The NCIS universe just pulled a classic move: reintroduce a beloved face at a cliffhanger, then make them a part of the ongoing story. In the Season 2 finale of NCIS: Hawaiʻi, the show didn’t just end with tension — it dropped a game-changing cameo that’ll echo in Season 3. Yep, I’m talking about Sam Hanna (played by LL Cool J). Let’s break down what this reintroduction means, how it’s going to shift the show, and why fans are all over it.
What Happened in the Season Two Finale?
The Venezuela Ambush and the Crossroads
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Jane Tennant and Kate Whistler found themselves in dire straits in Venezuela — under attack, bullets flying, chaos everywhere.
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Just when things were about to get irreversibly bad, an unseen ally appears. That ally? Sam Hanna. He shows up in sniper overwatch mode, helping to protect Jane and Kate.
Sam Hanna’s Cameo Decrypted
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Last seen in NCIS: Los Angeles’s final moments (Morocco mission, saving Hetty, etc.), Sam Hanna shows up in Hawaiʻi after LA’s conclusion.
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He expresses that he was “in the neighborhood” and offers Tennant help in the future. The tone is friendly, supportive, but with enough mystery to hint that this isn’t just a one-off.
The Big Reveal — Sam Hanna Is Joining Season 3
Recurring Role, Not Just a Cameo
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After that finale, it was confirmed that LL Cool J will return as Sam Hanna in NCIS: Hawaiʻi Season 3 — not as a guest-star cameo only, but in a recurring role.
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This means he’ll show up across multiple episodes, influencing plots and team dynamics.
Why This Move Makes Sense
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NCIS: Los Angeles ended after 14 seasons. The network/studio saw an opportunity to carry forward a popular character into the Hawaiʻi spinoff. Hanna already has built-in audience love.
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Producers liked the chemistry between Vanessa Lachey’s Jane Tennant and Hanna during crossover events. It clearly resonated with both writers and viewers.
How Sam Hanna’s Role Will Change Hawaiʻi’s Dynamics
Blending Teams Across the NCIS-verse
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With Hanna working across territories, it helps knit NCIS: Hawaiʻi more tightly into the broader NCIS universe. Crossovers already happened; this deepens them.
Jane Tennant’s New Partner in Crimefighting
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Hanna brings decades of experience, a different style, and the gravitas of a longstanding fan favorite. Jane’s leadership may get a new foil or backup — depending on plot needs.
Narrative Opportunities and Conflicts
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Will Hanna continue part of the Office of Special Projects (OSP) while helping the Hawaiʻi team? Possibly. That opens up storylines about collaboration, resources, jurisdiction, loyalty.
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Potential conflicts: when to bring him in, how often, balancing his former LA ties with Hawaiʻi demands.
Fan Reactions & Expectations
Excitement Over Familiarity
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Fans of NCIS: LA are thrilled to see a beloved character continue somewhere. Rather than being “over,” Hanna lives on in the universe.
Questions About Screen Time & Role Depth
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Since he’s recurring, not full time, people wonder: How central will he be? Will he overshadow existing characters like Jesse Boon, Lucy Tara, Ernie Malik, or Kate Whistler?
Mixing Old and New Plot Threads
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Hanna’s arrival could tie up loose ends from NCIS: LA (e.g. the Morocco mission, his relationships there).
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Also could deepen Hawaiʻi arcs: repercussions of the Venezuela event, Jane’s leadership under pressure, etc.
Production Perspective
How LL Cool J Moved from LA to Hawaiʻi
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After NCIS: LA wrapped, producers pitched the idea and network/studio gave the green light. It wasn’t a last-minute addition; it was planned post-LA.
How Recurrence Helps Both Story & Budget
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Recurring status means flexibility — Hanna can pop in where story demands without needing to be in every episode. That helps with scheduling and budgetary constraints.
Potential Plotlines to Watch in Season 3
Backstory Closure from NCIS: LA
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Hanna’s Morocco mission, his relationships there (Hetty, Callen, others) may get revisited.
New Threats & Personal Stakes
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Given what happened in Hawaiʻi’s season 2 finale (attack in Venezuela, old enemies like Adrian Creel bouncing back), Hanna might be involved in preventing future disasters.
Internal Team Tensions
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Joining a well-established team means trust has to be built. Hanna may clash with team members, or be an outside influence they’re wary of initially.
Crossovers & Franchise Integration
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We might see more cross-show interactions (e.g. with NCIS, NCIS: LA, and NCIS: Hawaiʻi) given Hanna’s presence.
What This Means for the NCIS Franchise
Keeping Momentum After NCIS: LA’s End
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Lava-style transitions: when one show ends, keeping its popular characters active helps keep the fanbase invested.
Strengthening the Shared Universe
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Having characters cross over or move between shows deepens the shared universe; it’s not just a gimmick — it becomes part of how stories can unfold.
Risk & Reward
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If fans love Hanna’s recurring role, he could become an eventual series regular. If not handled well, it could feel like overload or distract from Hawaiʻi’s core ensemble.
Bottom Line
The reintroduction of Sam Hanna in NCIS: Hawaiʻi’s season 2 finale wasn’t just a fun cameo — it was a statement. LL Cool J’s Sam Hanna joining as a recurring character in Season 3 shifts the show’s trajectory, connects the NCIS universe more tightly, and offers fans both closure, nostalgia, and fresh storytelling. There are risks (crowding the cast, plot consistency), but overall, this move has huge potential.
Conclusion
You know how sometimes a character’s return changes everything? That’s what Sam Hanna’s arrival in NCIS: Hawaiʻi promises. From stepping in at the cliffhanger finale in Venezuela to officially joining the ongoing cast — this isn’t accidental fan service. It’s a strategic move to weave together the larger NCIS universe, give longtime viewers something familiar, and open new storytelling doors. If the show leans into this carefully, balancing Hanna’s depth with the existing team’s stories, Season 3 could be among Hawaiʻi’s strongest yet.
FAQs
Q1: Who is Sam Hanna and why is his return significant?
Sam Hanna is a longtime character from NCIS: Los Angeles (played by LL Cool J). His return is significant because it builds a bridge between NCIS: LA (which ended) and NCIS: Hawaiʻi, offering fans continuity and deepening the interconnectedness of the NCIS universe.
Q2: Is LL Cool J joining NCIS: Hawaiʻi full-time?
No, he’s joining in a recurring role, not as a series regular. He’ll appear multiple times but isn’t expected to be in every episode.
Q3: How did Sam Hanna show up in the Season 2 finale?
He appeared in an overwatch role during an attack on Jane Tennant and Kate Whistler in Venezuela. Jane called him, he offered help, and his presence changed the tide of the scene. It was a reintroduction after his last appearance in NCIS: LA.
Q4: What kind of story arcs can we expect with Hanna in Season 3?
Possible arcs include wrapping up unresolved threads from NCIS: LA, deeper involvement in Hawaiʻi’s threats (like those that ended Season 2), exploring Hanna’s relationship with Jane and the rest of the Hawaiʻi team, and possibly more crossover events.
Q5: Will Hanna’s role overshadow the existing cast?
That’s a risk. But from what’s been said, the plan appears to be integration rather than takeover. The showrunners seem keen to use Hanna to enhance the existing dynamics — not replace them. Good writing and balancing screen time will be key.
