Sam Hanna may have said goodbye to NCIS: Los Angeles, but retirement was never really his style. After 14 seasons, LL Cool J is giving his iconic agent a fresh chapter with a recurring role on NCIS: Hawai‘i, proving the franchise isn’t done with one of its most beloved characters.
First teased in the NCIS: Hawai‘i Season 2 finale, Sam’s return felt less like a cameo and more like a passing of the torch. Now stationed in paradise, he brings his trademark calm, tactical precision, and quiet authority to Jane Tennant’s team—along with a little culture shock under the Hawaiian sun.
This marks a rare move in the NCIS universe: a major character shifting from one spin-off to another long-term. It also keeps the spirit of NCIS: LA alive while expanding Hawai‘i’s emotional stakes.
For fans, it’s simple—Sam Hanna’s story isn’t over. It’s just island-hopping. 🌺