The NCIS universe has undergone notable changes recently, particularly with the cancellation of NCIS: Hawai’i, continuing a trend that has become evident in the franchise’s evolution. What began with the 1990s legal procedural JAG led to the debut of NCIS in 2003, which then spawned its first spinoff, NCIS: Los Angeles, in 2009. Over the years, the franchise has introduced several other series, though not all have remained in production.
One recurring pattern within the NCIS franchise is the tendency to cancel a spinoff the same year a new one is announced. The recent cancellation of NCIS: Hawai’i alongside the launch of NCIS: Tony & Ziva and NCIS: Origins exemplifies this approach. This strategy reflects the franchise’s ongoing effort to refresh its lineup with new and diverse programming, aligning with broader shifts in storytelling within the television industry.
