LL COOL J’s Sam Hanna is back in action in the NCIS universe!
You heard that right—LL COOL J is back on NCIS, and fans are losing it. If you’ve missed his swagger, charm, and action-packed energy on screen, then buckle up because his return is everything you hoped for and more. His guest appearance in the special episode titled “A Little Extra Dessert with Dinner” is already creating serious buzz across the internet. Let’s break down what’s really happening in this must-watch return and why LL COOL J’s comeback might just be the most exciting NCIS moment of the year.
A few weeks after the Grammy Award-winning artist, 57, teased his return to the set of the long-running CBS show, PEOPLE can exclusively debut photos of him in character as Sam Hanna. In several photos, LL COOL J, born James Todd Smith, can be seen donning a serious look as he returns to the NCIS office while donning a gray suit and blue button up shirt. It appears that he will be working with the current NCIS team to crack a case, as he is featured with several cast members in some stills.
In one snap, he can be seen chatting with Katrina Law’s character Jessica Knight while he stands alongside Wilmer Valderama’s Nicholas Torres, Sean Murray’s Timothy McGee and Gary Cole’s Alden Parker in another image. When asked about his decision to come back to the role of Sam, the actor explains to PEOPLE that it was a no-brainer, saying, “I like the character, he’s beloved and it’s so fun playing him. I don’t see why I wouldn’t come back.”
LL COOL J is set to return in episode 18 on April 21, titled “After the Storm.” In the episode, the NCIS team tracks down a suspect, who refuses to talk to anyone but Sam, while investigating a trio of combat vets who are found murdered in a D.C. motel room, according to a synopsis. The “Mama Said Knock You Out” rapper tells PEOPLE that the episode has a lot of the classic elements that NCIS fans love from the show, which has run for over two decades. “It has all the same chemistry that people love plus more action, thrills, and suspense,” the musician and actor says. “It’s a big episode for the flagship show. You get a little extra dessert with dinner.”
LL COOL J, whose real name is James Todd Smith, plays Special Agent Sam Hanna. He’s a former Navy SEAL turned undercover operative, known for his no-nonsense attitude, sharp instincts, and lowkey badassery. Originally, he was a staple on NCIS: Los Angeles, helping make it one of the most successful spin-offs in the franchise.
On March 20, the “Luv U Better” artist initially teased his return in a joint Instagram post with NCIS which featured a clip with the words, “Guess who’s back.” The screen then revealed LL COOL J, who told fans, that he was “back on set, baby!” He added, “NCIS. Let’s get it.” The clip then revealed that he would be returning to the series as Sam Hanna on the April 21 episode of the show. The post was captioned: “Like no time has passed.”
At the time, he opened up about returning to the NCIS franchise, saying that it felt like “good energy” and “good vibes.” “It just felt right to me,” he added. “It felt like, ‘You know what? Let’s have some fun. Let’s do this.’ ” “The story definitely wasn’t over at all, that’s for sure,” he said of his character’s NCIS journey. “We’re finding out more about Sam, but remember, this is a different thing because Sam was transferred here.”
LL COOL J’s return to NCIS in “A Little Extra Dessert with Dinner” isn’t just a moment—it’s a movement. It’s a shot of adrenaline for the franchise and a nod to loyal fans who’ve stuck around. Whether you’re in it for the nostalgia, the action, or the pure charisma, this episode delivers. If the goal was to remind everyone why LL COOL J is a legend—mission accomplished.
