š„ Why Sam Hanna Needs His Own Series If Heās Not Joining ‘NCIS’
LL Cool Jās character Sam Hanna was a powerhouse in NCIS: Los Angeles. For over a decade, fans watched him grow from a charming former Navy SEAL to a devoted father and elite investigator. Now that NCIS: LA has wrapped up and Sam’s brief stint on NCIS: Hawai’i has ended, fans are left wondering: Whatās next for Sam Hanna?
Hereās the bold truth: If heās not joining the main NCIS lineup, then itās time to give Sam Hanna his own limited series. Here’s why it makes perfect senseāand how the franchise could use this to set a new gold standard.
š Sam Hanna Was the Backbone of āNCIS: Los Angelesā
He wasnāt just a sidekick. He was the muscle, the heart, and the soul of the team. Samās presence grounded the chaos, and his chemistry with G. Callen was electric. Without him, NCIS: LA wouldnāt have lasted 14 seasons. Itās only right that he gets a solo spotlight now.
šÆ The Perfect Timing for a Spinoff
Letās face itāthe NCIS universe is expanding. With NCIS: Sydney, NCIS: Origins, and multiple crossovers, itās clear the franchise is far from slowing down. A Sam Hanna limited series could ride that wave, offering something fresh while staying rooted in the legacy fans love.
š His Military Backstory Could Drive the Plot
Samās history as a Navy SEAL is practically made for television. Think of the drama, the missions, the loss, the victories. A series that jumps between his post-NCIS life and flashbacks to covert operations could offer layered storytelling.
š A More Personal, Gritty Look Into His Character
We know Sam the agent. But what about Sam the father? The widower? The man carrying the emotional weight of a high-stakes life? A limited series allows us to peel back the layers, going beyond cases and into character depth.
šŗ A Streaming-Ready Format That Could Kill
This isnāt about 20+ episodes on network TV. A 6 to 8-episode arc on Paramount+ or another major streaming service would give the creators freedom to get cinematic. Tight pacing. Bold storytelling. No filler.
š There’s Already Built-In Demand
Sam Hanna trends on social media every time he appears. Thatās a clear signal: people still want him. With NCIS: LA ending, thereās a void in the franchise that only a familiar, beloved character like Sam can fill.
š¬ LL Cool J Is Still Game for More
Letās not forget, LL Cool J has hinted that heās open to returning to the franchise. He even popped up unexpectedly in NCIS: Hawaiāi. Heās still physically capable, charismatic, and most importantlyāhe loves the character.
š” Plot Ideas That Practically Write Themselves
A solo series could revolve around:
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Sam mentoring young agents
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A personal mission tied to his SEAL days
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Going undercover in a deep-state conspiracy
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Hunting a former teammate gone rogue
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Reconnecting with his estranged family
These arenāt far-fetched. Theyāre exactly the kind of high-stakes stories fans crave.
š§ Heās Smart, Strategic, and Relatable
Sam wasnāt just the guy who kicked down doors. He was calculated. Level-headed. A moral compass. He wasnāt driven by egoāhe was driven by duty. That kind of character is a rarity in action drama, and it deserves a deeper dive.
šÆ Itās Time To Expand the NCIS Universe the Right Way
Spin-offs often fall into the trap of copying the original. A Sam Hanna show could do the oppositeācreate a character-first drama with heart, action, and tension that feels less like a crime-of-the-week procedural and more like a character-driven thriller.
š International Missions Could Set a New Tone
Sam has been everywhereāfrom the Middle East to Europe. Imagine a limited series that takes him across the globe again, dealing with geopolitical threats, rogue agents, and backroom deals. Think Jack Ryan but grounded in the NCIS universe.
š£ Fans Are Ready for Something Different
Audiences are evolving. They want limited series with emotional payoff, cinematic storytelling, and meaningful arcs. A Sam Hanna show checks all those boxes and fills a void that NCIS fans didnāt even know they had.
š Writers Could Finally Explore Untouched Storylines
Thereās so much we donāt know about Samāhis years before NCIS, his early missions, his struggles with loss. A solo series would allow writers to color outside the lines and bring untold stories to life.
š The Franchise Needs a Fresh Hook
Letās be real: the procedural format is getting stale. A limited series that leans into suspense, character study, and serialized storytelling could revitalize the NCIS brand for the next generation.
š§© No Need to Erase the PastāJust Build On It
This isnāt about rebooting Sam. Itās about evolving him. Keeping his legacy intact while showing us sides of him weāve never seen. Thatās how franchises growānot by recycling old formulas, but by taking bold, respectful steps forward.
š Conclusion: Sam Hanna Isnāt Done YetāAnd He Shouldnāt Be
Sam Hanna isnāt just a character. Heās an icon in the NCIS universe. And heās earned more than a cameo or a supporting role. If NCIS wonāt give him a permanent place in the main lineup, the solution is simple:
Give him his own limited series.
One with teeth. One with soul. One that reminds fans why they fell in love with him in the first place. The franchise has an opportunity to do something smart and surprising. Itās time to seize it.
šāāļø 5 Unique FAQs About Sam Hanna and His Potential Limited Series
Q1: Why didnāt Sam Hanna stay in āNCIS: Hawaiāiā?
A: LL Cool Jās appearance was a cameo and not meant to be permanent. It was likely a way to test audience interest and keep his character active in the NCIS universe.
Q2: Could a Sam Hanna series work without the rest of the NCIS: LA cast?
A: Absolutely. Sam is strong enough to carry a series solo, and the introduction of new characters could breathe fresh life into the franchise.
Q3: What network would air a Sam Hanna limited series?
A: Most likely Paramount+, the streaming home for all NCIS content. A limited series format fits perfectly with their recent programming strategy.
Q4: Would LL Cool J even return for a full series?
A: Heās shown consistent enthusiasm for the role and remains physically and emotionally invested in the character. Given the right script, heād almost certainly say yes.
Q5: How could a Sam Hanna show stand out from other NCIS spin-offs?
A: By focusing less on episodic cases and more on character development, serialized plots, and international actionāit could be the NCIS version of Jack Reacher or The Night Agent.
