Given the two current strikes, the availability of any new scripted programming on the Big four broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox) is basically nil this fall. But CBS has announced that the fifth entry in the NCIS franchise, NCIS: Sydney, will launch on Monday, November 13 at 10 p.m. ET. Earlier, NCIS: Sydney will premiere on Paramount+ Australia on Friday, Nov. 10, with additional Paramount+ international markets to follow at a later date.
NCIS: Sydney follows NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: New Orleans, NCIS: Hawai’i and the parent series, which is slated to return for season 21 after the strikes have been settled. The series is created by Morgan O’Neill (Les Norton), who also serves as executive producer alongside Endemol Shine Australia’s Sara Richardson (“RFDS”) and Sue Seeary (Ten Pound Poms). Eight episodes have been produced.
The logline: With rising international tensions in the Indo-Pacific, a brilliant and eclectic team of U.S. NCIS agents and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) are grafted into a multinational taskforce to keep naval crimes in check in the most contested patch of ocean on the planet.
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 Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment. “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.”
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. They are joined by Sean Sagar (The Covenant) as NCIS Special Agent DeShawn Jackson; Tuuli Narkle (Mystery Road: Origin) as AFP liaison officer Constable Evie Cooper; Mavournee Hazel (Shantaram) as AFP forensic scientist Bluebird “Blue” Gleeson and William McInnes (The Newsreader) as AFP forensic pathologist Dr Roy Penrose.
The series is produced for CBS Studios and Paramount Australia by Endemol Shine Australia and distributed outside Australia by Paramount Global Content Distribution.
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