Vanessa Lachey Opens Up About NCIS: Hawai’i Cancellation: ‘I Wish We Had a Proper Goodbye, I’m Sorry We Didn’t’
NCIS: Hawai’i team leader Vanessa Lachey has shared her deeper thoughts on the CBS drama’s cancellation after just three seasons.
Lachey, as Special Agent in Charge Jane Tennant of the Pearl Harbor office, made history when the well-watched franchise’s third spinoff debuted in September 2021, playing the first female team leader.
“Gutted, confused, blindsided,” Lachey offered soon after the cancellation news hit, via Instagram Story. “Grateful, confident, beloved fans.”
“Processing this news and still being present with my family,” added the mom of three, and wife of Nick Lachey. “I love you all! Maholo Nui Loa.”
Update: On May 1, having more fully processed the news, Lachey shared on Instagram a serene video of her seated by the ocean, at the same spot she filmed a scene in the pilot. “As I sat here today, knowing our show is over, I turned to [the ocean] again [asking] what do we do now,” she wrote. “She answered with ease. Just as the air hits the water & the water hits the land, the waves connect to the shore, some with a huge impact, then… it goes back out. You see… we aren’t meant to be here forever, we are on borrowed time. We appreciate what was given to us for our use, we nurture it and then we leave it better for the next dreamer.”
Lachey gave props to the show’s cast and crew, adding, “I wish we had more time, I’m sorry we don’t. I wish we had a proper good-bye, I’m sorry we didn’t. I know we ALL are connected deeper than any TV show.”
Part 2 of what will now be NCIS: Hawai’i’s series finale — filmed almost a month ago — airs Monday at 10/9c, on CBS.
Lachey’s co-star Noah Mills, who plays Jesse Boone on the CBS procedural, reacted, “It was soooo much damn fun while it lasted!” via an Instagram story. “I will miss so many and so much about making this show. Incredibly grateful for the memories and to the AMAZING people on the great island of Oahu Hawaii, I cannot thank you enough for allowing me to visit, live, play, work and grow in such a special place.”
Two of NCIS: Hawai’i‘s three creators weighed in on Friday evening, not long after the bad news broke.
“Four years ago, [Jan Nash], [Matt Bosack] and I started something very special. We joined with an incredible cast, amazing writers and crew… and gathered in Hawai’i to make a show,” wrote EP Chris Silber. “But ended up creating an ohana. I’m so grateful to you all.”
Co-creator Matt Bosack added: “[NCIS: Hawaii] was a dream. And while it’s ended, I am forever grateful to my partners, [Christopher Silber] and [Jan Nash], our amazing cast, led by [Vanessa Lachey], the entire crew, and this wonderful island I call home. I’m proud of the stories we were able to tell over these 3 seasons. To tell fun Navy crime mysteries but also dig into ideas about family, life, love, identity… To all the fans, especially those who saw themselves in these characters, mahalo nui loa. A hui hou.”
Cast members Tori Anderson and Jason Antoon, who play Kate and Ernie, also reacted to the cancellation.
There is no information regarding NCIS: Hawai’i being shopped elsewhere, TVLine hears.
Season-to-date, NCIS: Hawai’i is averaging 7.8 million total viewers and a 0.5 demo rating (with Live+7 playback data), up 4% in viewers vs. Season 2 but down a tick in the demo. Out of the 14 drama series that CBS has aired this TV season, it ranks No. 6 in total audience (behind Tracker, NCIS, FBI, Blue Bloods and The Equalizer) and eighth in the demo.
In the wake of the island drama’s end, the NCIS franchise will continue to expand via the “Young Gibbs” prequel NCIS: Origins, which has claimed a spot on CBS’ 2024-25 schedule, and a Tony/Ziva-centric offshoot that is bound for Paramount+.
Blindsided? Does she not read Nellie Andreeva’s reporting? The trades have painted this pictures for weeks.
Agreed. Specially with all the NCIS renewals and pick-ups. Hawai’i taking this long to get an answer was a clear sign that they were not safe.
Seriously!! I just got used to it, especially after bringing in LL Cool J aka Sam Hanna. Tired of CBS cancelling good shows while keeping the bad ones. They do it all the time, and without notice, very Frustrating people!!! Why don’t u renew it and renew Blue Bloods, keep the good ones for a change and cancel the crappy shows. You’re leaving us with not much to watch anymore hardly. Thank God NCIS is staying!!! Looking forward to NCIS Origins!!
