What Is the Buzz About a Crossover Between NCIS: Hawaiʻi and NCIS: Sydney?
If you’re a longtime NCIS fan—or just someone who loves high-stakes procedural drama—you’ve probably wondered: could NCIS: Hawaiʻi ever crossover with NCIS: Sydney? The idea sounds epic. Two NCIS teams from totally different corners of the world—Hawaiʻi and Australia—joining forces. But how realistic is it? Let’s dive into what we know so far.
The NCIS Franchise: A Shared Universe
Before we get into crossover speculation, it helps to understand that NCIS isn’t just a single show. It’s a sprawling franchise:
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The original NCIS (Washington, D.C.)
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NCIS: Hawaiʻi (set in Oʻahu)
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NCIS: Sydney (down under, in Australia)
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There’s also NCIS: Origins, and others in the extended universe.
This shared-DNA universe gives crossovers a foundation: same “NCIS-verse,” different locations.
What the Showrunners Have Said
Morgan O’Neill’s Optimism
Morgan O’Neill, the showrunner of NCIS: Sydney, has expressed genuine interest in crossovers. He told TVLine, “never say never” when it comes to meeting with Hawaiʻi or the original NCIS. His reasoning? The universe is “stitched together by a common DNA.”
He even floated ideas for logistics—video calls or remote appearances, for instance—as a way to bridge the geographic gap.
Steven D. Binder’s Take
On the NCIS side, co-showrunner Steven D. Binder has also weighed in. He acknowledged the logistical challenges of travel and scheduling, especially with international spin-offs. Still, he didn’t rule crossovers out entirely.
He mentioned there are “ways” to bring characters together, particularly given the evolving NCIS universe (with the cancellation of Hawaiʻi but the rise of Sydney and new prequel series).
What the Cast Thinks
Jason Antoon (Ernie Malik) Speaks Out
Jason Antoon, who plays Ernie Malik on NCIS: Hawaiʻi, told HELLO! magazine that a crossover would be “amazing.” He imagines scenarios like sending Vanessa Lachey’s character, Jane Tennant, to Sydney—though he admitted it’s not likely to happen this season.
Olivia Swann (Michelle Mackey) Weighs In
On the other side, Olivia Swann, who stars in NCIS: Sydney, has also voiced crossover dreams. In interviews, she said she’d love for Katrina Law’s Jessica Knight (from the original NCIS) to show up in Sydney.
She didn’t stop there—Swann even said she’d happily go to Hawaiʻi if asked. That shows genuine enthusiasm, not just PR talk.
Real-World Challenges: Why It’s Not That Simple
Geography and Travel
Yes, Sydney and Hawaiʻi are far apart. According to some estimates:
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It’s about a 10-hour flight from Hawaiʻi to Sydney.
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From Washington, D.C., where the flagship NCIS is based, to Hawaiʻi is even longer.
That kind of travel isn’t just a plot hurdle—it’s a production headache. Coordinating schedules, writing plausible storylines, and justifying the travel on-screen all add complexity.
Budget Constraints
Large-scale crossovers mean more money: production costs, cast travel, location shoots, and more. With NCIS: Hawaiʻi already canceled (as of its third season), the network may be more cautious about financing big crossover events.
The Status of NCIS: Hawaiʻi
Cancellation Reality
Sadly for fans, NCIS: Hawaiʻi has been canceled. CBS ended the show after three seasons, which puts a real damper on long-term crossover plans.
Without a continuing Hawaiʻi series, bringing its characters into Sydney or other NCIS shows would rely heavily on guest appearances rather than full-blown joint seasons.
Legacy and Possibility of Returns
Even though the show is canceled, that doesn’t mean characters can’t pop up elsewhere. Binder’s comments suggest that crossovers are still on the table, even if only as one-off events.
Why a Crossover Would Be Amazing (Narratively)
International Storytelling Potential
Bringing together the Hawaiʻi and Sydney teams could unlock so many storytelling possibilities:
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Naval crime investigations that span hemispheres
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A shared mission that ties U.S. operations with Australian Federal Police (AFP)
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Character development: how U.S. agents adapt to Australian protocols, and vice versa
Fan Appeal
Let’s face it—fans love crossovers. When universes collide, viewership spikes. Three-way crossovers have already happened in the NCIS franchise (e.g., NCIS, NCIS: Hawaiʻi, and NCIS: LA) in the past.
Fans who watch only one show might tune into another just for a crossover episode. It’s good for ratings, and it deepens the franchise’s lore.
What Mechanisms Could Make the Crossover Work
Guest Appearances Instead of Full Crossovers
The easiest and most cost-effective way: have characters from one show make guest spots in another. For example, one or two Sydney agents could fly to Hawaiʻi (or vice versa) for a mission, then return.
