Three whole months have passed since CBS canceled one of the best NCIS series, and fans still mourn this unexpected loss. In April 2024, NCIS: Hawai’i was canceled after three seasons, which surprised not only the ever-dedicated viewers but also showrunners Jan Nash and Christopher Silber, who recently opened up about it to TVLine. NCIS: Hawai’i is a spin-off of the long-running series NCIS and the fourth show in the entire NCIS franchise.
According to the creators, NCIS: Hawai’i Season 3 finale would not have ended the way it did if they had known a cancelation was coming. They said, “We were obviously surprised. If we’d known it was coming, we probably wouldn’t have ended the series on a cliffhanger. The fact that the studio and the network didn’t stop us makes it seem like they might not have seen it coming, either. We loved our show and know other people loved it, too, but the TV business is a fickle mistress, and one can’t take business decisions personally. But it still stings.”
At the same time, the series’ execs also shared a few details about plans for a fourth season if NCIS: Hawai’i had not been scratched, saying, “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.” If you’re like me, you’re still reeling from the sudden cancellation of NCIS: Hawai’i. Just when things were heating up, CBS pulled the plug—and left us hanging. But what if I told you there’s a whole roadmap of what would’ve happened in Season 4? Yep, that’s right. Buckle up, because we’re diving deep into the plotlines, twists, and cliffhangers that fans never got to see unfold.
Jane Tennant’s Life-Changing Decision
Season 3 ended on a high-stakes note. Jane Tennant (played by the brilliant Vanessa Lachey) was offered a classified assignment that could separate her from her team—and her family. Season 4 was set to explore the emotional and tactical aftermath of her choice. Would she take the mission and risk everything?
The Team’s Future Without Their Leader
Without Tennant, the dynamic of the team would have shifted drastically. Kai (Alex Tarrant) and Lucy (Yasmine Al-Bustami) were poised to step up. Season 4 planned to test their leadership chops in real-world, high-pressure scenarios.
A Global Crime Syndicate Enters the Chat
Producers teased the arrival of a new villain—one not just limited to Hawai’i, but tied to international espionage. Think NCIS meets Mission Impossible. This crime syndicate was slated to operate across multiple countries, making Season 4 the most global one yet.
The Return of Old Enemies
Fans would’ve seen the return of some familiar foes. Yes, that means former double agents and rogue military officers. The writers hinted at a full-circle moment with adversaries from Season 1.
So, what would’ve happened in NCIS: Hawai’i Season 4? A lot. Emotional reckonings, game-changing missions, shocking betrayals, and some well-deserved character growth. Sadly, we may never see it unfold—but that doesn’t mean we can’t imagine how amazing it would have been. To every fan who’s still holding on—keep the faith. Sometimes the best stories are the ones we create ourselves.
