Sports

NCIS’s New Series Is Poised For Success Thanks To CBS’s Difficult Decision

NCIS’s New Series Is Poised For Success Thanks To CBS’s Difficult Decision

Ana Dumaraog is a Writer and Editor at Screen Rant, where she expertly covers Network TV offerings, among other things

She has spearheaded the effort to make the site an authority on broadcast shows, initially starting with The Big Bang Theory franchise, NCIS, and One Chicago before taking on the specialization in general.

Ana has also covered a wide-spread of topics in the past — from franchises like, the MCU and Star Wars, to classic TV favorites, such as Frasier and MASH.

Ana brings clarity and enthusiasm to every story she tackles—whether reporting on new releases or offering deep dives into fan-favorite franchises. Her coverage translates complex entertainment developments into engaging, audience-focused content.

A brand new NCIS show is coming, and despite initial skepticism, a new update from CBS now sets it up for success. The network's premier procedural has been on the air since 2003, and yet, it has maintained its popularity over the years. Not only is it a hit on linear broadcasting, it's also a favorite on streaming platforms. After the 2025-2026 TV cycle, all eyes are on CBS's revamped Super Tuesday block, as it debuts NCIS: New York — a new spinoff starring LL Cool J's Sam Hanna and Scott Caan's Nick Schaeffer.

Specific plot details about the upcoming series are still scant at this point. That said, after years of bouncing from one NCIS show to another, Sam is finally getting a new official team again after the end of NCIS: Los Angeles. This time, he's bound East, as he comes home to New York. Admittedly, there have been questions about the reasoning behind the new offshoot, especially since it will be located along the Northeast Corridor like Washington DC, where the flagship takes place. Regardless of the criticisms towards NCIS: New York, CBS is making sure that it is poised to be as successful as possible.

Despite being set in Navy Yard, the main NCIS series is actually filmed in California. While the exterior shots are from Washington DC, the rest of the scenes are shot inside a studio, while they have had to find backdrops in the area to double as its supposed location. NCIS: New York, however, is being filmed in New York, as seen in the official update from the series, which also included the confirmation of Caan's character. This means that exterior scenes will have the genuine Big Apple vibe and feel, which will help the series differentiate itself from its predecessors.

Considering the success of the flagship, there might be some arguments that the filming location wouldn't really matter, as long as the story is great. That may be true for the original project, but the burden to justify its existence is on the new expansion projects, and location is a big asset for NCIS: New York. CBS agreeing to spend money for its on-location shoot instead is very important, as it's a well-known fact that the network and the industry as a whole is going through major budget cuts, resulting in cast rotations and even cancellations.

As one of, if not the most recognizable cities in the world, New York is a favorite narrative location for many network shows. Law & Order and Law & Order: SVU have lived in the city throughout their almost 30 years on broadcast. Meanwhile, CBS has FBI and CIA using it for the same reason. Previously, Blue Bloods did the same for 15 seasons. If used properly, New York almost becomes an additional main character for these shows — something that NCIS: New York can tap into. The fact that Sam is a native New Yorker adds importance to the setting. His return will definitely be a vital part of this new chapter.

NCIS season 24 is facing a major crisis but an unexpected historic decision from CBS offers MCRT the perfect way out of the dangerous situation.

For what it's worth, there's still a possibility that NCIS: New York will end up moving its production to the studios in California, joining NCIS and NCIS: Origins. Hopefully, that isn't the case, as filming in the city will add a unique feel and energy to the show. If it ever does that, however, at the very least, CBS made sure that it has the best chance to succeed by giving it the resources to establish the series in this new environment.

Enjoy ScreenRant's primetime coverage? Click below to sign up for my weekly Network TV newsletter (make sure to check "Network TV" in your preferences) and get the inside scoop from actors and showrunners on your favorite series.