You Can’t Retire a Legend — Especially Not When He’s Just Getting Started
LL Cool J may have wrapped up a 14-season run on NCIS: Los Angeles, but his iconic character, Sam Hanna, is far from finished. With NCIS: LA ending its broadcast in May 2023, many fans assumed they’d seen the last of the Special Agent known for his loyalty, muscle, and quiet intensity. But in a franchise known for its twists, Sam Hanna is being given an entirely new lease on life — and a change of scenery — as he joins the cast of NCIS: Hawai‘i for a recurring role in Season 3.
Yes, Sam’s trading the streets of Los Angeles for the sun-soaked shores of Oahu — and he’s bringing his no-nonsense style with him.
From LA to Aloha: How Sam Hanna Found New Ground
Fans were first teased with Sam’s crossover potential in the explosive Season 2 finale of NCIS: Hawai‘i titled “Dies Irae.” Jane Tennant (Vanessa Lachey) and Kate Whistler (Tori Anderson) found themselves deep in a mission gone sideways in Venezuela — and Sam, operating from Morocco, stepped in to help stabilize the chaos. If you recall, Morocco is exactly where Hetty Lange (Linda Hunt) sent Sam and his longtime partner G. Callen (Chris O’Donnell) during NCIS: LA’s series finale.
The handoff between shows was seamless — a testament to the ever-growing, interconnected NCIS universe. In a sense, this wasn’t just a cameo. It was a test drive for Sam Hanna’s next chapter.
According to Deadline, LL Cool J will recur in multiple episodes throughout Season 3 of NCIS: Hawai‘i, with some regularity. While exact episode counts are still under wraps, it’s safe to say fans will be seeing a lot more of Sam’s signature calm-under-pressure demeanor, tactical precision, and perhaps a few playful moments of culture shock in paradise.
A Warm Island Welcome: Why Sam Fits Right In
“One of the most beautiful things about working on NCIS: Hawai‘i is the show’s ability to bring the franchise together,” said star Vanessa Lachey in an official statement. “We had so much fun spreading the aloha during the triple crossover. Now we have the amazing opportunity to bring Sam Hanna to Hawai‘i to help solve cases — and maybe have a few laughs in the process.”
Lachey welcomed LL Cool J to the ohana — the Hawaiian word for family — and that’s exactly what the franchise is evolving into: a sprawling, familial network of agents connected by loyalty, shared missions, and deep-rooted respect.
This casting move marks a significant first in NCIS history. While characters like Tony DiNozzo, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, and Abby Sciuto have appeared across shows, Sam Hanna is the first major character from one NCIS spin-off (Los Angeles) to join another (Hawai‘i) on a long-term recurring basis. It’s a bold move — one that echoes the structural fluidity of franchises like One Chicago, where characters regularly shift between precincts and firehouses.
What About Callen? And Sam’s Life in LA?
Of course, any fan of NCIS: LA will ask the obvious: what about G. Callen? What about Sam’s life in California?
While NCIS: LA offered closure for Sam’s storyline — his children are grown, he’s widowed, and his professional ties to OSP are winding down — the door is still cracked open. Sam and Callen were last seen heading to Morocco to follow up on a cryptic mission handed down by Hetty herself. Whether that mission concluded or is still ongoing is unknown.
Showrunners have yet to confirm whether Callen might make an appearance on NCIS: Hawai‘i, either via video calls or the occasional tropical guest visit. But with Sam now stationed — at least part-time — in Hawai‘i, the future is full of possibilities.
What we do know is this: Sam’s transition is rooted in freedom. There are no dependents tying him down, no partner he’s sworn to stick beside 24/7, and no office politics left to play. He’s free to be the lone wolf again — albeit one who occasionally works with a new pack.
Sam Hanna’s Future in the NCIS Universe
There’s a lot riding on LL Cool J’s new role in NCIS: Hawai‘i. His addition could rejuvenate the show’s dynamics while bringing in longtime fans of NCIS: LA. It’s also a clever way for CBS to honor the legacy of Los Angeles without letting its beloved characters vanish into thin air.
More importantly, it’s proof that the NCIS franchise still knows how to surprise its audience. In an age where spin-offs are often treated as standalone entities, Hawai‘i is setting a new precedent for shared narrative DNA — a more connected, character-driven universe that rewards long-time viewership.
For Sam Hanna, this is more than just a new assignment. It’s a reinvention — a reminder that in a world of shifting alliances and closed chapters, some stories are far from over.
Welcome to the island, Sam. Now let’s get to work.
