With four American editions currently in the franchise, NCIS will expand globally as a local Aussie version is picked up by ViacomCBS.
First came NCIS. And then Los Angeles, New Orleans and Hawai’i. Now, get ready for NCIS: Sydney with Australia’s own local production team and cast set to join as the fifth installment to the franchise.
Paramount+, the streaming service from ViacomCBS, and CBS Studios today announced an Australian series from the global NCIS franchise, titled as NCIS: Sydney, would be making its way to screens in 2023.
The new series will launch exclusively on Paramount+ and Network 10 in Australia, while debuting internationally on Paramount+.
NCIS: Sydney marks the first iteration of the hit NCIS franchise based outside of the U.S. The show will feature local stories and creative talent, including NCIS: Los Angeles creator and Australian, Shane Brennan.
With production commencing later this year, it will be filmed against the awe-inspiring, panoramic and spectacular backdrop of one of the world’s most breathtaking harbour cities – Sydney.
Chief Content Officer and Executive Vice President, ViacomCBS Australia and New Zealand, Beverley McGarvey, said:
“We are thrilled to welcome the inaugural international series of NCIS to Australian shores.
“It is such a privilege to be able to continue the legacy of such a wonderful show and incorporate the superior NCIS storytelling while introducing new Australian characters and locations. We can’t wait to get production underway.”
NCIS is one of the world’s most successful TV dramas, ranking as the #1 U.S. TV drama franchise globally. NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles and NCIS: New Orleans, have been seen in over 200 markets worldwide and NCIS won the International Audience Award as the most watched television series by Médiamétrie and Eurodata in 2014, 2015 and 2017.
The most recent installment to the franchise, NCIS: Hawai’i premiered on CBS in September, 2021.
In the U.S., NCIS is the most watched series, so far, during the 2021-2022 U.S. television season, and was the most watched series during the 2020-2021 U.S. television season. Longtime lead Mark Harmon (Agent Leroy Gibbs) exited the series as a regular cast member during the show’s 19th season.
NCIS: Sydney cast announcements will be made soon.
10’s entertainment editor, Angela Bishop, broke the news on Studio 10 this morning, and was excited about seeing the Sydney backdrop for the new series.
She said:
“It’s not just Sydney. It’s greater New South Wales, you’ve got the Blue Mountains, you’ve got the Hunter Valley, you’ve got Newcastle, you’ve got all of the opportunities – it’s going to be absolutely amazing.”
Watch her full story about NCIS: Sydney for Studio 10 below.
NCIS: Sydney is one of two new productions heading to Australia from the US, with The Challenge also announced to be coming down under.
I know everybody loves NCIS, but this is truly amazing news for Sydney. So many jobs, as well as so much exposure for Sydney to the international market. It’s the best tourism ad Australia can buy, especially after the pandemic.
Can’t wait for this to start.