Summary
NCIS: Sydney, the inaugural international spin-off of the NCIS franchise, will entail a collaborative endeavour involving US NCIS agents and Australian law enforcement personnel as they delve into criminal investigations occurring within Sydney's bustling harbor.
The series will adopt a crime procedural format, centering on the investigation leading to arrests, in contrast to its predecessor JAG which emphasized legal proceedings in military criminal cases.
NCIS: Sydney is scheduled to premiere earlier than anticipated, with its debut in Australia on November 10 and in the US on November 13. The show will be accessible for viewing on both CBS and Paramount+.
NCIS: Sydney has been approved as the fourth spin-off series of NCIS, marking the first time the franchise ventures into the international realm. This new installment will feature a blend of US NCIS agents and Australian law enforcement officers, offering a fresh twist to the crime procedural format that defines the franchise. While many scripted shows have faced delays until 2024, NCIS: Sydney is set to premiere earlier than anticipated, hitting TV screens in 2023.
Notably, NCIS itself was a spin-off originating from JAG, a series that focused on legal proceedings in military criminal cases. JAG predominantly depicted courtroom drama or the preparation that occurred prior to courtroom appearances. In contrast, NCIS delves into the investigative process leading up to arrests. All crimes investigated in NCIS revolve around those occurring within military branches or involving military personnel as victims. Up until now, the shows have primarily unfolded within the United States, but NCIS: Sydney will shift its focus to crimes unfolding in the Sydney harbor.
Most Recent NCIS: Sydney News
The latest news regarding NCIS: Sydney states that it is the only scripted series that will premiere on CBS during the new television season amidst the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. While CBS typically has a well-rounded fall TV lineup consisting of reality TV and crime procedurals, most of their scripted shows will be delayed until 2024. Fortunately, NCIS: Sydney is one of the few series that CBS was able to successfully film.
NCIS: Sydney is the first international addition to the NCIS franchise, which originated over two decades ago with NCIS. Following that, spin-offs NCIS: Los Angeles and NCIS: New Orleans were created, but both have now concluded their runs on the network. The newest spin-off, NCIS: Hawai’i, premiered in 2021. There was also a planned spin-off called NCIS: Red, but it never progressed beyond its backdoor pilot. However, all of these series were set within the United States. With NCIS: Sydney being set in Australia, CBS now has a fresh direction to explore for this long-running show.
CBS will be treating fans to exclusive glimpses of the upcoming season of NCIS: Sydney on September 25, coinciding with the network's declared NCIS Day. Commencing at 8:00 PM that evening, CBS will showcase a marathon of NCIS episodes along with special previews of NCIS: Sydney.
NCIS: Sydney Is Confirmed
CBS confirmed and announced the development of NCIS: Sydney in early 2022. The show's first season entered pre-production later the same year and was filmed in Australia in early 2023.
NCIS: Sydney Release Date
The release date of NCIS: Sydney might surprise some as it is ahead of other NCIS series due to the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. However, since the series was developed and filmed during a different time of the year, it is already prepared for its premiere. NCIS: Sydney is set to debut in Australia on November 10. Just three days later, on November 13, NCIS: Sydney will premiere in the US at the 10:00 PM time slot.
Where To Watch NCIS: Sydney
NCIS: Sydney will be streamed on both CBS and Paramount+. The series will first premiere on Paramount+ Australia, followed by its debut on CBS in the US. After its airing on CBS, viewers can watch it on Paramount+ in the US the following day.
NCIS: Sydney Cast
The NCIS: Sydney cast predominantly consists of Australian actors in the main roles due to the show's storyline involving collaboration between the Australian Federal Police and the US Navy Criminal Investigative Services. Olivia Swann portrays NCIS Special Agent Michelle Mackey, and Todd Lasance portrays Sergeant Jim "JD" Dempsey, with both actors leading their respective teams in the show. Swann gained recognition for her role as Astra Logue in season 6 of the CW's Legends of Tomorrow, while Lasance is notable for his appearances in Spartacus and The Secrets She Keeps.
Joining Swann and Lasance in the series are:
Sean Sagar as NCIS Special Agent DeShawn Jackson
Tuuli Narkle as AFP Liaison Officer Constable Evie Cooper
Mavournee Hazel as AFP Forensic Scientist Bluebird "Blue" Gleeson
William McInnes portrays Dr. Roy Penrose, the AFP Forensic Pathologist, in NCIS: Sydney. While loyal fans of the NCIS franchise may anticipate a guest appearance by actor Kurt Yaeger, who previously made history in NCIS: Hawai’i, it remains uncertain if he will join the cast of NCIS: Sydney. Yaeger has played various characters in each NCIS series, fueling speculation that he could potentially make an appearance in the new installment. Additionally, the NCIS franchise often incorporates crossover storylines, leaving room for characters from other shows to make appearances in the upcoming series.
NCIS: Sydney Crew
NCIS: Sydney Story
Little information is available about the behind-the-scenes crew of NCIS: Sydney. In 2022, CBS announced the upcoming series and revealed that Shane Brennan, the mastermind behind the canceled NCIS spin-off NCIS: Los Angeles, would be involved. Although Brennan's role might still be as an executive producer, the creative force behind NCIS: Sydney is Morgan O'Neill. O'Neill, an accomplished actor, writer, and producer, has a wealth of experience in the Australian entertainment industry and previously contributed to the mini-series Les Norton.
The NCIS: Sydney story is expected to adopt a similar format to most crime procedurals, including other NCIS series, featuring a "case of the week." While each episode will revolve around a single mystery, the overarching focus of the NCIS franchise remains on crimes connected to the military. The NCIS investigative teams primarily handle criminal cases involving military personnel as either victims or perpetrators. However, what sets NCIS: Sydney apart is that its team comprises not only NCIS investigators.
In response to increasing international tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, NCIS: Sydney brings together a dynamic team of U.S. NCIS agents and Australian Federal Police (AFP) to form a multinational task force. Their primary objective is to combat naval crimes in the highly disputed area of the ocean, known as the most contested patch of ocean on Earth.
NCIS: Sydney Trailer
CBS has unveiled a sneak peek of NCIS: Sydney through a two-minute trailer, signaling the expansion of the franchise by integrating footage from NCIS and NCIS: Hawai’i.
The trailer for NCIS: Sydney primarily focuses on the intense relationship between the two distinct agencies, specifically highlighting the strained interaction between team leaders Michelle Mackey and JD Demsey. Mackey refers to the cases as "my investigation," while Demsey asserts his ownership over the harbor. The trailer implies that the inaugural season will explore the challenges faced by the task force as they navigate working together and sharing the responsibilities of their investigations. As a result, NCIS: Sydney promises to introduce a fresh dynamic to the existing NCIS franchise.