NCIS: Hawai’i co-showrunners Jan Nash, Christopher Silber and Matt Bosack are ready to talk about the island drama’s unfortunate fate. It was on April 26 that TVLine reported that NCIS: Hawai’i, despite growing its audience in Season 3, would not be back for a fourth season. Very soon afterwards, the series’ cast members one by one weighed in on the cancellation, while Nash and Silber chose radio silence — “obviously surprised” as they were by CBS‘ decision.
After all, NCIS: Hawai’i Season 3 had averaged 7.8 million total viewers and a 0.5 demo rating (with Live+7 playback data), up 4% in viewers vs. Season 2 (but down a tick in the demo). Out of the 14 drama series that CBS aired during the 2023-24 TV season, it ranked No. 6 in total audience (behind Tracker, NCIS, FBI, Blue Bloods and The Equalizer) and eighth in the demo. TVLine readers gave the unplanned series finale an average grade of “B.”
Explaining the cancellation decision back in May, CBS Entertainment president Amy Reisenbach said that NCIS: Hawai’i, amongst other ended shows, was a casualty of a drama slate that was simply too robust. “We had to make some really tough choices this year,” she said. “Everything came back [from the Hollywood strikes] really strong, but ultimately we have to look at the cohesiveness of the schedule flow. We have to evaluate the financials and the performance overall, and we make tough decisions.”
Sources tell TVLine that while there were “talks” about finding another home for the series, that didn’t pan out.” Ending a three-month silence on the matter, NCIS: Hawai’i co-showrunners Nash, Silber and Bosack agreed to an exclusive, joint email Q&A with TVLine, seen below.
When the Aloha Spirit Meets a Harsh Goodbye
We’ve all had TV heartbreaks, right? That gut-punch moment when a show you love ends too soon, and you’re left staring at the credits in disbelief. Well, that’s exactly what fans of NCIS: Hawai’i felt after the unexpected bombshell in April. The twist? Not just a shocking plot development—but the fact that it’s over. Yep, CBS canceled the series. But now, the showrunners are finally opening up, and it’s giving us a bittersweet mix of closure and “what could’ve been.”
Let’s dive into the real story behind the surprise ending, why it “still stings,” and what Season 4 might’ve looked like if fate had taken a different turn.
The Sudden Goodnight: Why the Cancelation Caught Everyone Off Guard
The Fans Didn’t See It Coming – Neither Did the Cast
When CBS pulled the plug on NCIS: Hawai’i, viewers weren’t the only ones left reeling. The cast and crew were just as blindsided. The show was still riding a solid wave of fan support, strong ratings, and passionate social engagement.
Why Cancel a Hit Show?
It’s the age-old mystery of network TV. Despite doing reasonably well in ratings, CBS decided not to renew the island-set spin-off. Industry insiders speculate it was part of a bigger reshuffling strategy for CBS’s primetime lineup. Translation: business politics, not performance.
Bosses Break Their Silence – And It’s Emotional
“It Still Stings,” Says Showrunner Matt Bosack
In a recent interview, Matt Bosack didn’t sugarcoat it. The cancelation hurt. “It still stings,” he admitted. For a team that poured their hearts into building something unique—mixing military drama with Hawaiian culture—this ending felt like an unfinished sentence.
Jan Nash Adds: “We Had So Much More to Tell”
Co-showrunner Jan Nash echoed the sentiment. “We had so many stories left,” she said. The cast had just hit their stride, and the arcs planned for Season 4 would’ve taken things to a whole new level.
Behind the April Surprise: What Was Planned All Along?
Nope, That Ending Wasn’t Written as a Goodbye
Here’s the kicker—the season finale wasn’t meant to be a series finale. That cliffhanger? It was supposed to set up the next chapter, not close the book.
Plot Points That Will Now Remain Mysteries
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Lucy’s return and her dynamic with Kate
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Jane Tennant’s deepening struggle balancing motherhood and command
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More crossover action with NCIS: LA and the main NCIS series
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A major villain reveal that was teased but never unveiled
What Season 4 Might’ve Been: A Glimpse Into the Unwritten Future
Jane Tennant’s Breaking Point
Season 4 would’ve seen Tennant pushed further than ever—both personally and professionally. Rumor has it, a deep dive into her past was on the docket, something fans had been craving.
A Bigger Spotlight on Team Members
The writers planned to give characters like Kai and Ernie expanded arcs. Expect major emotional beats and even some unexpected romances.
A Game-Changing Crossover
One of the biggest teases? A three-show crossover involving NCIS, NCIS: LA, and NCIS: Hawai’i that would’ve shaken up the entire franchise. Think Avengers-level coordination but in the NCIS universe.
Fan Outrage and Emotional Tributes Flood Social Media
#SaveNCISHawaii Trends Worldwide
Fans didn’t take the news lightly. Twitter exploded with support, petitions, and heartfelt messages for the cast. The hashtag #SaveNCISHawaii gained serious traction.
The Cast Responds with Love
Actors like Vanessa Lachey and Yasmine Al-Bustami shared emotional goodbyes on social media, thanking the fans for their loyalty and love. It wasn’t just a job for them—it was ‘ohana (family).
CBS’s Silence and What It Means for Other Shows
No Official Reason Given
While fans demanded clarity, CBS hasn’t offered a detailed explanation. The silence only fueled speculation, making the cancelation feel even more abrupt and unjustified.
Are Other Spin-offs in Danger?
With NCIS: LA also recently ending, some fans worry this might be a trend. Is the network making room for something new—or moving away from spin-offs altogether?
Will Another Network or Streaming Platform Save It?
The Hope for a Revival
Could Netflix, Paramount+, or another streamer pick up NCIS: Hawai’i? It wouldn’t be the first time fan outcry saved a show (hello, Brooklyn Nine-Nine).
What Needs to Happen
It’s all about numbers. If the fan campaigns continue and the viewership demand stays high, there’s always a chance.
How This Cancelation Impacts the NCIS Franchise
A Shift in the NCIS Universe
Losing Hawai’i creates a vacuum in the franchise’s storytelling. It was the only NCIS series with a female lead and a setting rich in diversity and culture.
Can the Core NCIS Fill the Gap?
With the original NCIS still going strong, it might absorb some of the lost momentum—but fans agree: Hawai’i brought something special to the table.
The Legacy of NCIS: Hawai’i
More Than Just a Show
NCIS: Hawai’i wasn’t just a procedural. It celebrated culture, diversity, and representation in a way that few shows do. That legacy will live on—even if the show doesn’t.
A Step Forward for Representation in Primetime
Having a woman of color leading a major network procedural was a big deal—and it shouldn’t be the last time we see that on screen.
Fans Aren’t Giving Up – And Neither Should You
The passion from the fanbase is loud, clear, and heartfelt. Whether it’s fan fiction, rewatches, or trending hashtags, this story isn’t over yet. And who knows? Maybe that Season 4 dream isn’t completely dead.
Conclusion: Bittersweet Goodbyes and Unfinished Business
So, yeah. It hurts. The cancelation of NCIS: Hawai’i left fans with more questions than answers and a big “what if” hanging in the air. But hearing from the showrunners gives us something real—closure, a little hope, and the reminder that what we had was pretty special. Maybe one day the tides will shift, and the islands will call us back again. Until then, mahalo for the memories.
