CBS Studios President David Stapf and CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach have revealed the conditions and questions that would need considering for there to be more NCIS spinoffs. The procedural drama has grown with a multitude of series beyond the flagship show, with NCIS: Hawai’i and NCIS: Sydney ongoing. Two more spinoffs, NCIS: Origins and an untitled show about Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David, are also in production.
Speaking with Deadline, Stapf and Reisenbach revealed the conditions that would need to happen for more NCIS TV shows to be produced. When asked if more than five shows in the franchise could be on the air at once, the CBS presidents indicated it was a possibility, but the shows would need to feel justified in their existence. Check out what Stapf and Reisenbach had to say below:
David Stapf : Not necessarily. It will come down to the individual shows that we develop. I think if there’s the right timing and fit within the universe, then it doesn’t have to be limited to five.
Amy Reisenbach : We are always asking and challenging not only the writers who are pitching to us but ourselves, why now? Why does it need to exist, what feels fresh?
NCIS Has The Perfect Formula For More Shows
The first NCIS spinoffs, the now-ended Los Angeles and New Orleans, used the same premise as the original series but set it in different locations with a new cast of characters. Hawai’i and Sydney continued this trend, allowing for an even greater expansion of the franchise. However, with Origins focusing on Gibbs’ early years in task force and Tony returning with Ziva, the franchise has opened the door for even more spinoffs with varying degrees of focus.
As evident by NCIS: Sydney season 2 getting renewed, the formula of new, unique settings works to add diversity to how the franchise presents its cases. But, with the two upcoming spinoffs focusing on familiar characters, the procedural series has another trick up its sleeve to craft new, exciting shows in its universe. Bringing back familiar characters in new stories might prove successful, adding to the options CBS has to further expand the franchise.
While having more than five NCIS shows airing at once seems a bit daunting, every series differentiates itself enough for each new version to feel like a whole new experience. Like Sydney in Australia, the Tony and Ziva spinoff will be a Paramount+ exclusive, meaning the series isn’t beholden to cable TV standards either. While it seems the franchise is done expanding for right now, Stapf and Reisenbach are leaving the door open if more spinoff ideas arrive in the future.
