Soccer moms drive minivans, right? It’s a cliche because it’s true? Jane Tennant (Vanessa Lachey) is on the field coaching 10-year-old daughter Julie (Mahina Anne Marie Napoleon) when her ride arrives: a Black Hawk helicopter. The special agent in charge of NCIS Pearl Harbor is needed on site where an experimental aircraft has crashed into a cliff, perhaps due to foul play. And just like that, she’s off into the indelibly blue skies over Oahu.
For the actress (and self-described Air Force brat), shooting in the military transport was quite a welcome to NCIS: Hawai’i, the job of a lifetime. “Day 1, Hour 1, I’m in a Black Hawk. I’m going up, I’m landing, I’m walking off, standing tall and proud, [heading] toward a crime scene,” Lachey excitedly tells TV Guide Magazine. “I feel like I’m in a dream.” Production for the newest ‘NCIS’ spinoff kicked off at Mokule’Ia Beach on Oahu with a traditional Hawaiian blessing in honor of its host Hawaiian culture.
The CBS franchise is certainly a dream team: The original NCIS has been TV’s most popular drama for 11 of the last 12 years (NBC’s This Is Us snuck in there once). Hawai’i now partners with NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles in solving Navy crimes-so has Tennant ever picked up a rule or two from Gibbs? Is she another Hetty protegee? “We live in the same universe, but every one of them were spin-offs,” says executive producer Christopher Silber. “We don’t make any connection to the other shows.” (That said, producers are open to crossovers!)
The firsts don’t stop there. It’s been a long time coming for a woman (of Asian American Pacific Islander descent, no less) to be the face of an NCIS series. “We never really talked about anything other than a female lead,” says executive producer Jan Nash (who, like Silber, comes from NCIS: New Orleans, which signed off in May). Hawai’i found its magical pairing of confidence and compassion in Lachey, who translates that as: “She’s a badass with a warm heart.” Tennant herself is the first female boss at NCIS Pearl Harbor, overseeing 40 agents, as well as a divorced mom, overseeing two kids. Says Lachey: “She’s making it work in a man’s world, and she doesn’t take no for an answer. She finds her way into every opportunity she gets and comes out on the other end unscathed. At the same time, she’s human and she’s learning how to juggle her emotions and being a mother.” Whether Julie and 16-year-old son Alex (Kian Talan) provide the bigger challenge is up for debate.
A Bold New Chapter for NCIS
When NCIS: Hawaii premiered, it wasn’t just another addition to the franchise—it was a revolution. For the first time ever, a woman was in charge. And not just any woman—Vanessa Lachey, portraying Jane Tennant, stepped into the spotlight with the perfect blend of power, poise, and compassion.
So, who is Jane Tennant? And why is she being hailed as the “badass with a warm heart”? Let’s dive deep into the character that’s won over millions of fans and reshaped what leadership looks like in network television.
Who Is Jane Tennant?
The First Female Lead in NCIS History
Jane Tennant made waves from day one. She’s not only the Special Agent in Charge of NCIS Pearl Harbor—she’s the first female lead in a long-standing franchise that’s been dominated by men for nearly two decades.
Played to Perfection by Vanessa Lachey
Vanessa Lachey brings Jane to life with effortless charisma. Known for her warm personality and commanding screen presence, Lachey fuses toughness with tenderness in a way that feels incredibly human.
Jane Tennant’s Role in NCIS: Hawaii
Balancing National Security and Motherhood
One of the most powerful elements of Jane’s character is her dual identity. She’s not just chasing down threats to national security—she’s also raising two kids.
Balancing field missions with parent-teacher conferences? That’s real power.
A Team Leader Everyone Respects
Jane Tennant leads her diverse NCIS team with empathy and precision. She’s respected not because she demands it, but because she earns it—day in and day out.
