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.)”
Fans of NCIS: Hawai’i were devastated when CBS pulled the plug on the beloved spin-off. With only three seasons under its belt, the show had garnered a dedicated fanbase and set itself apart with a fresh take on the NCIS franchise. However, showrunners have now come forward, revealing that the cancellation “still stings” and offering glimpses of what Season 4 would have had in store.
So, what exactly did we miss? Let’s dive deep into what could have been and why the show’s sudden ending still leaves fans heartbroken.
Why Was NCIS: Hawai’i Canceled?
A Surprise to Fans and the Showrunners
The cancellation of NCIS: Hawai’i shocked not only fans but also the showrunners themselves. Despite having decent ratings and a passionate viewership, CBS decided to cut the show. According to insiders, several factors contributed to this decision:
- Budget constraints due to rising production costs.
- Network restructuring and shifts in programming focus.
- Ratings and viewership numbers, though respectable, were not as high as expected compared to other NCIS series.
How Fans Reacted to the Cancellation
The response from the NCIS: Hawai’i community was immediate. Social media was flooded with petitions, fan campaigns, and calls for streaming platforms like Netflix or Paramount+ to pick up the show. Unfortunately, no rescue came, leaving the series officially canceled.
What Season 4 Could Have Been
More Intense Storylines and Character Arcs
According to showrunners, Season 4 would have pushed the envelope with deeper character development, shocking plot twists, and even a few returning faces from the NCIS universe.
Jane Tennant’s Leadership Evolution
Vanessa Lachey’s character, Jane Tennant, was set to face her most significant challenges yet. With growing tensions in her personal and professional life, fans would have seen a more vulnerable yet determined side of Tennant.
A High-Stakes Criminal Case
The writers had a major, multi-episode crime storyline planned. It would have involved international espionage, rogue agents, and a case so big it would have required help from NCIS headquarters in Washington.
More Crossovers with Other NCIS Shows
One of the biggest plans for Season 4 was a massive crossover event with NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles. There were rumors of familiar faces making guest appearances, bringing the NCIS family together like never before.
Fan-Favorite Characters’ Fates Revealed
- Lucy and Kate’s Relationship: Their love story was a fan favorite, and Season 4 would have explored deeper struggles and triumphs in their journey.
- Ernie’s Big Break: The team’s tech expert was set to be at the center of a high-risk cyber attack storyline.
- Boom Boom’s New Role: A promotion and personal drama would have made his character arc more compelling.
Could NCIS: Hawai’i Be Revived?
Is There Hope for a Comeback?
While CBS has made no official moves to revive the show, fans continue to push for a second chance. Streaming services like Paramount+ could be a potential home if enough demand builds.
Cast and Crew’s Thoughts on a Revival
Vanessa Lachey and other cast members have expressed their heartbreak over the cancellation. However, they have also hinted that they would be open to returning should the opportunity arise.
Conclusion
The cancellation of NCIS: Hawai’i remains a sore spot for both fans and showrunners. With so many incredible storylines left untold, the loss of Season 4 is felt deeply. But hope isn’t entirely lost—fan campaigns and online movements could still bring the show back in some capacity. Until then, all we can do is imagine what could have been.
