‘NCIS: Sydney’ Showrunner Reveals How the Hit Spin-Off Connects to the Wider NCIS Universe

Season 3 of NCIS: Sydney is just days away from premiering, and series showrunner Morgan O’Neill has teased that fans can expect a few hidden Easter eggs throughout the new season. O’Neill has previously acknowledged one of the creative challenges when it comes to connecting the Australian-based spin-off to the U.S.-based titles. So, they have found a solution to connect this growing franchise, even if they’re “9,000 miles away” from each other.

In an interview with TV Line, O’Neill reassured that NCIS: Sydney is in the same universe as the main NCIS series and its respective spin-offs. While they do want to include existing characters in the show, the best they can do is to put Easter eggs for fans to keep an eye on. He did not specify how these little clues would be executed, but it is something they could do to prove that this show is still part of the same universe.

“Yeah, there are a couple of Easter eggs for our friends. As we spoke about last time, the concept of a crossover episode is enormously appealing to NCIS fans, and our challenge obviously is that we are in a different time zone, 9,000 miles away. But our characters inhabit the same universe. Let me say that if you keep your eyes out, there are a couple of little Easter eggs that we’ve planted to ensure that our fans recognize that we are part of the fabric that stretches all the way across the Pacific. And I’ll leave you with that!”

One way NCIS: Sydney has proven its connection to a shared universe is by name-dropping its existing characters. During the first episode of Season 1, Director Leon Vance, played by Rocky Carroll, was mentioned by Ken Carter (Bert LaBonté). Since then, other existing characters have not been mentioned, but there is a chance their existence may be acknowledged in the upcoming season.

What’s NCIS Sydney About?

NCIS: Sydney is the Australian spin-off of NCIS, where two NCIS Agents, Michelle Mackey (Olivia Swann) and DeShawn Jackson (Sean Sagar), team up with the AFP, which includes Jim Dempsey (Todd Lasance), Evie Cooper (Tuuli Narkle), Bluebird “Blue” Gleeson (Mavournee Hazel), and Roy Penrose (William McInnes). Seasons 1 and 2 cover an overarching case about the various deaths of US Navy officers stationed in Australia and how one of their allies was forced to get involved.

While Season 1 took place in Sydney, Season 2 went interstate, with the finale taking place in the Northern Territory and ending with a cliffhanger. In the meantime, Seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream on Paramount+. Follow Collider to keep up to date with the latest updates.