NCIS: New York - LL Cool J’s Sam Hanna Is Back and Better Than Ever
Reel Perspectives
October 7, 2026
After saying goodbye to LL Cool J when NCIS: Los Angeles ended, his departure made it seem as if we might never see his beloved character, Sam Hanna, back in the franchise. Tuesday night answered that question, and we can all agree on one thing: Hanna is back, and he came home swinging.
The series premiere of NCIS: New York brought LL Cool J back as the fan-favorite agent, this time returning to his hometown to join the newly established New York Field Office. After years of special assignments and covert operations, Sam found himself back on familiar ground, but his first case made it clear that coming home wasn't going to mean slowing down.
The premiere opened with Sam in Dubai handling business. He was in the middle of an operation when he missed several calls from his longtime friend Jack Halloway. Sam eventually returned the call, but it was too late. Jack had been found dead in New York, and what initially looked like suicide immediately raised red flags for Sam.
Sam's connection to Jack, whom he had known for years, immediately raised the stakes. Not believing Jack had taken his own life, that instinct was exactly what we would expect from Sam. He trusted his gut, pushed for a closer look and convinced Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge Robyn Wells, played by Jennifer Beals, to let him investigate. Wells paired him with Special Agent Nick Schaeffer, played by Scott Caan, and that's when the premiere really started to find its rhythm.
LL Cool J and Caan's chemistry was exactly what you would expect, and the two worked surprisingly well together. Nick brought that slightly reckless, sarcastic New York energy, while Sam brought the experience and confidence of someone who has spent years walking into dangerous situations and coming out on the other side.Their personalities were different enough to create some fun tension without making the partnership feel forced.
As the investigation continued, Sam and Nick discovered that Jack's death was connected to something much bigger than they initially realized. Evidence found on Jack's boat pointed toward a smuggling operation, and the team eventually uncovered a much more dangerous scheme involving mercenaries, a kidnapped young woman and a Russian oligarch's family dispute.
The premiere was a solid first entry. The episode introduced a new team and actually gave the supporting characters room to show what they could bring to the table. Jennifer Beals' Robyn Wells immediately established herself as someone who wasn't going to simply hand Sam the keys to the office because of his reputation. She respected what he could do, but she was still running the show. Nick, meanwhile, quickly became Sam's partner and probably the person most determined to convince him that New York was exactly where he belonged.
Jacqueline Byers' Addy Ross and Shane Harper's Wyatt Sellers brought another layer to the team, while Devin Druid's Sean Sullivan stood out as the team's computer specialist. Sean's backstory was especially interesting because he had landed at NCIS after getting into trouble for hacking the police pension fund. He may have been the least traditional member of the group, but he proved during the case that he could be extremely useful when the pressure was on.
There was even got a quick appearance from Dr. Jimmy Palmer, with Brian Dietzen checking in remotely to help Sam confirm what he already suspected: Jack's death wasn't suicide. It was murder.
This was the moment when NCIS: New York reminded viewers exactly why bringing Sam Hanna back was such a great idea. When Nick found himself in serious trouble during a pivotal confrontation, Sam stepped in and took down the threat, once again proving why he has been one of the franchise's most formidable agents.
After everything Sam had experienced operating away from New York, he wasn't sure if the city still felt like home to him but Nick wasn't buying it. He reminded Sam that New York was part of who he was and made the case that the new team needed someone like him. Sam initially seemed hesitant, but by the end of the episode, he made the decision fans were expecting him to make and he joined the New York team.
The biggest takeaway from the premiere was that Sam Hanna still has the IT factor. There was no awkward transition or feeling that the character had been dragged back simply because the franchise needed a familiar face. LL Cool J walked into NCIS: New York with the same confidence, toughness and dry humor that made Sam such a standout on NCIS: Los Angeles, but there was something different about seeing him in New York. This is his city. It's personal.
The premiere gave a strong introduction, a compelling first case and, most importantly, a reason to want more of Sam Hanna. The chemistry between LL COOL J and Scott Caan is promising, the new team has personality, and putting this franchise inside the energy of New York City gives the series plenty of room to create an identity of its own.
For longtime NCIS: Los Angeles fans, Sam's return is obviously the biggest draw but NCIS: New York has the potential to become more than a nostalgia trip. It has the opportunity to deliver the action and investigative drama that fans expect while carving out its own personality.
NCIS: New York airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS, between NCIS and NCIS: Origins. New episodes are also available to stream the next day on Paramount+.
Comments