NCIS’s New Series Is Poised For Success Thanks To CBS’s Difficult Decision

Published Aug 16, 2026, 11:30 AM EDT

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Specific plot details about the upcoming series are still scant at this point. That said, after years of bouncing from one NCIS show to another, Sam is finally getting a new official team again after the end of NCIS: Los Angeles. This time, he's bound East, as he comes home to New York. Admittedly, there have been questions about the reasoning behind the new offshoot, especially since it will be located along the Northeast Corridor like Washington DC, where the flagship takes place. Regardless of the criticisms towards NCIS: New York, CBS is making sure that it is poised to be as successful as possible.

NCIS: New York Is Filming On Location (Despite Increased Cost)

Despite being set in Navy Yard, the main NCIS series is actually filmed in California. While the exterior shots are from Washington DC, the rest of the scenes are shot inside a studio, while they have had to find backdrops in the area to double as its supposed location. NCIS: New York, however, is being filmed in New York, as seen in the official update from the series, which also included the confirmation of Caan's character. This means that exterior scenes will have the genuine Big Apple vibe and feel, which will help the series differentiate itself from its predecessors.

Considering the success of the flagship, there might be some arguments that the filming location wouldn't really matter, as long as the story is great. That may be true for the original project, but the burden to justify its existence is on the new expansion projects, and location is a big asset for NCIS: New York. CBS agreeing to spend money for its on-location shoot instead is very important, as it's a well-known fact that the network and the industry as a whole is going through major budget cuts, resulting in cast rotations and even cancellations.

Why New York Is Vital To The NCIS Show's Success

CBS

As one of, if not the most recognizable cities in the world, New York is a favorite narrative location for many network shows. Law & Order and Law & Order: SVU have lived in the city throughout their almost 30 years on broadcast. Meanwhile, CBS has FBI and CIA using it for the same reason. Previously, Blue Bloods did the same for 15 seasons. If used properly, New York almost becomes an additional main character for these shows — something that NCIS: New York can tap into. The fact that Sam is a native New Yorker adds importance to the setting. His return will definitely be a vital part of this new chapter.

For what it's worth, there's still a possibility that NCIS: New York will end up moving its production to the studios in California, joining NCIS and NCIS: Origins. Hopefully, that isn't the case, as filming in the city will add a unique feel and energy to the show. If it ever does that, however, at the very least, CBS made sure that it has the best chance to succeed by giving it the resources to establish the series in this new environment.

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  Created by Donald P. Bellisario, Don McGill

  First TV Show NCIS

  Latest TV Show NCIS: Sydney

  Upcoming TV Shows NCIS: Origins, NCIS: Tony & Ziva

  First Episode Air Date September 23, 2003

  Cast Mark Harmon, Michael Weatherly, Pauley Perrette, Cote de Pablo, Sean Murray, Rocky Carroll, Brian Dietzen, Wilmer Valderrama

  The NCIS franchise is an American media franchise that focuses on military-related criminal investigations by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. It began with NCIS in 2003, a spin-off from JAG, and has since expanded to include multiple spin-offs set across different locations.

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  NCIS: New York

  Release Date October 6, 2026

  Cast

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    Scott Caan

    Nick Schaeffer

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    Jennifer Beals

    Robyn Wells

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    Jacqueline Byers

    Addison Ross