As NCIS: Los Angeles wrapped up its impressive 14-season run, fans weren’t the only ones curious about how it would all end. LL Cool J, who played Senior Special Agent Sam Hanna since the show’s debut in 2009, revealed that he purposefully avoided reading the final script—opting instead to experience the ending as it unfolded.
“I didn’t read the final script,” the 55-year-old actor (born James Todd Smith) shared with PEOPLE during the show’s wrap party. “I actually backed off it… I played it scene by scene and let it surprise me.”
Letting the Moment Lead
Rather than approach the finale with full knowledge of how things would end, LL Cool J focused entirely on staying present in each scene. While he had done the necessary preparation, he chose not to internalize the ending ahead of time.
“I just wanted to do the work,” he explained. “I knew where I was coming from, I did my homework… but I just didn’t want to read that last scene and get into that.”
An Emotional Farewell
The show’s finale, split into two episodes, began airing May 14 and concluded on May 21. As production wrapped, LL Cool J reflected on what the series meant to him—not just professionally, but personally.
“The experience was amazing,” he said. “You grow, you mature, you build friendships… we’re talking about 14 years. I’ve seen people have babies, kids go to college, I’ve seen marriages. I’ll miss the day-to-day with people who became real friends.”
The Final Scene That Hit Different
Unlike a typical “episode wrap,” this time it was the end of a chapter—and LL Cool J says everyone on set felt it.
“It was big, it felt big. It wasn’t just an episode wrap, it was a series wrap,” he noted. “There was a lot of emotion, but also a real sense that we accomplished something meaningful.”
A Legacy Worth Celebrating
With 322 episodes aired and a major 300-episode milestone achieved in 2022, NCIS: LA became the longest-running spinoff in the NCIS franchise—and one of the longest-running scripted dramas on television.
“This is one of the longest-running shows in TV history, man,” LL Cool J said proudly. “That’s like winning multiple Super Bowls. I feel good about that.”
The End of an Era—But Not the End for LL Cool J
While NCIS: LA may have concluded, LL Cool J remains active both in entertainment and music. His role as Sam Hanna helped anchor the show from its start in 2009, working alongside co-lead Chris O’Donnell as G. Callen. The duo, along with co-stars Daniela Ruah, Eric Christian Olsen, Medalion Rahimi, Caleb Castille, and Gerald McRaney, helped create a show that combined action, heart, and longevity.
As fans said goodbye to NCIS: LA, LL Cool J chose to meet the final moments just as they aired—unscripted, honest, and heartfelt. And in many ways, that’s what made his portrayal of Sam Hanna feel so real.
