While many TV shows ending in 2024 struggled with ratings, cast departures, and budget issues, NCIS: Hawai’i wasn’t one of them. The island-set spinoff ended not due to a decline in success but simply because there was no room left on the schedule. Although fans know that “never say never” applies in the TV world, the writing was on the wall for Vanessa Lachey, who has now bid farewell to Hawaii with her family.
Most Fall TV shows are already back in production, including the flagship NCIS series. Had CBS not pulled the plug in April 2024, the NCIS: Hawai’i team would likely be filming alongside everyone else. Instead of continuing her role opposite NCIS: L.A. veteran LL Cool J, Lachey shared a heartfelt farewell with her fans.
Lachey’s Instagram post, where she rocks a vibrant, celebratory outfit, reflects her bittersweet departure from Hawaii, where she and her husband, Nick Lachey, lived for the past three years with their children, Camden, Brooklyn, and Phoenix. The couple, who purchased their Hawaiian home in 2021 after Vanessa landed the role, have now listed it for $9.8 million, having originally bought it for $8.8 million. They’ve since moved to a modern farmhouse in Encino, priced at $6.8 million.
Could NCIS: Hawai’i Ever Be Revived?
In her message, Lachey expressed that Hawaii will always hold a special place in her heart, offering fans a glimmer of hope. While CBS has moved on with other projects, including NCIS: Origins and NCIS: Sydney, there’s always a slim chance that execs could reconsider NCIS: Hawai’i in the future. If any current shows start to falter, CBS wouldn’t have to look far to find a series with proven value and a dedicated fanbase. Although an ensemble crime drama set in Hawaii is costlier than a simpler sitcom, the franchise’s value can’t be denied.
For now, fans can only wish Vanessa Lachey and her family a smooth transition away from the Hawaiian islands. Those wanting to relive Jane Tennant’s journey as Special Agent-in-Charge can stream NCIS: Hawai’i in full on Paramount+.