Since its debut in 2021, NCIS: Hawai’i has been graced by the presence of musician and actor LL Cool J.
While many may know LL for his work on NCIS: Los Angeles, fans have been eagerly awaiting to find out if he will be joining the Hawai’i cast on a permanent basis.
The finale of NCIS: Los Angeles in 2023 left many wondering if they’d see Sam Hanna, portrayed by LL Cool J, in the NCIS franchise again. However, it was revealed that LL would be joining season three of NCIS: Hawai’i, which returned on February 12, 2024.
Speaking about Sam’s return, LL said, “The story definitely wasn’t over at all, that’s for sure. We’re finding out more about Sam, but remember, this is a different thing because Sam was transferred here.”
Debuting his character alongside NCIS: Hawai’i regulars such as Vanessa Lachey, Alex Tarrant, Noah Mills, and Jason Antoon, LL received praise from the executive producers. They expressed their thrill and honor at adding LL’s talent to their team for season three.
As of February 2024, there is no confirmation whether LL Cool J will permanently join NCIS: Hawai’i. When asked about the duration of his stay, LL mentioned that he’s “in the dark as much as the audience. We’re just having fun with it.” Currently, LL Cool J is classified as a “recurring guest star.”
Despite the uncertainty, fans have been vocal about their hopes. One Reddit user expressed contentment with his recurring role, while another shared excitement about LL’s presence in the current season.
NCIS: Los Angeles officially concluded on May 21, 2023, with various happy endings for the characters. Prompting the final question of the series, Nell pegs, “What do you say, gentlemen? Are you ready for your next adventure?,” to which Callen replies: “Yeah. This is gonna be fun.”
Fans then saw the pair traveling to Morocco in search of Hetty, leaving fans amazed as the senior special agent seems to have taken a detour to Hawaii.
It remains to be seen whether LL Cool J will become a permanent star on NCIS: Hawai’i, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the future of the series.
