CBS is eyeing a third possible NCIS series.
The planted spinoff will center on new characters who will be introduced in an upcoming two-part episode of NCIS: LA, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.
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Centered on a mobile team of agents who live and work together as they go across the country to solve crimes, the potential spinoff will be written and executive produced by NCIS: LA boss Shane Brennan.
NCIS: LA was first introduced as a two-hour episode of NCIS in 2009 before launching as a full-blown series later that fall. NCIS itself was a planted spinoff of the long-running JAG, first establishing itself in a two-parter in JAG's eighth season before premiering in fall 2003.
The news comes as CBS continues to produce offshoots via the planted spinoff formula with established procedurals: CSI spawned the now defunct CSI: Miami and CSI: NY, and Criminal Intent launched Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior, which lasted one season.
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Currently in season 10, NCIS has been a strong ratings performer Tuesday nights, with NCIS: LA serving as a lead-out. Thus far in season four, NCIS: LA has averaged 15.9 million viewers and a 3.0 rating among the advertiser-coveted adults 18-49 demo.
NCIS creator Donald Bellisario is currently embroiled in a lawsuit regarding profits he claims he is owed on NCIS: LA.
E-mail: Philiana.Ng@thr.com
Twitter: @insidethetube
