Alright NCIS fans listen up! You know and love the original NCIS right? Well guess what? It has gone global! Yep CBS's hit crime show has a spin-off set in sunny Sydney Australia and it is called NCIS: Sydney. If you are not watching you are seriously missing a fun twist on the NCIS formula. Let's dive in and see what it is all about and catch up on Season 2 action!
NCIS But Make It Aussie: What's the Deal with NCIS: Sydney?
NCIS is a HUGE franchise. We're talking the main show like a million spin-offs and now this international edition. NCIS: Sydney is the first time the NCIS world has gone international and it brings the classic crime solving action down under. It is all about a joint task force with American NCIS agents teaming up with the Aussie Federal Police. Think NCIS vibes but with a cool Australian twist. Critics seem to dig it and it is bringing that familiar NCIS goodness with a fresh location and cast.
Sydney Slow Burn? Season 1 Hiccups and Season 2 Stepping Up Its Game

Season 1 of NCIS: Sydney got mixed reactions from viewers. Critics were generally positive giving it a decent 73% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. They praised it as a good addition to the NCIS family with solid characters and cases. But audiences? Well they were a bit tougher with a lower 29% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Some folks loved the scenery and new faces but others felt the main characters were not clicking and storylines were a bit meh. But don't write it off just yet!
Season 2 seems to be turning things around! The storylines are getting more intense and the characters are finding their groove. The actors are building a better team dynamic and the cases are becoming more personal and higher stakes. The showrunner Morgan O’Neill even said Season 2 is more "ambitious" in the storytelling. We are seeing kidnappings rogue assassins and even cases that touch on bringing back the dead! Talk about amping things up!
Sneak Peek: NCIS Episode "Ladies Night" - Girls' Night Out Gone Wrong!

Want a taste of classic NCIS action? Check out the upcoming episode of the main NCIS show titled " Ladies Night ". It airs Monday March 31st. The episode description is juicy: A girls’ night out takes a turn when NCIS has to investigate a possible arsonist. Sounds like some drama is brewing! Plus it looks like Torres is struggling with work-life balance in this episode. We all know how that goes!
NCIS: Sydney Season 2 Episode 5 "Hell Weak" - Deep Dives and Character Drama!

If you want to jump into NCIS: Sydney Season 2 an episode to check out is Episode 5 "Hell Weak". This episode really puts characters DeShawn Jackson and Evie Cooper through the ringer. The case involves the death of a former Navy SEAL at a wellness retreat and it gets dark fast. Turns out it is connected to a SEAL candidate death years ago and steroids. Things get REALLY personal for DeShawn because it turns out he went through BUD/S training himself but quit right before the end of Hell Week.
This episode explores DeShawn's past and Evie even has to make a tough call and shoot someone to protect DeShawn! The actors Sean Sagar and Tuuli Narkle have talked about how these events are going to affect their characters going forward. It sounds like we will see DeShawn's BUD/S past explored more and Evie will be dealing with the psychological impact of having to use deadly force. This episode is a great example of Season 2 digging deeper into the characters.
NCIS: Sydney Season 2 Episode 5 "Shucked" Review - Human Trafficking and Black Market Drama!
Another NCIS: Sydney Season 2 episode to watch is Episode 5 "Shucked". This one starts with a murder but quickly spirals into a case involving abalone smuggling and THEN human trafficking in a strip club! Talk about layers of crime! Reviewers say this episode feels more like classic NCIS and lets the characters' personalities really come through.
While some of the bad guys are a bit one-dimensional the main cast shines. Mackey is in "boss mode" Dempsey and Mackey have their usual banter and Evie is as sassy as ever. The reviewer does note that the subplot about Agent Blue's mysterious birthday feels a bit weak but overall "Shucked" delivers a solid and entertaining crime mystery in that classic NCIS style.
Must-Know Facts About NCIS: Sydney Season 2
- More Intense Storylines: Season 2 is stepping up the stakes with more ambitious and personal cases.
- Character Development: Season 2 delves deeper into the backstories and personal lives of the main characters like DeShawn and Evie.
- "Hell Weak" Episode: Episode 5 is a key episode exploring DeShawn's past and Evie's character defining moment.
- "Shucked" Episode: Episode 5 is praised for its complex plot classic NCIS feel and character interactions.
- Streaming on Paramount+: Catch up on Season 1 and Season 2 episodes on Paramount+.
- Airing on CBS: New episodes of NCIS: Sydney Season 2 air Fridays on CBS.
- Renewed for Season 3: Good news! NCIS: Sydney will be back for a third season!
Give NCIS: Sydney a Chance! It's Worth a Look for NCIS Fans
So is NCIS: Sydney worth checking out? If you are an NCIS fan the answer is probably yes! Season 1 might have had some growing pains but Season 2 sounds like it is hitting its stride. With a great cast awesome Aussie scenery and those familiar NCIS crime solving vibes it is a fun addition to the franchise. Plus you can catch all the action on Paramount+ and keep up with the original NCIS on CBS. Happy watching mate!