“NCIS” has now spanned 22 seasons, but its journey to success wasn’t always smooth sailing.
When the show first premiered in 2003, it only attracted a modest fanbase. It wasn’t until a few seasons in that the show truly began to build momentum. By season three, Cote De Pablo, reflecting on the series’ growth, called it her favorite, noting that the show had found its stride. Actor Michael Weatherly also revealed that while the show wasn’t a major hit at first, they kept it going by believing in its potential, explaining, “We weren’t good enough to get all the attention, but we weren’t bad enough to get canceled.”
The series eventually exploded in popularity, leading to a series of spin-offs, starting with “NCIS: LA,” which ran for 14 seasons. Cast members like LL Cool J, Daniela Ruah, and Linda Hunt helped make it a success. Actor Rocky Carroll noted that the show’s appeal was partly due to its comforting, predictable nature—viewers could count on the good guys winning in the end.
Now, the franchise is expanding even further, with “NCIS: Sydney” returning for season 2 on January 31. However, some fans are not thrilled about the new direction, with many calling for the renewal of “NCIS: Hawaii” or the continuation of “NCIS: New Orleans” instead.
