The cancellation of “NCIS: Hawai’i” has stirred controversy, particularly given the show’s strong performance during the 2023-2024 season. As the third spinoff from the renowned “NCIS” franchise to be axed, following “NCIS: Los Angeles” and “NCIS: New Orleans,” the decision to end the Vanessa Lachey-led series after just three seasons has left many fans bewildered and frustrated.
“NCIS: Hawai’i” had begun to establish a solid fan base since its premiere in 2021. The show focused on military and national security crimes, led by Jane Tennant (Vanessa Lachey), introducing a fresh team within the “NCIS” universe. Despite not reaching the popularity of its parent series, “NCIS: Hawai’i” performed well enough to justify its continuation. It even ranked as the 16th most-watched series during the 2023-2024 season, and its finale saw a significant viewership lift, ranking 11th for primetime finales on major broadcast networks.
CBS Entertainment president Amy Reisenbach addressed the cancellation, stating that the network needed to “evaluate the financials and the performance overall.” Filming in Hawaii likely contributed to higher production costs, which may have influenced the decision despite the show’s solid ratings. Reports also indicated that “NCIS: Hawai’i” would have faced a substantial budget cut if it had continued for a fourth season, further complicating financial considerations.
The abrupt ending of “NCIS: Hawai’i” is particularly disappointing for fans as the series concluded on a cliffhanger. The finale set up a new case for Tennant, leaving viewers with unresolved questions. This has led to increased frustration and calls for the network to reverse its decision.
There is precedent for networks reversing their cancellation decisions. For instance, CBS reversed its decision to cancel “SWAT” after public comments from star Shemar Moore, who rallied for the show’s continuation. Similarly, Jason Antoon, who played cyber intelligence analyst Ernie Malik on “NCIS: Hawai’i,” has been vocal about the cancellation on social media, highlighting the show’s strong performance and mocking the decision. His efforts, along with the ongoing support from fans, could spark further discussions and potentially influence CBS to reconsider.
If CBS were to reverse the cancellation, scheduling challenges would need to be addressed. “NCIS” season 22 will retain its original timeslot, and the spinoff’s previous slot will be filled by “NCIS: Origins,” a new series exploring Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ early days in the agency. CBS would need to find a new slot for “NCIS: Hawai’i.” Despite this potential delay, giving the show a proper conclusion would be far better than leaving fans with an unresolved cliffhanger.
Ultimately, the cancellation of “NCIS: Hawai’i” despite its strong performance highlights the complex interplay of financial and strategic considerations that networks must navigate. However, the strong fan response and vocal cast members may still influence CBS to give “NCIS: Hawai’i” another chance to properly conclude its story.