I totally agree. They should have brought Sam’s partner over from Los Angeles, they worked great together. Someone else needs to pick this show up. CBS gets rid of to many shows. I’m gonna miss Blue Blood as well
So, quadruple the cast costs?
.
Folks, TV is a business. Not enough people watched NCIS HI to justify the high production costs. They’ve hit bedrock with NCIS. There is nothing more to mine. I suspect the new prequel won’t work all that well.
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They just want to do a show with the prequel where the leads are allowed to slap around suspects and go on their “guts” rather than science or evidence.
Everyone has their own opinion on what show if good and what is not. What is good to you may not be to me. Network tv as a whole is dying, anything worth watching is either on cable or streaming. They don’t cancel shows just to make fans mad, every show has fans. They cancel the show bc either the ratings aren’t good enough or it’s becoming too expensive for the ratings it does get. Also what demo is watching. Blue Bloods especially is watched mostly by senior citizens and as much as it sucks, these companies don’t care about that demo at all. I’m sorry a show you like got canceled but don’t say only the good ones get canceled and bad ones don’t bc it’s all subjective.
Perhaps the actor doesn’t read such, or was hoping for a reversal in decision.
I wouldn’t consider being the first female lead of a tv spin off historic in 2024 but i guess some value the definition differently than I do.
do you just enjoy being an a*shole or do you hate women? the fact that it took this long for a woman to lead this franchise makes it historic.
Stop. I’m as liberal as they come and are all for women’s rights, equality, etc. But in 2024 it’s no longer a big deal for a women or person of color not lead a series. Almost every series now has them. Just bc one of the first 3 NCIS didn’t have a “lead” doesn’t mean it’s historic. I mean Sasha Alexander (Kate), Daniel Ruah (Kensi), Cote de Pablo (Ziva), Linda Hunt (Hetty), Pauley Perrette (Abby), etc all had as big of roles as any male. Even if they didn’t, again, in 2024 it’s not a big deal. Which is the way it should be.
I really did not care if the lead on this show was a woman it was a good story line and the acting was First rate but the exec do not give shows enought time like the did with NCIS which did not do well in the rateing in the first seasons now it is the top rated show in the country the person who made this decision is going to get fired I am predicting that you wait and see/
Terrible shame. Was a great show, writing was coming along nicely. Character development was improving, back story and displaying the unique relationship of the people and the islands was nice. Fair winds, Aloha and Mahalo Nui Loa to the cast and crew. Can bye-bye NCIS Sydney be far behind? Do we really need a Young Gibbs show?
Do you post the same trolling comment at every article regarding this show?
CBS is shooting themselves in the foot for cancelling this and Blue Bloods as well as CSI Vegas. The numbers were great and CBS is delusional if they think they can put game shows or reality shows on to replace these procedurals.
And SWATT. I agree with you!
SWAT is the WORST and should have been CANCELED also!! All DEI bs!!
DEI bs? Wow, what an ignorant and bigot you must be. Are you so clueless and brain dead to notice the level of diversity on NCIS: Hawaii?
Love the show maybe another network will pickup
What does DEI have to do with S.W.A.T.? Lord, reach much? Just say you don’t like the show. Stop with the inclusion of ignorance for everything. Show is bad say that. I still miss East New York, but sure do Young Gibbs.
SWAT was cancelled and then renewed from what I have been reading.
TWICE. SWAT was canceled two years ago, then uncanceled for a “final season” (this current season), and then renewed for next season.
Truth be told i personally never care to much at looking a reality shows for example 2020 /2021 survivors i seen 2 seasons of them both they are worst. I rather much look police shows atleast i know but they sort give you some insight of what law enforcement officers go thru everyday trying to keep our streets and communities safe.
I think they (SWAT) were only renewed because they were able to reduce their costs significantly by getting rid of some of the original cast members – hope they (the cast) was able to have input on if they wanted to stay or go, I think the actor who played Luca was ready to move on based on the number of eps he was off screen last year
Yes true
SWAT was renewed for an 8th Season.
I completely agree. Too bad CBS doesn’t care about its viewers.
I’m just going to stop watching all cbs shows. I like others too, but Hawaii was my favorite. As soon as the finale airs, I’m done.
Ridiculous it’s one of the best shows on TV and I never miss it
VERY DISAPPOINTED!!
I agree, shame on you CBS for cancelling
NCIS Hawaii. A great show, great writing and acting. Putting Vanessa Lachey in the lead was an intelligent move. She did a great job, as did all the other actors.
I looked forward to watching this show
each week! I feel puzzled, at loss on why you would cancel this show.
