NCIS: Hawaii season 4 is still on the bubble at CBS, but even if it is renewed it could face budget cuts and a shortened episode order.
NCIS: Hawai’i season 4 could be facing significant budget cuts if it is renewed at all. The show is the third spinoff of the crime procedural drama NCIS, which itself was a spinoff of JAG. Centering on the Hawai’i Field Office of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, it stars Vanessa Lachey as Jane Tennant alongside an ensemble cast that includes Alex Tarrant, Noah Mills, Yasmine Al-Bustami, Jason Antoon, and Tori Anderson. The show is currently airing a shortened season 3, which consists of 10 episodes as it premiered later in the season following the end of the 2023 Hollywood strikes.
Per Deadline, NCIS: Hawai’i season 4 is still on the bubble at CBS. Of the five scripted dramas that have yet to be renewed, the show is the third highest-performing, behind The Equalizer and the Good Wife spinoff Elsbeth, but ahead of So Help Me Todd and CSI: Vegas. While this gives the show a solid chance of renewal, reportedly a renewal would still have to result in tough budget conversations, which would likely give the new season roughly 13 episodes as opposed to its typical 22.
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The fact that Hawai’i will probably not be able to return to a full episode order even if it is renewed could spell doom for the spinoff. While chances are still looking good that season 4 will come to the air in some way, shape, or form, the fact of its budget being compromised may lead to further cutbacks and restrictions on the show as it goes along. One major reason for this is the fact that it is competing with a plethora of other NCIS shows that are either on the air or in development.
Seasons of shows that are currently on the air and have already been renewed include the upcoming NCIS season 22 and Sydney season 2. On top of that, two additional spinoffs are currently in development. Origins, following the younger years of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, is set to premiere on CBS in the fall alongside the other renewed shows, while an untitled Tony and Ziva spinoff is also in the works at Paramount+.
NCIS: Origins stars Austin Stowell as the young Gibbs, though original Gibbs actor Mark Harmon will provide narration for the show.
Ultimately, if it is already on a shaky foundation, the older spinoff could very well be crowded out by the flagship show and its newer spinoffs. However, even if the show goes off the air, there will likely be ample opportunities for NCIS: Hawai’i cast members to appear on other shows in the franchise. The universe of the show is known for its crossovers, and cast members from previously cancelled shows have already reappeared at various moments, including in the recent 1000th episode of the franchise.