NCIS: New York Trailer Brings LL Cool J Back as Sam Hanna for a New Chapter

The NCIS universe is heading to New York, and one of its most recognizable agents is coming home.

CBS has unveiled the first trailer for NCIS: New York, the newest addition to the long-running NCIS franchise, giving fans their first real look at LL Cool J’s return as Special Agent Sam Hanna. The beloved character, originally introduced in NCIS: Los Angeles, is stepping into a new chapter as he joins forces with a brand-new team in his hometown.

For longtime fans, Sam Hanna’s return is perhaps the biggest reason to be excited.

LL Cool J spent 14 seasons playing Sam on NCIS: Los Angeles, and the character quickly became one of the most recognizable agents in the entire franchise. Since NCIS: LA ended in 2023, Sam has continued to appear in the wider NCIS universe, including appearances on NCIS: Hawai’i and the original NCIS. Now, he is finally getting a permanent new home.

And this time, it’s personal.

Sam Hanna Is Coming Home

The new series follows Sam as he returns to New York after years of special assignments and covert operations. His homecoming quickly turns into a dangerous investigation when his longtime friend, Navy reservist Jack Halloway, is found dead.

Rather than walking away from the case, Sam asks for permission to investigate.

That decision puts him directly into the middle of a mystery that could become the foundation of the entire series.

Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge Robyn Wells, played by Jennifer Beals, pairs Sam with Nick Schaeffer, a new agent portrayed by Scott Caan. Their first meeting already hints at the chemistry that could become one of the show’s biggest strengths.

Nick is described as a roguish agent, while Sam brings years of experience and a reputation for getting the job done. Their personalities may be very different, but that’s precisely what could make the partnership work.

LL Cool J and Scott Caan Lead a New Team

The trailer makes it clear that NCIS: New York isn’t simply bringing Sam Hanna back for nostalgia.

He is helping lead an entirely new team.

Alongside LL Cool J and Scott Caan are Jennifer Beals as Robyn Wells, Jacqueline Byers as NCIS Special Agent Addison “Addy” Ross, Shane Harper as NCIS Special Agent Wyatt Sellers, and Devin Druid as tech specialist Sean Sullivan.

Together, they will tackle high-stakes cases connected to one of America’s most important cities and ports.

That gives the new series a distinctive identity while keeping the familiar investigative formula that has made NCIS such a television powerhouse.

A Fresh NCIS Setting With a Familiar Face

One of the biggest challenges for any NCIS spinoff is finding a way to feel familiar without simply copying the shows that came before it.

NCIS: New York appears to be taking a straightforward approach: keep the franchise’s investigative DNA while allowing New York City itself to become part of the story.

The city offers a dramatically different environment from Los Angeles, Hawaii, Sydney, or the original Washington setting. From its massive port operations to its dense neighborhoods and international connections, New York provides countless possibilities for military-related investigations and national-security cases.

And having Sam Hanna at the center gives the series an immediate connection to the larger NCIS universe.

Sam Hanna’s Story Isn’t Over

Perhaps the most exciting part of NCIS: New York is that Sam isn’t being treated as a character who simply came back for one final appearance.

He is entering another major chapter.

After years of covert operations and high-risk assignments, returning to his hometown could force Sam to think differently about his career, his relationships, and the kind of agent he wants to be.

The death of his friend makes that transition even more personal.

Instead of arriving in New York simply to start another job, Sam arrives with unfinished business.

That could give the series a stronger emotional foundation than a typical procedural.

When Does NCIS: New York Premiere?

CBS has scheduled NCIS: New York to premiere on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET/PT, with episodes also streaming on Paramount+ the following day.

That makes the upcoming fall season particularly exciting for NCIS fans. After years of watching Sam Hanna move between different corners of the franchise, viewers will finally get to see what happens when he becomes the central figure of his own new team.

The first trailer suggests action, humor, personal stakes, and plenty of the familiar NCIS energy.

But there’s one question that will likely remain at the center of fan discussions:

Can Sam Hanna make New York his new home without leaving the past behind?

If the trailer is any indication, his next mission may be his most personal one yet.