NCIS: Sydneyis gearing up to broaden its connection to the greaterNCISuniverse. The procedural follows Special Agent Michelle Mackey (Olivia Swann) and Australian Federal Police Sergeant JD (Todd Lasance) as they lead a joint task force of eclecticU.S. NCIS agents andthe AFP in Sydney, Australia.TheNCISspinoffis the first in the military police franchise to venture beyond U.S. borders, and the season 2 premiere recently made mention of NCIS Director Leon Vance (Rocky Carroll). WhileNCISis known for crossovers between its flagship series and its spinoffs,Sydneyis almost 10,000 miles away from its predecessor.
In a conversation withTV Insider, showrunner Morgan O’Neill assured thatcrossovers withinNCIS: Sydneyare being considered,and Swann also revealed that there will be another reference to the broaderNCISfranchise in season 2. Given the distance between the series, with theNCISmothership filmed in Southern California andSydneyin the titular city, it’s a lot harder to get a fan-favorite character to make an appearance in the latest spinoff. Here’s what they had to say:
Olivia Swann:There’s a very cool [reference]. I don’t know if I can say specifically which episode, buttowards the end of the season, there’sa very cool onewhich we drop in there.
Morgan O’Neill:It’s a challenge for us. We’re not just in the studio next door. We can’t just pull Rocky Carroll out and drag him on our set. It’s not quite that easy. But I would say the great thrill of a franchise like NCIS is that it’s an interconnected world. Fans love that it is, andwe’re certainly trying to work out ways where we can satisfy the desire for a kind of crossoveror an interaction of sorts. So that may be happening in our future, I suppose, is the best way to put it.
What NCIS: Sydney’s Connection To The Franchise Means
Expanding The Global Footprint Of NCIS
WithNCIS: Sydney’s season 2 premiere, the spinoff has now referenced Vance twice. He has yet to make an actual appearance inSydney, butthe show’s team is brainstorming ways to integrate the spinoff more fully into the broader universe. In 2023, CBS aired a three-show crossover event connectingNCIS,NCIS: Hawaiʻi, andNCIS: Los Angelesfor the first time ever. WhileHawai’iwas technically filmed within U.S. borders, production for the series took place overseas at the Naval Station in Pearl Harbor and Waikiki. Nonetheless, production managed to includeHawai’iin the massiveNCIS-verse crossover.
8 Biggest Reveals & References In NCIS: Sydney Season 2 Trailer
The latest NCIS: Sydney season 2 trailers may have been short but they revealed a lot of exciting information about what to expect when it premieres.
This suggests thatNCIS: Sydneycould follow a similar path in establishing stronger ties withtheNCISfranchise, despite its distance. Fortunately, the showrunner has affirmed solutions are being explored to make inter-series interactions possible. While physical appearances may be more difficult to manage,a potential crossover episode could include virtual briefings, shared cases, or the introduction of characters with past tiesto NCIS headquarters.Since a majority of the procedural’s spinoffs have ended (Los Angeles, Hawai’i,andNew Orleans), a lot of beloved characters may also be available to make that journey to Australia.
Our Take On NCIS: Sydney’s Place In The Franchise
A Unique Opportunity For International Storytelling
NCIS: Sydneyhas already set itself apart from the rest of the franchise by embracing a new location, unique team dynamics, and a blend of American and Australian law enforcement styles. The spinoff show has been free to explore different storytelling avenues without relying on constant franchise tie-ins. That said, even anNCISguest appearance through a video call or the creative use of a green screencould provide that satisfying connection for fans eager to see their favorite characters interact. In the meantime, the upcoming reference is an exciting breadcrumb to keep us intrigued about what’s next forNCIS: Sydney.
