NCIS: Hawai’i star Vanessa Lachey and joining cast member LL Cool J tease the relationship between Sam Hanna and Jane Tennant going into season 3. Tennant (Lachey) is the Special Agent-in-Charge for the spinoff series, while Hanna (LL Cool J) will be joining the spinoff as a regular guest star in the upcoming season. The newcomer previously portrayed his character in NCIS: Los Angeles for its entire run.
Speaking with TVLine, both Lachey and LL Cool J teased what to expect from Hanna and Tennant’s relationship in NCIS: Hawai’i season 3. The duo discussed how Hanna will be taking on a mentorship role for Tennant after she spent some time away from the team, drawing on everything he’s been through in NCIS: Los Angeles. Check out the full video interview below, as well as their statements detailing their character’s relationship:
Lachey: Some time has passed [since the end of season 2], and I’m trying to back in the groove, and I need this guy [Sam] to help me out, to give me some inspiration, some motivation.LL Cool J: Sam’s been through so much. He’s seen a lot, he’s done a lot, he’s used to dealing with the PTSD of it all. What Tennant deals with is obviously very real and life-changing for her. And so he is a sounding board that she can trust. Someone with the credibility. She knows that he’s been where she’s at. And so there’s that connection there…and it works!
How Sam Hanna’s Return Will Shake Up NCIS: Hawai’i
Season 2 of the spinoff saw Tennant and Kate Whistler rescued by Hanna in Venuzuela, although the team leader was tortured before he came to lend a hand. This event will be a key factor of season 3, it seems, since she will need to rely on him even more as she continues to recover. Her return will no doubt involve other NCIS: Hawai’i characters making sure she’s doing alright.
With Hanna coming back to the NCIS universe in a recurring role, his appearances will likely involve more complex cases the team has to investigate. This would align with his many years of experience, offering up some more intense events than the show has seen thus far. Since he will be a shoulder for Tennant to lean on, him showing up may also signal more character growth for the protagonist.
NCIS Hawaii Already Has A Big Difference From Other Spinoffs
The agents of the NCIS have historically worked alone. All of that has changed with the latest spinoff, which features many other federal agencies.
While it’s unclear how much Tennant will need to recover from what happened at the end of season 2, it seems like it will take up a good amount of time in season 3. With a shortened season because of the 2023 Hollywood writers and actors strikes, it’s unclear if the limited time will be enough to fully explore this storyline. But, with Hanna returning, it seems NCIS: Hawai’i can provide an engaging season despite having less time to do so.
NCIS: Hawaii
NCIS: Hawaii is the fourth spin-off of the police procedural series NCIS. It follows a team of Naval Criminal Investigative Service agents as they investigate a wide variety of difficult and shocking crimes. Vanessa Lachey stars as Jane Tennant alongside Alex Tarrant as Kai Holman, Noah Mills as Jesse Boone, Tori Anderson as Kate Whistler, Yasmine Al-Bustami as Lucy Tara, and Jason Antoon as Ernie Malik.
