New York'? Premiere Ending Explained

LL Cool J is officially back in the NCIS universe, but is Sam Hanna really staying in New York?

The 58-year-old actor returned as Sam in the series premiere of NCIS: New York on Tuesday (October 6), with Scott Caan starring alongside him as Nick Schaeffer.

The premiere brought Sam back to his hometown after the death of his longtime friend Jack Halloway and ended with Nick trying to convince him to remain in New York permanently.

Warning: spoilers for the NCIS: New York series premiere ahead!

Why Did Sam Hanna Return to New York?

At the beginning of the episode, Sam is working overseas when he learns that his friend Jack has died in New York.

Sam becomes convinced that Jack’s death was not a suicide and asks to help investigate. Assistant Special Agent in Charge Robyn Wells, played by Jennifer Beals, pairs him with Nick, and the two work together to uncover what happened.

The case ultimately brings Sam into the New York team’s orbit, despite his insistence that he is only there temporarily, per TheWrap.

Does Sam Hanna Stay in New York at the End of the Premiere?

Yes, at least for now.

After they solve the case, Nick tries to convince Sam to join the team.

He tells Sam that New York needs him and argues that the city still means something to him, even if Sam now feels like a “stranger” in the place he once called home.

Nick ultimately tells Sam that he respects him and wants to work with the best.

Sam agrees, saying, “All right, let’s see how it goes.”

That sets up Sam’s place on the new team for now.

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Is Sam Hanna Staying on NCIS: New York Permanently?

That part is less certain.

Despite Sam agreeing to stay at the end of the premiere, LL Cool J told TV Insider that viewers should not assume the decision is permanent.

“There’s no guarantee he’ll stay,” he said, adding that Sam’s future is still “TBD.”

Scott Caan also revealed that an earlier version of the premiere would have had Nick repeatedly trying to convince Sam to stay over multiple episodes before the story was changed.

“We pitched this idea that he says no in the pilot and that we just keep going with that,” Scott said.

Could More NCIS Characters Appear on the Spinoff?

The premiere already included an appearance from Brian Dietzen as Dr. Jimmy Palmer.

Showrunner Byron Balasco has indicated that additional crossover appearances are possible, saying the franchise is “one kind of big family” and that familiar faces could continue to pop up.

He also previously said Jimmy himself could “pop up again” after the premiere.

Earlier today, we broke down everything you needed to know about the NCIS: New York premiere and how to watch.

NCIS: New York airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.

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