Back in 2003, few could have predicted that a JAG spinoff about Navy criminal investigators would grow into one of television’s biggest franchises. Yet here we are: NCIS has not only dominated U.S. ratings for years but has also expanded into an international juggernaut.
The original NCIS proved that audiences love a mix of military intrigue, procedural mystery, and playful team banter. That winning formula inspired spinoffs with their own unique flavors. NCIS: Los Angeles brought a sleek, high-action, undercover vibe with Chris O’Donnell and LL Cool J leading the charge. NCIS: New Orleans leaned into southern charm and music, with Scott Bakula giving it a laid-back yet heartfelt tone. The newest entry, NCIS: Sydney, marks the franchise’s first international installment, adding an Australian setting, a joint U.S.-Aussie task force dynamic, and a whole new roster of characters for fans to root for.
But the franchise’s reach extends far beyond the spinoffs. NCIS airs in over 200 territories worldwide, often ranking among the top international exports. The mix of universal storytelling — crime, justice, and camaraderie — and easily relatable character dynamics makes it just as appealing in Europe, Asia, and Latin America as it is in the United States.
With rumors of more global versions in the works and the original series still going strong, NCIS has proven it’s not just a show — it’s a brand, a comfort watch, and, for millions of fans, a TV tradition.
