There are a few possibilities for how the other NCIS: Hawai’i characters can reappear in NCIS. The main possibility is Jane reappearing via her connection with Nick. During the NCIS and NCIS: Hawai’i crossover episodes, Jane and Nick had noticeable romantic chemistry. Their interactions even implied that they had been a couple before, or had at least had a brief fling. However, nothing came of it. There has always been an interesting tension around them, but neither has acted on their interests, which means their interactions have remained limited outside the crossover episodes.
Jane’s appearance in NCIS was likely until Nick started dating Jessica’s sister, Robin. Since then, all hopes for Jane to be featured again in NCIS via her romantic connection with Nick have practically been killed. As Nick and Robin’s relationship becomes more serious, it also lowers the possibility that they will break up. It is still possible for Jane to return as a colleague for the MCRT, however, she is not the only character with the possibility to reappear in the flagship.
Just because NCIS: Hawai’i has stopped airing, it doesn’t mean that the team has stopped working. As such, NCIS could liaise with their satellite office in Hawai’i for help at any time. NCIS: Hawai’i’s other characters like Ernie Malik, Jesse Boone, and Kate Whistler all have strong possibilities of joining the original series as well. Each member of the NCIS: Hawai’i team has invaluable skills which made the team so great. They could easily apply these skills to their work on NCIS if they were to appear in a crossover episode or in a small cameo. Just because NCIS: Hawai’i has stopped airing, it doesn’t mean that the team has stopped working. As such, NCIS could liaise with their satellite office in Hawai’i for help at any time.
The Growing NCIS Universe: Where It All Began
The NCIS franchise has exploded into a global television empire. It all started with NCIS (originally a spinoff of JAG), and now includes international hits like NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: New Orleans, and the newest island-based adventure, NCIS: Hawai’i.
But here’s the big question fans can’t stop asking:
Can NCIS: Hawai’i characters crossover into the main NCIS series? Let’s dive into everything you need to know.
Meet the NCIS: Hawai’i Crew
Special Agent Jane Tennant
Played by Vanessa Lachey, Tennant is the first female lead of an NCIS series. She’s bold, strategic, and runs the Pearl Harbor office like a boss. Her leadership is exactly the kind of energy that would shake things up on the DC-based NCIS team.
Ernie Malik – The Cyber Wizard
Ernie (Jason Antoon) is quirky, brainy, and the heartbeat of NCIS: Hawai’i’s tech department. He brings levity and genius-level hacking to every case. Imagine him trading tech jargon with Kasie Hines in Washington, D.C. It’d be TV gold.
Kai Holman – The Local Hero
Kai (Alex Tarrant) brings both edge and emotion. As a local boy with a complicated past, he has street smarts and loyalty. His investigative instincts would gel well with the likes of Alden Parker or Nick Torres.
Lucy Tara & Kate Whistler – Fan-Favorite Power Couple
These two have made waves for their powerful LGBTQ+ representation. Lucy (Yasmine Al-Bustami) is an energetic agent, and Kate (Tori Anderson) is a sharp Defense Intelligence Agency officer. Together, they’ve built a relationship that fans would love to see evolve in a crossover setting.
Crossovers Are Nothing New in the NCIS World
Previous NCIS Crossover Successes
Crossover episodes are already canon in the NCIS universe. Remember:
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NCIS and NCIS: Los Angeles teamed up several times.
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NCIS: New Orleans crossed over with the original.
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Even NCIS: Hawai’i has already linked up with NCIS: Los Angeles—cue Sam Hanna (LL Cool J)!
These collaborations show that CBS isn’t shy about blending worlds.
Timeline and Story Continuity: Does It Work?
Same Universe, Shared Timeline
Yes, all the NCIS shows operate in the same timeline. That means no time-traveling, alternate universe headaches—it’s all interconnected. So from a writing and continuity standpoint, there’s no reason characters from Hawai’i can’t show up in Washington.
Behind the Scenes: What CBS Has Said
Producers Teasing Possibilities
Producers and showrunners have teased future crossovers, especially after the positive reception to LL Cool J’s appearance in NCIS: Hawai’i. And let’s be real—ratings spike every time crossovers happen.
Fan Demand = Network Motivation
Fans flood social media every time a crossover occurs, begging for more. And when fans talk, networks listen.
Why NCIS: Hawai’i Characters Should Join NCIS
Fresh Dynamics and Drama
Injecting Tennant and crew into the D.C. team would breathe new life into old dynamics. Imagine Torres flirting with Lucy. Or Tennant and Parker clashing over command styles. Instant tension. Instant ratings.
Global-Scale Threats Need Bigger Teams
If NCIS wants to tackle large-scale global cases (terrorism, cyber warfare, deep-state conspiracies), combining forces just makes sense.
How It Could Happen: Possible Storylines
Tennant Called to Washington
A military scandal with ties to Pearl Harbor could pull Tennant into D.C.—temporarily or maybe even permanently.
Ernie Teams Up With Kasie
Cyberattack on NCIS headquarters? Bring in Ernie to back up Kasie and McGee.
Lucy & Kate’s Relationship Tested Across Series
What if one gets assigned to D.C., while the other remains in Hawai’i? Long-distance romance drama and national security stakes? Yes, please.
Challenges to a Crossover
Filming Logistics
Getting both casts in the same city at the same time? Tough, but not impossible. Hawaii and D.C. are a long flight apart, but so were L.A. and NOLA.
Budget Considerations
Crossover episodes require higher budgets, which CBS might only greenlight for special occasions (sweeps week, season premieres/finales).
Crossovers Can Boost Ratings and Fan Loyalty
Crossover episodes consistently see ratings jumps, social media buzz, and strong critical reception. If NCIS wants to stay dominant in the procedural drama space, crossovers are a surefire way to keep the fan base loyal and engaged.
What Fans Are Saying
Across Reddit, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook, fans love the idea of an expanded universe. Memes, fan fiction, and wishlist casting ideas are everywhere. The buzz is already there.
How CBS Can Make It Happen
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Mini-Arcs Across Shows: 3-part storylines that begin in NCIS and wrap in Hawai’i.
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Character Transfers: Have one or two characters switch offices for a few episodes.
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Joint Task Forces: Think Marvel Avengers, but in military intel.
The Real Power of the NCIS Brand
NCIS isn’t just a show—it’s a legacy. And that legacy gets stronger when its characters interact across series. It shows continuity, community, and a shared mission that fans can rally behind.
Final Verdict: YES, It Can—and Should—Happen
All signs point to a yes. From past success, character compatibility, and shared universe rules to fan demand and behind-the-scenes hints, everything’s aligned for NCIS: Hawai’i characters to appear in the main NCIS.
It’s not a question of “can.”
It’s a question of when.