A real stupid move. Funny, some other
shows that real dumb get renewed?
Here’s a toast to the creators and actors
of this. Congratulations to all!
You are right in all you have said. They have such pathetic shows on TV which should have been take off years ago. Yet the really good ones get cancelled.
I loved the show and am not happy it’s ending. There’s other shows they could take off.
I’ll be missing Ernie and the M.E.
The rest of the cast was pretty … exchangeable.
Most of all I’ll be missing the place – Hawai’i is such a great location for any show.
They had to get rid of a good show to bring in the new NCIS very Jethro gibbs.sad
Plenty of bad shows they could have binned instead of such a good show,
Agree. I bet they cancelled Hawaii & will put Jethro Gibbs on. I can tell you I will miss Hawaii & will skip Jethro.
I mean, these prequel series rarely work. Young Sheldon did pretty well, but only when they really leaned into everyone ESLE but Sheldon. If they don’t get the supporting cast right on Young Jethro, the show won’t see S2. And I feel like LJG will be in basically every single shot.
So bummed to hear they have been canceled! I loved thos show! I hope another network picks it up 🙏
They should have canceled Australia not Hawaii. Or not started Origin.
I like NCIS Hawaii. Can’t believe they are axing it. One thing I think may cause this is having people play same sex partners & kiss & be loved dovy. Its not how a work place is. Need to stop that.
Ah yes i’ve been waiting for the blatant homophobia to show its face after the news of this cancellation. You did not disappoint, Kay.
Awww Jeepers did your wittle feelings get hurt 😞
Super sick of CBS just canceling shows we love, like this one and So Help Me Todd; shows with great diverse casts and clever intelligent writing…and then asking, hey, why don’t people watch network TV anymore and go off on streaming channels like Apple and HBO, Netflix, etc. Uh, here’s why CBS! You have excellent shows that millions are watching but you pull the plug after only 2 or 3 seasons! Sick of it and not going to watch CBS stuff from now on…why should we when our family gets into a show and then it us shut down after only a short run. So disappointing. I can’t tell how many of us are really angry about these two shows leaving.
Kay speaks the truth. The show lost the bible belt. That is a large amount of viewers to lose and want to keep up your ratings. I don’t want to see straight people making out on a crime drama. Why would I want to watch them. I want to watch a crime drama.
Actually it’s unprofessional to make out at work, not homophobic.
I agree. I’ve watched a few episodes of ncis australia. Boring & i won’t watch ìt. Ncis hawaii is a good show & they axed it for Australia?
No, Sydney was International with a Paramount+ release. Sydney could have been canceled but Hawaii would still be canceled too because they were not in any competition for ratings.
Yep. NCIS Hawaii is way better than the Sydney series. So disappointed
This is a travesty. There are many shows that should have been cancelled. All of the NCIS shows have been good. And yet you cancelled them. Please please reconsider. Let us have some enjoyable shows like So Help Me Todd!!!
I’d like to see fans compell CBS to continue with this version of NCIS. Maybe it was too much of the interpersonal relationships rather than the plot itself. Tony and Ziva, I believe was a one off . I believe this show and others are trying too hard to recreate that. It’s the same with the current NCIS.
NCIS Hawaii is my favorite show, and my fav NCIS show. I love and support Hawaiian people. This will hurt them and bring down NCIS for good. STOP Don’t cancel.
I totally agree….I only watched one episode of Australia…was not good …NCIS Hawaii was awesome!!!!
Agreed! The Australia one is absolutely horrible!
What ashame. Loved the show and direction with Sam on the team. But then again super mad NCIS LA was cancelled as well. It was one of our families favorites for all the years it was on and NCIS Hawaii is as well. You just keep canceling all things the audiences love. Super disappointed. Maybe time to find a different network.
CBS and Paramount really need to come to your senses. I read an article about you have new shows to find room for, I don’t really care about Gibbs as a young man. NCIS Sydney doesn’t have any chemistry with characters. NCIS Hawaii had drama, great characters and it’s in beautiful Hawaii
I agree, don’t care about NCIS: Origins – keep NCIS: Hawaii and CSI:Vegas
I agree. That there was or is absolutely no chemistry with NCIS SIDNEY. Watched I once as totally disli it. Can’t believe they Wld cancel Hawaii and not Sidney. NCIS HAWAII. Had phenomenal chemistry with actors and ve interesting storylines! Bad decision from CBS!