Morgan O’Neill specifically suggested MTAC video conferences or remote appearances instead of always doing in-person travel. Limited Special Episodes
Another idea: a special crossover event—a one-off or two-episode arc. That way, the story justifies the expense and fan hype, without committing to seasons of cross-location shoots.
Remote Collaboration
In modern TV, you don’t always need physical presence. Tech (within the show’s universe) can explain away distance. Characters could collaborate over secure video links, share intel, or jointly tackle a cyber-crime that spans continents.
What the Fans Are Saying
Fan Theories & Hope
On Reddit and fan forums, people have floated crossover hopes more than once. Some suggest that, even with Hawaiʻi canceled, characters from that series might still show up in Sydney.
Others note that crossovers in the NCIS world have a history—and they hope Sydney’s renewal (it’s been renewed for Season 3) will give the network more flexibility.
Skeptics and Realists
Not everyone’s convinced. Some fans argue that crossovers would feel forced or repetitive. There are also fans who worry: would these crossovers prioritize spectacle over well-written plots? The distance between locations is a practical concern, too.
How a Crossover Could Impact the NCIS Brand
Strengthening the Global Franchise
A successful Sydney–Hawaiʻi crossover could strengthen NCIS’s international presence. It’s not just an American universe anymore—it becomes truly global.
Attracting New Viewers
If done right, this could pull Australian viewers deeper into the NCIS franchise, and vice versa. Fans of Sydney might check out previous episodes of Hawaiʻi, and long-time NCIS fans would be curious to see how their beloved agents operate down under.
Risk vs Reward
But there’s risk. High production costs, scheduling nightmares, and potential creative mismatches could make a crossover difficult. The payoff has to be big enough for CBS and Paramount+ to justify it.
What Might Happen Next
Monitoring Contracts and Renewals
Now that NCIS: Sydney has been renewed for Season 3, the door is more open for guest appearances or crossover scripts. If key cast members are still available and willing, they might write in cross-franchise story arcs.
Keeping an Eye on Interviews
Fans should watch what the producers and cast say in upcoming interviews. If Morgan O’Neill or other execs continue expressing openness, plans may evolve. The same goes for actors: if someone like Jason Antoon or Olivia Swann vocalizes their willingness to cross over, that could push things forward.
Special Event Episodes
A likely near-term scenario: instead of a full-blown, permanent crossover, we might see a special episode or mini-arc. That would be a test bed—can the logistics work? Do audiences respond? If yes, more might follow.
Why It Might Be More Likely Than You Think
Previous Crossover Precedent
Crossovers are not new to NCIS. There was a big franchise-spanning event involving NCIS, NCIS: Hawaiʻi, and NCIS: Los Angeles. That history shows it’s possible—and successful.
Creative Willingness
Both showrunners and cast have publicly indicated they want a crossover. That’s huge. When the creative teams buy in, that’s half the battle.
Strategic Benefits
From a business standpoint, crossovers drive streaming, engagement, and buzz. For networks and platforms like CBS and Paramount+, those are compelling reasons to explore the idea more deeply.
Conclusion
So, could NCIS: Hawaiʻi crossover with NCIS: Sydney? Short answer: yes—and there’s genuine interest on all sides. But it’s not a sure thing. Geography, cost, and the cancellation of Hawaiʻi complicate the picture. Still, thanks to optimistic showrunners, willing actors, and a passionate fanbase, the idea isn’t just a fantasy. We might well see guest appearances, special episodes, or even a large-scale crossover down the road if the stars align. Until then, it remains an exciting possibility—one that could deepen the NCIS universe in a global way.
FAQs
1. Has there ever been a crossover between NCIS: Hawaiʻi and NCIS: Sydney before?
No, not yet. While the franchise has done three-way crossovers (like NCIS, NCIS: Hawaiʻi, and NCIS: LA), a Hawaiʻi–Sydney crossover has not yet been produced.
2. Why was NCIS: Hawaiʻi canceled?
CBS canceled NCIS: Hawaiʻi after its third season. While specific internal reasons weren’t publicly detailed, cancellation typically involves ratings, budget constraints, and strategic shifts.
3. Is NCIS: Sydney still on the air?
Yes. NCIS: Sydney has been renewed for a third season, which strengthens the potential for future crossovers.
4. How likely is a full crossover versus a guest appearance?
Based on comments from showrunners, guest appearances or a limited special event are more likely in the short term than a permanent, season-spanning crossover—especially given logistical and financial challenges.
5. What are some realistic ways a crossover could happen?
Possible formats include:
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A special two-episode arc where characters travel
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Remote collaboration via video (MTAC-style)
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Guest spots from NCIS: Sydney cast on NCIS or vice versa
If you’d like, I can map out a few possible crossover episode ideas based on character dynamics—do you want me to do that?
