After NCIS: Hawai’i was abruptly canceled, the show’s stars are speaking out. Having spun off the NCIS franchise, the show follows a group of Naval investigators solving crimes across Hawai’i. It is the fourth NCIS spin-off and has been ongoing since 2021. CBS announced on April 26 that the show would be ending, ensuring that season 4 would not be put into production. It will conclude on May 6 after a shortened 10-episode season 3.
The NCIS: Hawai’i cast was shocked by the announcement and many of its stars have taken to social media to express their surprise. Jason Antoon (Ernie Malik) took to Instagram to give his statement, describing that “This business is brutal.”
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Tori Anderson (Kate Whistler) went to Twitter to explain what a “huge loss” this is and to express her love for the fans.
Having a really hard time processing this one. Thank you to our incredible crew who made every single day feel like I was living a dream.
I want to say thank you to all the fans. My heart breaks for you as well.
This is a huge loss for representation.
Love you all so much. https://t.co/Bc58iDvXR0
— Tori Anderson (@torianderson) April 26, 2024
Vanessa Lachey (Special Agent Jane Tennant) took to Instagram (via CinemaBlend) to share her response, describing herself as “gutted, confused, blindsided”.
The stars were surprised to see the show ending and all have been heavily impacted by NCIS: Hawai’i’s abrupt and unexpected conclusion.
The Disappointing Ending Of NCIS: Hawai’i
A major reason for the disappointment on the cast’s part is that they have lost steady jobs. They have been cut off from a reliable source of income without warning, which has likely left them scrambling for new opportunities. Additionally, they will need to say goodbye to characters that they have known for several years, and the show’s swift ending means that none will have pre-planned endings. Should they appear in future crossover episodes, they may receive a fitting ending, but that remains to be seen.
Considering the wide span of the NCIS universe, many of these characters will undoubtedly appear again.
Another issue that Lachey readily expressed is the loss of NCIS: Hawaii’s diversity. The show featured a woman leading, a diverse cast of characters, and an acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community. Removing the show from the NCIS slate means that those characters no longer have a home, which diminishes the overall diversity of the universe. It is a disappointing end to a show that took pride in its inclusivity.
Considering the wide span of the NCIS universe, many of these characters will undoubtedly appear again. The show often has crossover episodes that reintroduce old characters and invite stars from different shows to interact with other NCIS teams. NCIS: Los Angeles star Daniela Ruah appeared in NCIS’ 1000th episode, alongside Lachey. NCIS: Los Angeles was canceled after 14 seasons, so Ruah’s return is an excellent sign that Lachey may reappear as well. The rest of NCIS: Hawai’i’s cast will need to see if they will ever be invited back for future crossovers.
