CBS Reveals New NCIS Trailer Featuring Legacy Characters Gibbs, Tony, and Hanna
CBS has released a new trailer for the NCIS franchise's fall 2026 lineup, featuring Mark Harmon as Gibbs, Michael Weatherly as Tony, and LL Cool J as Sam Hanna. The trailer includes scenes from NCIS season 24, the new spinoff NCIS: New York, and NCIS: Origins season 3. The marketing push leans on nostalgia as the franchise expands its schedule.
The trailer runs roughly one minute and intercuts fresh footage with previously released clips across three shows. CBS's scheduling shifts place NCIS: Origins at 10 p.m. ET, while the new spinoff NCIS: New York occupies the 9 p.m. slot, with the flagship series keeping its lead position. The marketing emphasizes homecoming for Harmon, Weatherly, and LL Cool J.
Prior season endings set up multiple threads. NCIS season 23 left McGee's secret son Matteo and Gabriel LaRoche's bid for directorship after Vance's death. Origins season 2 concluded with Young Gibbs and Lala's romance and Randy's kidnapping, which may connect to modern storylines. The new spinoff features Scott Caan as Nick Schaeffer, a recast role, though the promo suggests an energetic dynamic with Sam.
This nostalgia-driven marketing could significantly boost viewership for CBS's fall slate, particularly among long-time fans who have followed the franchise for decades. The return of iconic characters may reinforce the network's dominance in broadcast procedurals, but it also risks overshadowing newer elements like the recast Nick Schaeffer. Younger viewers unfamiliar with the original cast might feel less engaged, though the expanded schedule offers entry points. Overall, the strategy could solidify NCIS's cultural staying power while testing whether legacy appeal translates to sustained ratings.