Three months after NCIS: Hawai’i was canceled, showrunners Jan Nash, Christopher Silber and Matt Bosack are opening up about how they were “obviously surprised” by the show’s untimely ending. The showrunners shared in a joint email Q&A with TVLine that they would have ended the island spinoff’s third season differently if they had known the show wasn’t returning to CBS.
“If we’d known it was coming, we probably wouldn’t have ended the series on a cliffhanger,” they explained. “The fact that the studio and the network didn’t stop us makes it seem like they might not have seen it coming either. We loved our show and know other people loved it, too, but the TV business is a fickle mistress and one can’t take business decisions personally. But it still stings.” Despite the surprise, the trio said there is “a lot to be proud of” from the experience of making the CBS procedural, which starred Vanessa Lachey.
“We did what we set out to do. We created a show with a strong female lead and a cast that reflected the diversity of Hawai’i and the world. We told interesting Navy crime stories,” they said. “All while maintaining a workplace where people could hopefully do their best work and be valued for it.” As fans may recall, season 3 of NCIS: Hawai’i concluded with Maggie (Julie White) telling Jane (Lachey), “Janie, you’re probably going to need a drink for what’s coming next” in the final moments of what would become the series finale. Nash, Silber and Bosack say the conclusion of the cliffhanger was not yet “not fully fleshed out.”
“We had a general idea of where the Maggie story was going,” they explained. “It would have eventually intersected with Jane Tennant’s mother, but it was also going to move back into the dark world of Tennant’s spy past, using those stories to increase our understanding of who Jane was, but also to learn more about her team in the process.”
The showrunners added that they were excited to continue telling stories on the show, saying, “We loved our repertoire of characters and we would have kept using them as much as we could. We were talking about Tennant’s mom and Ernie’s ex-wife, but other than following up on our cliffhanger, there were no ‘musts’ on the list.”
“Our goals every season were the same: tells good stories with these great actors,” they added. As for specific storylines, the trio said that it wasn’t out of the question to see more wedding talk between Lucy Tara (Yasmine Al-Bustami) and Kate Whistler (Tori Anderson). “We hadn’t fully landed on what was going to happen in season 4. But there would have been some movement. Whether it would have been a wedding, meeting families, or some other thing, we didn’t know.” They also noted that they were always planning to have viewers meet Jesse’s (Noah Mills) wife and child. “We started every season planning to meet her and she would have shown up eventually,” they shared. “(Hope springs eternal.)”
The unexpected cancellation of NCIS: Hawai’i has left fans and creators alike reeling. Showrunners have openly admitted that the decision “still stings” as they hint at what could have been in Season 4. But why was the show canceled? And what thrilling storylines did we miss out on? Let’s dive deep into the shocking end of this beloved series.
Why Was NCIS: Hawai’i Canceled?
The news of NCIS: Hawai’i’s cancellation came as a shock to fans. Despite its strong ratings and dedicated audience, CBS decided to pull the plug. But why?
1. Network Restructuring and Budget Cuts
With streaming services reshaping television, networks like CBS have been forced to reassess budgets. Expensive location shoots in Hawai’i likely played a role in the show’s demise.
2. Ratings and Viewership Trends
Though the show performed well, it didn’t dominate its time slot. Other NCIS spin-offs have historically had stronger numbers.
3. Shift in CBS’s Programming Strategy
CBS has been shifting focus toward newer projects. Unfortunately, this meant NCIS: Hawai’i was on the chopping block.
The Emotional Toll on the Cast and Crew
The show’s creators and actors were devastated. Showrunners Christopher Silber and Jan Nash admitted that the decision hit hard. “It still stings,” they confessed in a recent interview, adding that they had big plans for Season 4.
What Could Have Happened in Season 4?
While we’ll never get to see Season 4, the showrunners gave us a taste of what was in store.
1. Tennant’s Leadership Challenges
Jane Tennant, played by Vanessa Lachey, was set to face her toughest challenge yet—balancing personal life and career under immense pressure.
2. A Major Betrayal Within the Team
A shocking betrayal was planned, one that would have rocked the team’s foundation. Fans were teased with hints of a mole within NCIS.
3. A Cross-Over with NCIS: Los Angeles
Plans were in place for a crossover event that would have brought together NCIS agents from different franchises for a high-stakes mission.
4. A Darker, Grittier Season
Season 4 was expected to explore deeper character development, pushing the team into dangerous territory as they tackled some of their toughest cases yet.
5. New Villains and International Espionage
The show was gearing up for a villainous mastermind pulling strings from the shadows, with global implications.
Fan Reactions to the Cancellation
1. Social Media Uproar
Fans took to Twitter and Reddit to express their disappointment. The hashtag #SaveNCISHawaii trended shortly after the announcement.
2. Petitions and Campaigns
Loyal viewers even started petitions urging CBS to reconsider, but the network remained firm in its decision.
3. Cast Members Speak Out
Several cast members, including Vanessa Lachey, shared emotional messages with fans, thanking them for their support.
Could NCIS: Hawai’i Be Revived?
While CBS has shut the door on Season 4, hope isn’t completely lost.
1. Streaming Services to the Rescue?
With platforms like Paramount+ and Netflix reviving canceled shows, there’s a slight possibility NCIS: Hawai’i could find a new home.
2. Fan Demand Could Make a Difference
Strong fan campaigns have saved shows before. If the outcry continues, CBS might reconsider or greenlight a limited series in the future.
3. Spin-Off Possibilities
Even if NCIS: Hawai’i doesn’t return, its characters could appear in other NCIS series, keeping their stories alive.
Final Thoughts
The cancellation of NCIS: Hawai’i may feel like an abrupt end, but the love for the series is undeniable. While Season 4 will never air, the impact of the show—and the potential storylines we missed—will always remain in fans’ hearts.
