NCIS: Hawai'i star talks addition of LL Cool J: "It shakes things up"

NCIS: Hawai'i has had a difficult season, as have all major network dramas. The show got a late start due to the Hollywood strikes, and was given roughly half the episodes as usual. It also had to contend with the major addition of LL Cool J, fresh from the conclusion of NCIS: Los Angeles. There's been a lot to juggle, and NCIS: Hawai'i star Jason Antoon was upfront about it during a recent interview.

Antoon, who plays tech specialist Ernie Malik, told Us Weekly that the addition of LL Cool J did take some time to get used to, as the rapper-turned-actor changed the dynamic of the show. “You’ve got to adjust to him," he noted. "I say this in the most loving way, it’s like a wrench being thrown into the whole show for us."

Jason Antoon says fans are watching the "LL season"

“Nightwatch Two” – When Lucy receives a strange call on night watch from a man admitting to murder, the NCIS team sets out to find him, on the CBS Original series NCIS: HAWAI’I, Monday, May. 8 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+*. Pictured: Jason Antoon as Ernie Malik and Seana Kofoed as Commander Chase. Photo: CBS ©2023 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Highest quality screengrab available. /

Antoon went on to joke that season 3 has been the unofficial "LL Cool J season," given how much he has appeared despite the reduced episode count. Despite these changes, the NCIS: Hawai'i says that LL is an absolute treat to work with:

"[He's the] most professional guy. He plays music between takes and he’s got his little Bluetooth [speaker] and he is blasting music."

LL Cool J was thrilled to get the opportunity to extend his character's story beyond the conclusion of NCIS: Los Angeles. He told People Magazine that he felt there was more to Sam he wanted to explore, and found that NCIS: Hawai'i was the perfect platform to do so. Furthermore, LL's involvement with the show helped to bring some of NCIS: LA's audience to Hawai'i.

LL Cool J is unsure about his character's future

“Run and Gun” – After passing her medical and psych evaluations, Tennant is surprised to see Sam Hanna conducting her final interview to clear her return to work. Also, when the team discovers a breach in the U.S. Marshal’s database, Sam joins Tennant in Las Vegas to locate the hacker, on part one of the season three premiere of the CBS Original series NCIS: HAWAI’I, Monday, Feb. 12 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on demand for /

The third season of NCIS: Hawai'i will be remembered as the "LL Cool J season" depending on how long the actor sticks around. Antoon told Us Weekly that he was unsure what the plans were for the character of Sam, and LL was similarly uncertain what seasons 4 and 5 of the show looked like for him:

"I'm in the dark as much as the audience. We're just having fun with it."

The bottom is this: enjoy Sam on NCIS: Hawai'i while you can!

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