As the NCIS universe continues expanding, one question is on fans’ minds: Will LL Cool J return as Sam Hanna next season? With NCIS, NCIS: Origins, and NCIS: Sydney set to dominate CBS Tuesdays this fall, the franchise is leaning heavily into interconnected storytelling—and that opens the door for beloved characters from past spinoffs, including Los Angeles, New Orleans, and Hawai’i, to reappear.
LL Cool J surprised fans with a long-awaited return in NCIS Season 22, Episode 18 (“After the Storm”), marking his first appearance since NCIS: Los Angeles ended. Though no longer serving as a special agent, the episode all but confirmed that Sam is considering rejoining the agency. “Seeing your team, working shoulder to shoulder with them, reminded me how much I missed it,” Sam admits to Director Vance (Rocky Carroll). Vance responds with an unmistakable invitation: “There’s always a place for you back at NCIS.”
That emotional moment ties directly to where NCIS: LA left off: Sam joining the mission to locate and rescue Hetty Lange, whose whereabouts—and well-being—remain shrouded in mystery. His unfinished business hints at future storylines that could easily lead back into the flagship series.
Executive producer Steven D. Binder recently told TV Insider that the creative team is more than open to bringing Sam—and other legacy characters—back into the fold. “LL always has a place at NCIS,” Binder said. “They all do. They’re pros. We love having them.”
But there’s one big obstacle: scheduling. LL Cool J’s packed agenda, which includes music, acting, producing, and live performances, makes coordinating return appearances difficult. Binder acknowledged the issue, saying, “It’s just people have very busy schedules, especially he does. So making it work is a logistical challenge—not because there’s not a desire and a will.”
Despite that hurdle, fans have good reason to stay hopeful. Sam Hanna’s return wasn’t framed as a farewell; instead, the episode deliberately left narrative breadcrumbs pointing toward future involvement. Binder’s excitement only reinforces that the franchise wants more Sam—if the timing works.
And with NCIS: Tony & Ziva arriving on Paramount+ this fall, crossovers and character reunions are likely to become more frequent than ever. The franchise seems poised for a new era of synergy, nostalgia, and long-awaited team-ups.
Should LL Cool J return full-time as Sam Hanna? And which other veterans from the NCIS universe do you want to see again?
