CBS just smiled and gave us a Vegemite sandwich. “NCIS: Sydney,” previously announced as a Paramount+ Australia original and the first international edition of CBS’ “NCIS” procedural franchise, is making it to the U.S. shores as well. CBS will air the eight-episode “NCIS: Sydney” this fall on Monday nights at 10 p.m., starting Nov. 13, following its exclusive Paramount+ Australia premiere on Friday, Nov. 10.
CBS had previously announced a Monday night schedule for fall that included “NCIS” repeat at 9 p.m. ET, followed by an unspecified “Paramount+ Original” at 10 p.m., which has now been confirmed to be “NCIS: Sydney.”
“’NCIS’ is one of the most popular series in the world and we’re thrilled to expand this franchise with a uniquely Australian twist,” said CBS Entertainment president Amy Reisenbach in a statement. “With the addition of ‘NCIS: Sydney,’ our studio and network footprint continues to grow in this fascinating world that has been a proven winner with viewers on both linear and streaming platforms. Featuring the stunning backdrop of Australia, the new series will incorporate the high-stakes intrigue, humor and camaraderie that have kept fans captivated by the ‘NCIS’ teams for over two decades.”
The series arrives as part of CBS’ strike contingency fall lineup, which also includes another international import (the original U.K. version of the comedy “Ghosts”), the broadcast TV premiere of Paramount Network’s “Yellowstone,” and other Paramount+ fare including “FBI True” and “Seal Team” (which had originally aired on CBS before moving to the streamer). Original unscripted entries includes super-sized editions of “Survivor” and “The Amazing Race,” as well as new series “Loteria Loca,” “Buddy Games” and “Raid the Cage.”
“NCIS: Sydney” stars Olivia Swann (“DC’s Legends of Tomorrow”) as NCIS Special Agent Michelle Mackey and Todd Lasance (“Without Remorse”) as her 2IC AFP counterpart, Sergeant Jim “JD” Dempsey. The series also stars Sean Sagar (“The Covenant”), Tuuli Narkle (“Mystery Road: Origin”). Mavournee Hazel (“Shantaram”) and William McInnes (“The Newsreader”).
Morgan O’Neill (“Les Norton”) created “NCIS: Sydney” and is executive producer with Sara Richardson (“RFDS”) and Sue Seeary (“Ten Pound Poms”). The series is produced by Endemol Shine Australia for CBS Studios and Paramount Australia, and distributed outside Australia by Paramount Global Content Distribution.
Here’s the logline to the series: “Filmed against the spectacular backdrop of one of the world’s most breathtaking harbour cities, ‘NCIS: Sydney’ is the first-ever international series from the global ‘NCIS’ franchise outside of the U.S., and sees rising international tensions in the Indo-Pacific. The brilliant and eclectic team of U.S. NCIS Agents and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) are grafted into a multi-national taskforce, to keep naval crimes in check, in the most contested patch of ocean on the planet.”
Following the Australian and U.S. debuts of “NCIS: Sydney,” the series will be available in all Paramount+ international territories at a later date. “Bringing ‘NCIS: Sydney’ to Paramount+ international markets is a true testament to the power of ‘One Paramount’ across our content and platforms,” Marco Nobili, Paramount+ executive VP and international general manager, said in a statement. “With this exciting new chapter of one of the world’s most successful TV dramas, we unveil new characters and incredible locations to the eager NCIS fandom on Paramount+, broadening our reach and fulfilling our mission to entertain audiences around the world.”
The original “NCIS” debuted on CBS in 2003 and aired its 20th season beginning in September 2022. There have been three other spinoffs to date: “NCIS: Los Angeles” (2009-2023), “NCIS: New Orleans” (2014-2021), and “NCIS: Hawai’i” (2021-present). “NCIS” and “NCIS: Hawai’i” will be back for their 21st and 3rd seasons, respectively, once production resumes post-strikes.