Bill it’s wrong for them to cancelled NCIS: Hawaii , should cancel swat and blue blood
They have canceled Blue Bloods
What is wrong with CBS!!! NCIS Hawaii is way better than Sydney! I am 💔🤬🤬🤬🤬. They changed their minds about SWAT, hope they do the same here. They should keep HI!!!!! WTF!!!!!!
Please think again about canceling this series for I take the show and watch them all when I get off work.😭
I am VERY disappointed to hear this! CBS keeps canceling all the good shows!
This is one of our favorites!
CBS had better re-think this!
With all the shows ending & now canceling one of the top shows, there will be nothing to watch on TV.
I cannot believe NCIS Hawaii is cancelled and NCIS Sydney is picked up. Hawaii is so much better. Tried to watch Sydney. Did not hold my interest, storylines were terrible and acting was not good at all. Please pick up Hawaii and do away with Sydney!! So very disappointed with CBS!
Sydney is probably a lot cheaper. Aussie actors don’t make as much, and their viewers are picking up some of the costs. OTOH, filming in Hawaii is expensive because you have to bring in and support your whole crew. It’s unlikely they are looking to replace Hawaii with Sydney but with Origins. They love Mark Harmon, and think it will be a great success if he spends a minute or so per week voicing some narration, which seems to be as ‘unretired’ as he wants to get – if not he could play Jackson Gibbs. Not sure this will all work out, though.
As for the Tiva thing – sounds more like a limited series concept – Tony and Ziva can’t stay on the run forever and still be interesting – so unless they decide to come out of retirement at the end and go to work for NCIS somewhere in Europe – it’s more like a Summer series.
The Tony and Ziva series will also be on Paramount+ not CBS
I totally agree- tried watching Sidney- turned it off within 5 minutes- horrible acting- couldn’t understand them!
Why take an incredibly great show & cancel it- drop Sydney & put Hawaii back- listen to what your viewers want!
I agree
NCIS HAWAII is an excellent show that should not be cancelled. Once “SAM” was transferred to this show it changed the story lines. Keep
NCIS HAWAII as it deserves to be on t.v.
Really like this show , Scenes and Water are Beautiful, and A Awesome Cast to Solve Crimes in a Beautiful place!
Please reconsider your decision on the cancellation of this really great series. The cast is fantastic and should be able to keep sharing their talents with all of us.
Cannot believe both my favorite shows – NCIS Hawaii and So Help Me Todd – are cancelled. CBS has lost its mind! No more CBS for me – they cancel their best shows and keep the mediocre.
While there were rumors, and not being picked up when NCIS was picked up. And knowledge of the other two spinoffs. It did not help matters. But most reporting seemed to indicate a partial final season, or season number 4. So, the actual cancellation did seem like a shock. So, I can understand her surprise.
Looks like Origins will get the post NCIS slot now.. And maybe there is hope the Tiva spinoff will eventually air on CBS? And Sydney’s episode count might grow to more than 8.
Now we won’t watch either one. We think original is worn down and Origins has no interest from us. Fail with this choice CBS, Hawaii was great.
Don’t know why people keep saying canceling Sydney would have saved Hawaii. Sydney was in no competition with any CBS show since it was an Australian production that was to air on Paramount+
Being based outside the US/Canada, both shows are too costly for Paramount Global, especially considering their continued losses due to streaming and the hope of being sold. Something had to give. Sadly, it was the more creative version of the NCIS franchise and the one that Paramount Global had to produce without a foreign broadcast partner. What a bonehead mistake by CBS/Paramount.
Glad it was canceled. The show was boring. The actors seemed stiff
the OG actors are sooooo stiff, how could you say that about the Hawaii actors. The OG actors barely emote and can barely say their lines
I don’t get it this show was one of the best ones I like and also got canceled I’ll be watching all cable shows soon
It’s about time. Honestly I dont know how it lasted this long. Putting it between 2 shows only put me to sleep. I tried to watch it but it was boring.
What two shows was it between. Your comment does not makes sense. It was in the 10:00 hour after ncis and before the nightly news
No more Hawaii on TV. 5 0, Magnum and now NCIS. Boo
Going to miss NCIS HAWAII. Great story lines and special characters. So different than other NCIS shows. So was very entertaining and the location was awesome
Find someway to bring back
Very disappointed – but not surprised. Hawaii is such a beautiful backdrop and the characters are great with good chemistry. I am in agreement with comments regarding Sydney I tried but couldn’t get with the characters or storyline. And Origins – who cares where Jethro came from. NCIS was great because of the cast and crew nit because of Jethro Gibbs. And Tony and Ziva – come on does no one have a new idea we have to reuse old characters??