Summary
- NCIS, created by Donald P. Bellisario, is a long-running legal crime drama with multiple spinoffs set in different cities.
- Best viewed in order, the franchise introduces characters in the main series and has crossover moments between spinoffs.
- Fans can stream NCIS on Netflix, NCIS: Los Angeles on Fubo, NCIS: New Orleans on Paramount+, and NCIS: Hawai'i on Paramount+.
Created by Donald P. Bellisario, NCIS is one of the longest-running legal crime dramas in TV history. Launched in 2003 as a spinoff to JAG, NCIS stands for Naval Criminal Investigation Service and follows the leadership of Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) and his Major Case Response Team. The inaugural series is set in and around Washington D.C. and is currently in the midst of its 21st season.
Although the original NCIS is still going strong, the popular CBS franchise has spawned four official spinoffs and sequels, with at least two more currently in development. Each franchise entry takes place in a different city, and for the most part, should be viewed in release order. However, there are a few crossover moments that require a specific viewing order. To help steer viewers down the NCIS rabbit hole, it's time to chart the best way to watch the franchise in order.
NCIS
NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) focuses on the sometimes complex and always amusing dynamics of a team forced to work together in high-stress situations. Special Agent Alden Parker, a quirky former FBI agent who solves his cases with calm professionalism and sharp, sarcastic charm, leads the NCIS team.
- Release Date
- September 23, 2003
- Cast
- Mark Harmon , sean murray , Wilmer Valderrama , david mccallum , Rocky Carroll , Brian Dietzen
- Seasons
- 22
5 NCIS (2003-)
After the main characters' introduction in Season 8 of JAG, NCIS debuted on CBS as an official spinoff in 2003. Set in Washington, D.C. and the DMV area, the legal drama series follows the procedural investigations of Special Agent Leroy Gibbs, who works for the Naval Criminal Investigation Service as a former Marine Gunnery Sergeant. Along with his talented response team, Gibbs examines violent and nonviolent crime scenes relating to the U.S. Armed Forces.
Like most of the series in the franchise, it's wise to watch all 21 seasons of NCIS in release order. However, it's important to know that a staple of the franchise is to introduce the characters of each spinoff in the main series. Just as the NCIS characters were introduced in Season 8 of JAG, the characters in NCIS: Los Angeles were first seen in the two-part crossover pilot for Season 6 of NCIS. Therefore, for continuity purposes, it's best to watch NCIS in the following order:
- JAG Season 8, Episode 21
- JAG Season 8, Episode 22
- NCIS Season 1 (2003)
- NCIS Season 2 (2003)
- NCIS Season 3 (2003)
- NCIS Season 4 (2003)
- NCIS Season 5 (2003)
- NCIS Season 6 (2008)
Once season 6 is finished, it's best to continue the main NCIS series through Season 21 while continuing the characters in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, not a single episode of NCIS is available on Hulu, where most TV shows live post-release. However, fans still have streaming options on Netflix and elsewhere.
Seasons 1-15 of NCIS are available to stream on Netflix
4 NCIS: Los Angeles (2009-2023)
Following the intro in Season 6 of NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles officially debuted on CBS in 2009. The long-running cop show lasted 14 seasons and 323 episodes before ending in 2023. The story tracks Special Covert NCIS Agents G. Callen (Chris O'Donnell) and Sam Hanna (LL Cool J) as they seek to bring down international terrorists and keep homeland security safe. Much like the original NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles should be viewed in release order, from seasons 1 to 14. However, the crossover episodes should be seen in the following specific order:
- NCIS Season 6 Episodes 22 'Legend, Part 1'
- NCIS Season 6 Episodes 23 'Legend, Part 2'
- NCIS: Los Angeles - Season 1, Episode 1 (2009)
- NCIS Season 7, Episode 1 (2009)
After completing the crossover episodes, finishing the remainder of NCIS: Los Angeles in order through Season 14 is the ideal way to maintain continuity and keep the events of each series in their proper place.
Seasons 5, 13, & 14 of NCIS: Los Angeles are available to stream on Fubo
3 NCIS: New Orleans (2014-2021)
The characters of NCIS: New Orleans were introduced in NCIS Season 11 via the two-part crossover "Crescent City." The spinoff follows the Naval Crime Investigation Service headed by Dwayne Pride (Scott Bakula) in Louisiana and the Mississippi Delta. The series lasted 7 seasons and 155 episodes before being canceled in 2021. It's best to watch NCIS: New Orleans in order of release, with a few crossover caveats.
- NCIS Season 11 (2013) - Episode 18 'Crescent City, Part 1'
- NCIS Season 11 (2013) - Episode 19 'Crescent City, Part 2'
- NCIS: New Orleans Season 1 (2014) - Episode 1
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- NCIS Season 13 (2015) - Episode 12 'Sister City, Part I'
- NCIS: New Orleans Season 2 (2015) - Episode 12 'Sister City, Part 2'
Finally, a criminal plot was tied together in Season 14 of NCIS and Season 3 of NCIS: New Orleans in another crucial two-part crossover.
- NCIS Season 14 (2016) - Episode 15 'Pandora’s Box, Part 1'
- NCIS: New Orleans Season 3 (2016) - Episode 14 'Pandora’s Box, Part 2'
All 7 Seasons of NCIS: New Orleans are available to stream on Paramount+
2 NCIS: Hawai'i (2021-)
In another franchise first, NCIS: Hawai'i did not introduce its characters in the main NCIS crossover event. Instead, the spinoff premiered on its own in September 2021 and is still running in 2024. The show is currently in the midst of Season 3 and follows the Naval crime investigations of Jane Tennant (Vanessa Lachey) as she vows to protect Pearl Harbor and the ports of Hawaii.
Despite avoiding the introductory crossover, NCIS: Hawai'i does have a worthy collision with the main series. In NCIS Season 19, Episode 17, "Starting Over" and NCIS: Hawai'i Season 1, Episode 18, "TNT," Tennant is met by beloved NCIS agents Nick Torres and Jessica Night. Beyond making an effort to watch the crossover, it's best to continue watching NCIS: Hawai'i in release order as the show nears its Season 3 finale.
- NCIS Season 19 (2021) Episode 17 'Starting Over'
- NCIS: Hawaiʻi - Season 1 (2021) - Episode 18 'TNT'
A second crossover between NCIS Season 20 and NCIS Hawai'i Season 2 takes place as Torres, Knight, and Tennant prevent a terrorist attack off the coast of Oahu.
- NCIS Season 20 (2022) - Episode 1 'A Family Matter'
- NCIS: Hawaiʻi Season 2 (2022) - Episode 1 'Prisoners' Dilemma'
All 3 Seasons of NCIS: Hawai'i are available to stream on Paramount+
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Launched on Paramount+ in November 2023, NCIS: Sydney is the fourth and most recent franchise spinoff to hit the airwaves. The action takes place in Sydney, Australia, and concerns the Naval crime scene investigations of Michelle Mackey (Olivia Swan) and JD Dempsey (Todd Lasance). Despite avoiding the traditional introductory crossover, the franchise entry marks the first international spinoff and the first created as a Paramount+ Original series.
With one episode released weekly, Season 1 of NCIS: Sydney ran from November 14 to January 23, 2024. The show is expected to return for Season 2 sometime in 2024. Until it does, it's best to watch all 8 episodes of NCIS: Sydney in release order.
Season 1 of NCIS: Sydney is available to stream on Paramount+