Months after its unintentional season 3 cliffhanger ending, NCIS: Hawai’i season 4’s scrapped story is revealed by showrunners Jan Nash, Christopher Silber, and Matt Bosack. Launched in 2021, the latest expansion series in the evolving NCIS universe introduced Vanessa Lachey’s Jane Tennant and her team who are based in Hawai’i. For three years, they worked on cases on the island, but occasionally, they would work with the Major Case Response Team. As with its parent series, NCIS: Hawai’i had become a beloved weekly show for many. So when it was unceremoniously cancelled, there was an immediate uproar.
Speaking with TV Line, Nash, Silber, and Bosack reveal what would have been the story for NCIS: Hawai’i season 4. For context, season 3’s send-off, which ended up being the series finale, wrapped up with Jane reuniting with Maggie Shaw. Unfortunately, before she can say the reason for her unexpected visit, the episode capped off. Read the showrunners’ full quote about what’s supposed to be next below: While not fully fleshed out, we had a general idea of where the Maggie story was going. It would have eventually intersected with Jane Tennant’s mother, but it was also going to move back into the dark world of Tennant’s spy past, using those stories to increase our understanding of who Jane was, but also to learn more about her team in the process.
The NCIS: Hawai’i fandom is still recovering from CBS’s shocking cancellation of the beloved spin-off. Just when fans thought the series was gaining momentum, it was abruptly pulled after Season 3, leaving a jaw-dropping cliffhanger. And now, to twist the knife further, producers have revealed what was supposed to happen in Season 4—and trust us, it was epic. In this article, we’ll dive deep into the untold Season 4 storyline that NCIS: Hawai’i fans will never get to see. Buckle up, because this ride includes shocking betrayals, surprise returns, and a major franchise crossover that could’ve rocked the NCIS universe.
Why Was NCIS: Hawai’i Canceled in the First Place?
Despite solid ratings and a growing fanbase, CBS pulled the plug on NCIS: Hawai’i after Season 3. So, what gives?
Ratings vs. Budget
CBS claimed it was a financial decision. Though the show had decent viewership, filming in Hawaii meant higher production costs. It became a classic case of “not enough bang for the buck.”
Strategic Shifts at CBS
Insiders also hint that CBS wanted to redirect resources toward newer shows or other NCIS projects in development. Some say NCIS: Origins got the greenlight as a younger, cheaper series.
The Season 3 Cliffhanger That Left Us Hanging
Before we get into the scrapped Season 4 plot, let’s talk about that cliffhanger. Season 3 ended with Special Agent Jane Tennant’s plane being shot down mid-flight. It was a jaw-dropper that suggested a full-blown conspiracy was at play.
Tennant’s Fate Was Meant to Be a Major Arc
Producers confirmed Tennant would have survived, but barely. She was going to be missing for several episodes, sparking a massive manhunt and putting the entire NCIS: Hawai’i team in crisis mode.
Season 4 Was Meant to Redefine the Series
The now-shelved storyline for Season 4 would have taken the show to a whole new level. Here’s everything we now know about what could have been.
A Deeper Government Conspiracy Unfolds
Season 4 would’ve pulled back the curtain on a government-level conspiracy involving rogue military contractors, corrupt officials, and international espionage. Tennant’s downing wasn’t random—it was part of a targeted attack to silence her.
A Long-Awaited NCIS Crossover Was in the Works
Perhaps the most exciting reveal? Season 4 was supposed to feature a massive crossover with the main NCIS series and possibly NCIS: Sydney.
Harmon & Tennant Together?
Yep, there were early talks of bringing back Gibbs—or at least name-dropping him in a major way to link Tennant’s investigation to past NCIS events.
Whistlers’ Career Twist Would Shock Fans
Lucy Tara, aka Whistler, was set to leave the FBI and officially join NCIS. Her transition was meant to bring some internal drama to the team, especially with Tennant missing and her leadership role up for grabs.
Kai’s Dark Turn Was Coming
Agent Kai Holman, the laid-back surfer dude with a troubled past, was going to spiral. Season 4 would have explored his breaking point—possibly even pushing him to question whether he belonged in law enforcement at all.
Boom! Action Was About to Go Global
Season 4 wasn’t just going to stay in Hawaii. A large part of the plot was going international—think Japan, the Philippines, even Australia. The global conspiracy needed global storytelling, and producers were ready to expand the scope big-time.
Jane Tennant: Framed & Hunted
After surviving the crash, Tennant was going to be on the run. She’d be framed for crimes she didn’t commit. Think The Fugitive meets NCIS—a top agent trying to clear her name while hunting the truth.
Team Loyalties Would Be Tested
With Tennant out of the picture (at least temporarily), the team dynamic was going to shift dramatically. Some members would begin doubting her innocence. Internal power struggles were going to hit hard.
Relationship Turmoil Ahead
Fans loved the Lucy and Kate relationship—but Season 4 was going to test it. Lucy’s career change and Kate’s new role as acting lead agent would cause major tension. One of them might have been forced to choose between love and duty.
Boone’s Departure Was Planned
Rumor has it that Jesse Boone, played by Noah Mills, was being written out mid-season. But it wouldn’t be a quiet exit—his storyline was supposed to end in tragedy or heroic sacrifice, further shaking the team.
Ties to NCIS Lore & Easter Eggs
Writers were crafting scenes that would connect back to past NCIS legends—names like Ziva David, Tony DiNozzo, and even Gibbs were going to pop up in conversations or files. The franchise connections were going to run deep.
A Hacker Threat Bigger Than Ever
A new antagonist—an elite hacker with ties to multiple terrorist cells—was going to emerge. This villain wasn’t just tech-savvy, but deeply personal. One of the team’s own had unknowingly helped them years ago.
Betrayal From Within
Here’s the real kicker: someone inside the NCIS Hawai’i office was going to betray the team. This mole arc was the backbone of Season 4—and fans never got to find out who it was.
What Could Have Been: The Legacy of NCIS: Hawai’i
It’s tough knowing we’ll never see this intense, layered, and emotionally charged season come to life. NCIS: Hawai’i was hitting its stride—and just as it was about to level up, the curtain dropped.
Fans can only hope that elements of the scrapped Season 4 might be recycled into other NCIS projects in the future.
Conclusion: A Promising Future Lost Too Soon
The producers behind NCIS: Hawai’i clearly had big plans—and it’s heartbreaking those stories won’t see the light of day. From major character arcs to franchise-wide connections, Season 4 was going to be a game-changer.
But in true NCIS fashion, fans aren’t giving up. Online petitions, fan campaigns, and demands for closure continue to flood CBS. And who knows? Maybe one day we’ll get a special, a spin-off, or even a reboot. Until then, we’ll just have to imagine what might have been.
