NCIS: Sam Hanna Returns to Original Series – NY Spin-Off Debuts in Dramatic Premiere

American NCIS fans finally got to see the new New York–based spinoff! Premiering on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 in the U.S., the series — led by LL Cool J reprising his role as Sam Hanna from NCIS: Los Angeles — introduced a fresh team of NCIS operatives working in the Big Apple. Below is how the story starts… Spoilers ahead!

NCIS: New York launches

In this NCIS offshoot, Sam Hanna returns to his hometown of New York after the death of Jack Halloway, a man he’s known since childhood. Law enforcement initially treats Jack’s death as a suicide, but Sam suspects foul play. He temporarily joins the local NCIS unit led by Robyn Wells (Jennifer Beals) and teams up with Nick Schaeffer (Scott Caan). Jimmy Palmer (from the original NCIS, played by Brian Dietzen) appears via video call to provide key information.

The team soon learns that Jack had been unwillingly entangled in a human-smuggling operation. Jack’s second-in-command, Dave, was coerced by mercenaries into framing Jack as a criminal because they were holding a woman — whom Dave believed to be Jack’s girlfriend — hostage. Sam and Nick must race to stop the traffickers before they strike again.

Sam Hanna becomes part of NCIS New York

Later in the episode, the mercenaries kidnap the daughter of a Russian mining tycoon to blackmail her father and exploit his influence and assets. Sam, Nick and their colleagues locate the captors’ hideout and free the young woman. During the confrontation, Sam also saves Nick’s life.

After the dust settles, Sam honors Jack’s memory by presenting his widow with an American flag. Nick later finds Sam and urges him to stay on with the New York NCIS team. Sam agrees, officially joining the unit and already forming a promising partnership with Nick.

Will viewers embrace this new entry in the NCIS universe? The premiere certainly assembles many of the elements that have made the franchise successful. Stay tuned…