Hawaii Isn’t Just a Backdrop—It’s a Character
The Beauty and Danger of Paradise
The show’s setting in Hawaii isn’t just eye candy. The islands serve as a rich backdrop for the high-stakes drama, while also giving Jane’s story deeper cultural and emotional texture.
Local Culture Meets Military Precision
Jane respects the local traditions and integrates seamlessly with island life, showing how leadership can be both grounded and global.
What Makes Jane Tennant a “Badass”?
She’s Fearless Under Pressure
From car chases to undercover operations, Jane doesn’t flinch. She faces danger with calculated calm and leads from the front.
She Breaks Barriers, Not Rules
Jane is constantly up against red tape and skepticism, but she navigates it all with integrity. She’s not a rule-breaker—she’s a trailblazer.
Why Fans Love Jane’s “Warm Heart”
She Cares Deeply for Her Team
Jane’s not your typical cold, hardened agent. She checks in. She listens. She mentors. And when someone on her team is hurting, she steps in—not as a boss, but as a human being.
Her Kids Come First
No matter what the job demands, Jane always makes time for her family. Watching her juggle espionage with bedtime stories is one of the most refreshing aspects of her character.
A Leader Who Uses Both Head and Heart
Strategic Yet Empathetic
Jane Tennant proves that you don’t have to be ruthless to be effective. She makes smart calls in the field while always remembering the human cost of the job.
Communication Is Her Superpower
Whether it’s calming a hostage or guiding a junior agent, Jane knows how to speak with strength and compassion—something we rarely see enough of in law enforcement dramas.
Vanessa Lachey’s Impact Beyond the Screen
Breaking the Mold in Prime Time
Vanessa Lachey made history as the first woman of color to lead an NCIS series, and she’s using that platform to inspire others. Her presence alone is rewriting what female leadership looks like on TV.
Representation That Matters
Young girls watching NCIS: Hawaii now see a powerful woman in a position of authority—one who is complex, capable, and deeply human.
What Sets NCIS: Hawaii Apart from Other Crime Dramas?
A Refreshing Take on Leadership
In a sea of alpha-male law enforcement shows, NCIS: Hawaii shines with its softer, smarter edge. Jane leads with intellect and empathy—not intimidation.
A Character-Driven Storyline
The show is more than cases and clues—it’s about people. And Jane Tennant is the beating heart of that narrative.
Best Jane Tennant Moments (So Far)
Her Epic Helicopter Rescue Scene
One of Jane’s most jaw-dropping moments was a high-stakes helicopter extraction—cool under pressure, commanding, and unforgettable.
That Intense Face-Off With a Terrorist Cell Leader
When Jane goes toe-to-toe with an enemy, you feel it. Her calm yet powerful demeanor is spine-tingling.
Jane Tennant: More Than Just a Hero
She’s a Single Mom Kicking Ass
Jane’s personal story resonates with anyone who’s ever had to juggle work, parenting, and the weight of the world on their shoulders.
She Fights for Justice and for Her Kids’ Future
Every mission, every move—Jane is driven by something deeper than duty. She’s building a safer world for her children.
Behind the Scenes: Vanessa’s Training for the Role
She Did Her Own Stunts
Vanessa Lachey trained rigorously to bring authenticity to the role. She learned tactical maneuvers, weapon handling, and even some martial arts.
Working With Real NCIS Consultants
The creators wanted realism, so Vanessa worked closely with military and NCIS advisors to get Jane’s character just right.
Why Jane Tennant Is TV’s Most Relatable Hero
She cries. She laughs. She messes up and makes it right. Jane Tennant isn’t a cardboard cut-out of a hero—she’s real, and that’s what makes her revolutionary.
Conclusion: The Future of NCIS Is Female
Jane Tennant is more than just the main character—she’s a movement. With Vanessa Lachey at the helm, NCIS: Hawaii has become a masterclass in modern storytelling, representation, and emotional depth.
She’s tough but tender, fearless yet flawed—and in a world full of cookie-cutter crime shows, Jane Tennant is the game-changer we didn’t know we needed.
