Would LL Cool J Have Stayed on CBS’s ‘Hawaii’?

When NCIS: Los Angeles was canceled, LL Cool J transitioned to NCIS: Hawaii, reprising his role as Sam Hanna. The circumstances behind this move are now clearer. Additionally, there’s curiosity about whether Sam Hanna would have continued in Season 4 if the CBS military procedural series had not been canceled.

The showrunners of NCIS: Hawaii have discussed these matters for the first time since the show’s cancelation. They shared intriguing insights about how everything unfolded and the future they had envisioned.

In an interview with TV Line, the co-showrunners of NCIS: Hawaii, Jan Nash, Christopher Silver, and Matt Bosack, opened up about the cancelation of the CBS spinoff series and LL Cool J’s involvement. They explained that the idea of integrating Sam Hanna into NCIS: Hawaii was pitched by the studio and network following the end of NCIS: Los Angeles. They were enthusiastic about the idea not only because Sam was a captivating character but also because LL Cool J was seen as a wonderful addition to their team.

The showrunners also revealed their plans for Sam Hanna, noting that his chemistry with the series lead, Vanessa Lachey, was compelling. They had hoped to maintain this dynamic for numerous seasons. Initially, LL Cool J was booked as a recurring character for the third season. Yet, due to a shorter season, he appeared in every episode. This led fans to speculate that in a full 22-episode season, his presence might have been less frequent. Nonetheless, it became evident that LL Cool J was considered a regular part of the cast, with plans to keep him involved for future seasons.

Despite the series being cut short, the showrunners hoped to continue exploring Hanna’s storyline, acknowledging the positive impact his character had on the show.

Meanwhile, LL Cool J is returning to music. He is set to perform live on the Today Plaza as part of the Citi Concert Series on Friday, September 6. There has been no official word on whether he might return to the original NCIS series.

For fans of NCIS: Hawaii, the revelation that showrunners intended to include LL Cool J’s Sam Hanna in future storylines adds a layer of disappointment to the series’ cancelation.