Just when you thought that “NCIS: Hawai‘i’” was the last in the tireless franchise on CBS, along comes “NCIS: Sydney,” debuting Nov. 10 in Aussieland and Nov. 13 in the U.S. both on CBS and on Paramount+, the network’s streaming channel.
The Sydney project’s first season will be comprised of eight episodes
Did we really need another spinoff, while the flagship original (21 seasons and counting) and the last newbie, “NCIS: Hawai‘i” (this would be its third season) are sidelined and off-air because of the devastating Hollywood writers-actors strike?
Seems the labor issues in America don’t affect the first international spinoff of “NCIS,” with Down Under actors and producers involved in the venture, taking advantage of one of the most popular trademark shows in the galaxy of procedurals.
Mavournee Hazel, William McInnes, Tuuli Narkle, Todd Lasance, Olivia Swann, and Sean Sagar on the set of ‘NCIS: Sydney.’
According to online resources, the Sydney “NCIS” cast will star Olivia Swann (DC’s “Legends of Tomorrow”) as NCIS Special Agent Michelle Mackey; Todd Lasance (“Spartacus: War of the Damned” ) as her 2IC AFP counterpart, Sergeant Jim “JD” Dempsey; Sean Sagar (“The Covenant”) as NCIS Special Agent DeShawn Jackson; and Tuuli Narkle (“Mystery Road: Origin”) as AFP liaison officer.
“‘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, in a statement to Entertainment Weekly.
“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.”
Crime has no borders, so the franchise is going global, launching the fifth “NCIS” team and the first with international roots. The catalogue includes “NCIS,” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “NCIS: New Orleans” and “NCIS: Hawai‘i” and only the flagship show starring the original Special Agent Mark Harmon (not very visisble in the recent episodes) and the newest, starring Vanessa Lachey (the first woman Special Agent, anchored in Honolulu), still airing in the U.S., though disrupted by the Hollywood strike. …
Broadway grosses, week ending Sept. 10
Let the lion roar again.
“The Lion King” again rules over Broadway, topping the Great White Way’s Top 10 list.
Here are the leaders:
- “The Lion King,” $1.850 million.
- “Hamilton,” $1.746 million.
- “Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” $1.593 million.”
- “MJ. the Musical,” $1.515 million.
- “Wicked,” $1.487 million.
- “Aladdin.” $1.219 million.
- “Moulin Rouge,” $1.204 million.
- “Back to the Future: The Musical,” $1.079 million.
- “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” $1.056 million.
- “A Beautiful Noise: the Neil Diamond Musical,” $1.008 million.
The full list, courtesy The Broadway League:
And that’s Show Biz. …