NCIS: From Humble Beginnings to Global Phenomenon – How It Overcame Its Rocky Start
NCIS has become a powerhouse with 22 seasons and counting, but its journey to success wasn’t without challenges. When the show debuted in 2003, it gained only a modest fanbase, and it took a few years for it to hit its stride. By Season 3, however, NCIS found its footing, with actress Cote De Pablo naming it her favorite season during the Off Duty: An NCIS Rewatch podcast.
Star Michael Weatherly reflected on the show’s early years, admitting that it wasn’t an immediate hit but saying, “We weren’t good enough to get all the attention, but we weren’t bad enough to get canceled.” The cast’s dedication kept it afloat until the show found its true potential.
Actor Rocky Carroll attributed much of NCIS’s success to the comforting familiarity it provides viewers. “There’s something reassuring about knowing the good guys will win and the bad guys will get their just desserts,” he said.
The NCIS franchise continues to expand, with NCIS: Sydney set to return for a second season on January 31, 2025. However, some fans have expressed disappointment, wishing for the return of other spin-offs like NCIS: New Orleans or NCIS: Los Angeles. “I like NCIS: Sydney, but I’d rather have kept New Orleans,” one fan commented, while another called for a Season 4 renewal of NCIS: Hawaii.
