News had recently come out that NCIS is getting a new spin-off, NCIS: New York, and LL Cool is returning as Sam Hanna to lead the show. In the meantime, fans recently got to see him on the main show. During the moment, he even managed to tease the spin-off, which should be coming right around the corner.
Fans First Saw LL Cool J As Sam Hanna On NCIS: Los Angeles
LL Cool J is a rapper and actor. However, NCIS fans might know him best as Special Agent Sam Hanna, a character he’s played throughout the franchise.
Fans first saw the rapper play Sam on NCIS: Los Angeles. However, he later reprised the character on NCIS: Hawaiʻi and the main NCIS series.
However, it’s recently been announced that LL Cool J will soon return as Sam to headline another spin-off, NCIS: New York. Before this, he reprised the role on the main NCIS during its April 21 episode.
In the episode, “Reboot,” Kasie and a small team are hunted by a threat in a dark building. Things take a turn, however, when Sam Hanna arrives. This all takes place as Kasie is upgrading the system when someone is murdered. Sam joins up with Parker and Palmer to figure out what’s going on. During his appearance, they are also able to talk about the loss of Vance, who was killed in the 500th episode while in the line of duty.
NCIS: New York Is Already Expected For The CBS Fall 2025 Lineup
During the episode, Palmer confides to Sam that he runs steps at the Navy Yard when he can’t sleep and that he’s training to climb Kilimanjaro. Sam also supports Palmer when he wants to investigate some tech trolls, telling Parker, “You should’ve seen him in Hawai’i in that dungeon they had us in. Man’s got skills.”
As Sam helps to collect what’s needed to save the day, he notes that he hasn’t seen everyone since Vance’s funeral. Asking how everyone is doing, Parker admits that he doesn’t know, adding, “Doesn’t seem real, a lot of us are still in denial.”
It was at this point that Sam started to tease what was next for him. He shared that he’s “thinking about where I’m headed, been waiting to make a move for a while, haven’t been able to settle on a direction quite yet,” and “I’m done waiting.” This is all helping to set up the upcoming spin-off, which will see Sam in New York.
As noted by TV Insider, fans won’t have much longer to wait for the New York-based series. It is already planned for the CBS Fall 2025 lineup. The series, which stars LL Cool J alongside Scott Caan, will air Tuesdays at 9 PM ET.
What did you think about LL Cool J’s recent return to NCIS? Are you excited about NCIS: New York? Have you been following this story? Make sure you come back to TV Shows Ace for all the latest TV and celebrity news.
John Witiw has been a writer since at least 2015. He’s covered a variety of topics, especially when it comes to film and television.
