“NCIS: New York Debuts on CBS with LL Cool J and Scott Caan”
Filmogaz.com reports that LL Cool J will headline a new NCIS: New York series on CBS. The network unveiled the entry while revealing its 2026-27 fall schedule.
LL Cool J Returns as Sam Hanna
The actor will reprise Special Agent Sam Hanna. Hanna is written as a former Navy SEAL who returns to New York City.
LL Cool J played the role on NCIS: Los Angeles for 323 episodes from 2009 to 2023. He also appeared in four episodes of NCIS and 12 episodes of NCIS: Hawai’i, which was canceled in 2024.
Casting and Creative Rationale
Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment, called LL Cool J part of the network family. Executives said New York’s port and Navy presence fit the series concept.
Partnership with Scott Caan
Scott Caan will co-star as a roguish special agent. The pairing aims to create a fresh dynamic for the new series.
Scheduling and Network Strategy
The new NCIS: New York series will air Tuesdays at 9 ET/PT. CBS plans a full NCIS night that same evening.
- 8 ET/PT — the flagship NCIS, fresh from its 500th episode.
- 9 ET/PT — NCIS: New York with LL Cool J and Scott Caan.
- 10 ET/PT — NCIS: Origins during the fall season.
NCIS: Sydney will join the lineup midseason on Tuesdays at 10 ET/PT.
Lead-In Appearances
To prepare audiences, LL Cool J will guest star in two NCIS episodes. Those episodes are scheduled for April 21 and April 28.
Other Fall Highlights on CBS
CBS also announced Cupertino, a new legal drama. Mike Colter and Rachel Keller lead the series, created by Robert and Michelle King, airing Thursdays at 10 ET/PT.
A vampire comedy titled Eternally Yours will debut Thursdays at 8:30 ET/PT. The show follows a long-married vampire couple and their undead family.
Marshals Performance
Luke Grimes’ Marshals will remain on Sundays at 8 ET/PT this fall. The series premiered on March 1 earlier this year.
Marshals was the season’s second most-watched premiere. It drew 26.5 million viewers across CBS and Paramount+ over 28 days.
Only the final season of Stranger Things had higher 28-day viewing, with 30.6 million viewers.
