source material: “LL Cool J Returns to the Big Apple In CBS’ Solid and Steady ‘NCIS: New York’: TV Review,” Variety.
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