NCIS: Hawai’i’s cancellation by CBS drew a candid response from its showrunners, Jan Nash, Christopher Silber, and Matt Bosack. The latest U.S.-based spinoff in the NCIS franchise featured Vanessa Lachey as Jane Tennant, leading her team in solving crimes involving the military and national security in Hawaii. Despite its popularity since its 2021 debut, CBS’s decision to cancel the show left both fans and the cast and crew stunned.
In an interview with TVLine, Nash, Silber, and Bosack expressed their surprise over the cancellation, acknowledging that while the decision was painful, they understood it wasn’t personal. Their full statement is below.
**Controversy Surrounding NCIS: Hawai’i’s Cancellation**
The cancellation of NCIS: Hawai’i in the spring sparked significant backlash, surpassing the reactions to other CBS cancellations like *So Help Me Todd* and *CSI: Las Vegas*. Fans quickly took to social media to express their displeasure and even launched an official petition urging CBS to reconsider. However, CBS has consistently defended its decision, citing programming changes and cost-cutting measures.
The controversy is fueled by several factors. Firstly, the show was replaced by a new spinoff, *NCIS: Origins*, set in the 1990s. Secondly, NCIS: Hawai’i was performing well, ranking as the 16th most-watched series during the 2023-2024 season. Lastly, the show’s third season ended on a cliffhanger, leaving the storyline unresolved.
While the showrunners seem to have come to terms with the show’s abrupt end, they did not disclose if they had any private discussions about the cancellation or if they are currently working on new projects. Despite moving on, it’s understandable why the show’s cancellation still resonates with them, particularly given the passionate fan movement pushing for its revival.