LL Cool J is not done with the NCIS universe just because Sam Hanna has a new home. The actor and rapper said he wants his character to pop up across the franchise’s other shows, opening the door for crossovers that fans have been asking about for years.
The 58-year-old star shared his thoughts during the NCIS: New York panel at New York Comic Con 2026 on October 11, just five days after the spinoff’s premiere on CBS. ScreenRant’s Jordan Williams was in the room when Cool J made it clear that he is open to taking Sam Hanna to any NCIS series that will have him.
What LL Cool J Said About More NCIS Appearances
During the panel, Cool J expressed interest in appearing on all the franchise’s shows. He did not name any specific series, and no crossover plans were locked in at the event, but the actor’s enthusiasm left little doubt about his willingness to keep Sam Hanna moving through the NCIS world.
Cool J has already proven he can move between shows with ease. He first played the former Navy SEAL in 2009 during a two-part backdoor pilot on the original NCIS. That story arc launched NCIS: Los Angeles, where he starred alongside Chris O’Donnell for 14 seasons and more than 300 episodes before the show ended in May 2023.
Sam Hanna’s story did not stop there. The character appeared in NCIS: Hawai’i in both 2023 and 2024, becoming a recurring guest star in the show’s third and final season. Cool J also returned to the flagship NCIS series multiple times, including a two-episode arc in April 2026.
Why Crossovers Make Sense for Sam Hanna
Sam Hanna is one of the few NCIS characters who has worked alongside several different teams. He has teamed up with Gibbs’ crew in Washington, D.C., the Los Angeles office, and the Hawai’i team. That history makes it easy to write him into other shows without the story feeling forced.
Brian Dietzen, who plays Dr. Jimmy Palmer on the original NCIS, already appeared in the NCIS: New York premiere. His appearance connected the new New York team to the flagship series right away, showing that the franchise is not afraid to mix its characters.
Byron Balasco, the showrunner and executive producer of NCIS: New York, said the franchise operates like one big family. He told TV Insider that familiar faces from other NCIS shows could show up on the spinoff in the future.
A New Chapter in New York City
NCIS: New York premiered on October 6, 2026, on CBS. The series follows Sam Hanna as he returns to his hometown to investigate the death of his longtime friend, Navy reservist Jack Halloway. Sam believes Jack was murdered, not a suicide, and his search for answers pulls him into the New York NCIS field office.
Scott Caan stars as Nick Schaeffer, a fellow New York native who becomes Sam’s partner. Jennifer Beals plays Assistant Special Agent in Charge Robyn Wells. The supporting cast includes Jacqueline Byers as Addy Ross, Shane Harper as Wyatt Sellers, and Devin Druid as Sean Sullivan.
The premiere ended with Nick convincing Sam to stay in New York, at least for now. Sam agrees to join the team, telling Nick, “All right, let’s see how it goes”.
“There’s no guarantee he’ll stay,” Cool J told TV Insider after the premiere. He added that Sam’s future with the team is still “TBD”.
What LL Cool J Says About Bringing Sam Home
Cool J grew up in New York, and bringing Sam Hanna back to the city felt personal. At the NCIS: New York premiere at the Intrepid Museum on October 1, the actor called the experience a full-circle moment.
“I mean, it’s incredible. It’s like Joseph Campbell. It’s like the hero’s journey or something. I return home to teach, you know what I mean? In a good way,” Cool J told PEOPLE. “It’s new. It’s fresh. It’s a full circle moment, you know? It shows you that anything is possible. And it also reminds you, never forget where you came from”.
The actor also said New York itself plays a huge role in the show. “New York is like a main character in the show,” he said. “I mean, you know, you have myself, Scott [Caan], Jennifer [Beals], and the rest of the team, but New York is the star, baby”.
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How the NCIS Cast Sees LL Cool J
Cast members from the flagship NCIS series have shared their thoughts on working with Cool J. Brian Dietzen called him an “assassin” on set, praising how professional and focused he is. “He comes and he’s an assassin. He just comes and gets the job done,” Dietzen said. Diona Reasonover, who plays Kasie Hines, agreed, saying, “Assassin! That’s so accurate”.
Dietzen also said Cool J’s famous nickname fits him perfectly. “The cool part of his name, that comes from a place of reality. He’s a cool dude,” he said.
NCIS: New York Release and Streaming Details
NCIS: New York airs new episodes every Tuesday at 9:00 PM ET and 6:00 PM PT on CBS. Viewers in the United States can stream episodes the next day on Paramount+. For audiences in the UK, Canada, Australia, and India, the show is available through Paramount+ in most regions, with local broadcast partners carrying the series in select markets.
The series marks the seventh NCIS spinoff and the first new addition to the franchise since NCIS: Hawai’i ended in 2024.
Also Read: NCIS New York Star LL Cool J Teases Emotional Sam Hanna Comeback: Personal Case Brings Him Home
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