CBS smiled and gave us a veggie sandwich. „NCIS: Sydney,” previously announced as a Paramount+ Australia original and the first international version of CBS’ „NCIS” procedural franchise, is also coming to American shores. CBS will air “NCIS: Sydney” on Mondays at 10 p.m., beginning on Friday, November 10, following its exclusive Paramount+ Australia premiere on November 13.
CBS previously announced a Monday night schedule that will include „NCIS” back at 9 p.m. ET, followed by an unspecified „Paramount+ Original” at 10 p.m., now confirmed as „NCIS: Sydney.”
„’NCIS’ is one of the world’s most popular series, and we’re excited to expand this franchise with a uniquely Australian twist,” CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach said in a statement. „With the addition of 'NCIS: Sydney,’ our studio and network footprint continues to grow in this fascinating world, a proven winner with audiences on both linear and streaming platforms. Set against the stunning backdrop of Australia, the high-stakes intrigue that 'NCIS’ teams have captivated fans for more than two decades.” , the new series will include comedy and camaraderie.
The series comes as part of CBS’ Strike Coincidence fall, which also includes another international import (the original UK version of the comedy „Ghosts”), the broadcast TV premiere of Paramount Network’s „Yellowstone” and other Paramount+ fare, including „F.B.I. Truth” and „Seal Team.” (It originally aired on CBS before going to the streamer.) Original unscripted entries include super-sized versions of „Survivor” and „The Amazing Race,” as well as new series „Loteria Loca,” „Buddy Games” and „Ride the Cage.”
“NCIS: Sydney” stars Olivia Swann (“DC’s Legends of Tomorrow”) as NCIS Special Agent Michael Mackey and Todd Lawson (“Without Remorse”) as his 2IC AFP counterpart, Sergeant Jim “JD” Dempsey. The series also stars Sean Sagar (“Covenant”) and Thuli Nargil (“Mystery Road: Origins”). Mavournee Hazel („Quiet”) and William McInnes („The Newsreader”).
Morgan O’Neill („Les Norton”) created „NCIS: Sydney” and is an executive producer along with Sarah Richardson („RFDS”) and Sue Seery („Ten Pound Palms”). The series is produced by Endemol Shine Australia for CBS Studios and Paramount Australia, and is distributed outside of Australia by Paramount Global Content Distribution.
Here’s the logline for the series: “Filmed against the spectacular backdrop of one of the world’s most breathtaking harbor cities, 'NCIS: Sydney’ is the first international series of the global 'NCIS’ franchise outside the United States, and it’s growing. International tensions in the Indo-Pacific region. A brilliant and select group of American NCIS agents and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) are combined into a multi-national task force to keep naval crime under control in the most contested seas on the planet.
Following the Australian and US 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,” Paramount+ executive VP and international general manager Marco Nobili said in a statement. „With this exciting new episode of one of the world’s most successful television dramas, we’re introducing new characters and incredible locations to avid NCIS fans on Paramount+, expanding our reach and fulfilling our mission to delight audiences around the world.”
The original „NCIS” debuted on CBS in 2003 and will air its 20th season beginning in September 2022. There are three other spinoffs to date: “NCIS: Los Angeles” (2009–2023), “NCIS: New Orleans” (2014– 2021), and “NCIS: Hawaii” (2021–present). „NCIS” and „NCIS: Hawai’i” will resume production after the strikes for their 21st and 3rd seasons, respectively.