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LL Cool J Returns in New NCIS: New York Series

4/18/2026

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Summary

Story summary

CBS announced NCIS: New York, featuring James Todd Smith (LL Cool J) reprising NCIS Agent Sam Hanna alongside Scott Caan, created by R. Scott Gemmill.
The project advanced five months from initial discussions to greenlight.
The show will use crossovers with existing NCIS series to boost ratings.
Smith is excited to return to his hometown of New York, where he will partner with Caan on high-stakes missions.

History

Historical Context

Launched in 2003 as a spin-off from JAG, NCIS quickly became a cultural staple, attracting over 20 million viewers weekly. The franchise has since expanded to include multiple spin-offs, such as NCIS: Los Angeles in 2009, showcasing CBS's strategy to adapt to evolving audience preferences and solidify its position in the competitive television landscape.

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Story summary

CBS announced NCIS: New York, featuring James Todd Smith (LL Cool J) reprising NCIS Agent Sam Hanna alongside Scott Caan, created by R. Scott Gemmill.
The project advanced five months from initial discussions to greenlight.
The show will use crossovers with existing NCIS series to boost ratings.
Smith is excited to return to his hometown of New York, where he will partner with Caan on high-stakes missions.

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