NCIS: Hawai'i is apparently in serious danger of being canceled (and that's not okay)

A year ago, if you’d had told us that NCIS: Hawai’i could be in jeopardy of being canceled we likely would have laughed in your face. The series has been a top performer for CBS and hails from the NCIS franchise, serving as a perfect partner to air alongside the flagship series. 

However, this year, the show finds itself in a very different position. NCIS: Hawai’i is one of four dramas at CBS that find themselves on the bubble and there is a very real chance that the show could be canceled if the chips don’t fall into place. In a new report from Deadline, it was noted that “sources expect tough business conversations over NCIS: Hawai’i.”

Should the show manage to evade cancellation, it’s expected that the series will have to make budget cuts and the best-case scenario for the show seems to be a partial season consisting of roughly 13 episodes. 

A large reason the show seems to be on the budget comes down to real estate on the CBS schedule as the network has already renewed a large number of current series and ordered a handful of new series which will need a place on the schedule next season. It also has been seen as a negative thing that CBS is already slated to have three NCIS franchise series for next season given that NCIS and NCIS: Sydney have already been renewed and NCIS: Origins is being prepped for the 2024-25 season. 

NCIS: Hawai’i deserves a fourth season

The fact that NCIS: Hawai’i is in possible danger is more than a little disappointing. In its third season, the series has finally started to really hit its grove and has firmly established itself as one of the strongest series in the NCIS franchise. It also needs to be stated the series is the only series in the franchise to feature a female lead in Vanessa Lachey’s Special Agent in Charge Jane Tennant, who is honestly one of the most interesting and compelling characters we’ve seen within the entire franchise. 

Lachey is incredible in the leading role, bringing a new perspective we’ve never seen before in this franchise. Tennant is an absolute badass, who commands respect and lets the members of her team shine by embracing their strengths. 

Speaking of the Tennant’s team, it’s one of the most underrated teams in the procedural genre! Each member brings so much to the show with their unique backgrounds and personalities blending together flawlessly with the signature balance of drama and comedy that the NCIS franchise is known for. 

To lose the series, especially to a lesser-quality spinoff such as NCIS: Sydney would be a true shame. The show’s ratings remain incredibly strong with the show ranking as the No. 12 series in all of broadcast scripted offerings in the linear ratings, placing it well above other hits including a number of already renewed series on CBS and other broadcast networks. Those ratings are because of the fans, fans who love tuning into the series each week and who deserve to see the NCIS: Hawai’i team solving cases against the backdrop of Hawaii for many more seasons to come!