The writing team behind NCIS: Hawai’i recently addressed the show’s unexpected cancellation and shared insights on what was planned for the unproduced fourth season. In an interview with TVLine, Jan Nash, Christopher Silber, and Matt Bosack expressed their surprise at the abrupt end, noting, “If we’d known it was coming, we probably wouldn’t have ended the series on a cliffhanger.” They also mentioned that the studio and network likely did not anticipate the cancellation either.
The trio reflected on the pride they felt in creating a show with a strong female lead and a diverse cast that represented the Hawaiian setting and the broader world. They acknowledged the unpredictable nature of the TV industry, saying, “The TV business is a fickle mistress, and one can’t take business decisions personally.”
NCIS: Hawai’i, which debuted in 2021 as a spinoff of NCIS, featured Vanessa Lachey as Special Agent in Charge Jane Tennant. The show was notable for being the first in the NCIS franchise with a female lead. Despite its devoted fanbase, CBS announced in April that the show would not be renewed for a fourth season, with the series finale airing a month later.
The showrunners had plans for future storylines, including exploring more about Tennant’s mother and Ernie’s ex-wife. They also hinted at potential developments in the relationship between characters Lucy (Yasmine Al-Bustami) and Kate (Tori Anderson), though they had not finalized details. There were also intentions to introduce Jesse’s (Noah Mills) wife and child, which had been discussed every season.
While expressing gratitude to the fans, the team acknowledged the pain of the show’s end but appreciated the opportunity to create a “worldwide ohana” with their audience. Despite fans’ hopes for the show’s return, CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach confirmed that the cancellation decision would not be reversed, citing the need to keep the network’s schedule fresh and financially viable.
