NCIS: Hawai’i’s cancellation by CBS gets a candid response from its showrunners, Jan Nash, Christopher Silber, and Matt Bosack. The latest, US-based spinoff from the franchise introduced Vanessa Lachey’s Jane Tennant, as she led her team on the island focusing on crimes involving military and national security. Despite having just been on the air since 2021, it became one of the most beloved offshoots in the NCIS universe. So, when news broke out that CBS was pulling the plug, the backlash came quickly, especially after it was revealed that the cast and crew were blindsided by it.
Speaking with TVLine, Nash, Silber, and Bosack break their silence over NCIS: Hawai’i’s cancellation months after it happened. As expected, they confirm they were actually surprised by CBS’ decision. While they admit that the end of the show stings, they understand it isn’t personal. Read their full quote below:
Nash, Silber, and Bosack : We were obviously surprised. If we’d known it was coming, we probably wouldn’t have ended the series on a cliffhanger. The fact that the studio and the network didn’t stop us makes it seem like they might not have seen it coming either. We loved our show and know other people loved it, too, but the TV business is a fickle mistress and one can’t take business decisions personally. But it still stings.
Why NCIS: Hawai’i’s Cancellation Is So Controversial
There has been uproar against CBS since NCIS: Hawai’i was cancelled in spring. For context, the network also pulled the plug on So Help Me Todd and CSI: Las Vegas, but while those moves have inspired some backlash, they don’t compare to the criticism about the NCIS spinoff unexpectedly wrapping up. Devoted fans of the show have been very vocal on social media, trying to convince CBS to undo the cancellation, and there is even an official petition. Unfortunately, CBS has been adamant about NCIS: Hawai’i’s cancellation, justifying the decision multiple times.
When it was canceled, NCIS: Hawai’i was the 16th overall most-watched series during the 2023-2024 season.
CBS cited its overall programming schedule and cost-cutting endeavors as the major reasons for NCIS: Hawai’i’s cancellation. However, there are questions about these arguments. For starters, it’s effectively being replaced by a new NCIS spinoff, the ’90s-set NCIS: Origins. Secondly, it doesn’t make sense to cancel a series that is successful commercially; when it was canceled, NCIS: Hawai’i was the 16th most-watched series overall during the 2023-2024 season. Finally, NCIS: Hawai’i season 3 ended on a cliffhanger, with Jane reuniting with Maggie Shaw. It was a set-up for season 4 that will not likely happen.
It does seem, however, that Nash, Silber, and Bosack have gotten over NCIS: Hawai’i ending unceremoniously. Whether they had a private conversation since the show was canceled is unclear. They also don’t say if they are working on a new project. While they don’t have any more animosity about the matter, it’s easy to understand why it still stings. Considering this, it would be interesting to learn what they think about the robust online movement to bring the show back.
