TV's NCIS To Launch Australian Spinoff, NCIS: Sydney

The long-running NCIS franchise has its first global iteration, in the form of NCIS: Sydney.

The show has been commissioned by streaming service Paramount+ and CBS Studios.

It will launch exclusively on Paramount+ and Network 10 in Australia, before debuting internationally in 2023.

The original NCIS is a spin-off from JAG, and has run for over 400 episodes since its premiere in 2003.

It's already been spun-off into NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: New Orleans and NCIS: Hawai'i.

NCIS: Sydney will feature 'local stories and creative talent', Paramount+ said, including the Australian creator of NCIS: Los Angeles, Shane Brennan.

It's unclear how the show's plot would play out in Australia, given the show revolves around fictional stories from real-life US agency, the Naval Criminal Investigation Service (NCIS).

The NCIS' primary function is to investigate criminal activities involving the US Navy and Marine Corps.

It's also charged with protecting US naval assets worldwide via a broader mandate of national security, counterintelligence, counter-terrorism and cyber warfare.

The real NCIS does have a Global Operations Directorate which runs worldwide operations around espionage, counterintelligence, economic crimes, forensic services and technical surveillance, however its APAC operations are headquartered in Singapore.

The show 'will be filmed against the awe-inspiring, panoramic and spectacular backdrop of one of the world's most breathtaking harbour cities - Sydney', publicity for the show said.

Local chief content officer for Viacom CBS - which owns both Network 10 and Paramount+ - Beverley McGarvey, said they can't wait to get production underway.

"We are thrilled to welcome the inaugural international series of NCIS to Australian shores.

"It is such a privilege to be able to continue the legacy of such a wonderful show and incorporate the superior NCIS storytelling while introducing new Australian characters and locations."

Cast announcements will be made soon.

The original NCIS is reportedly 'one of the world's most successful TV dramas', according to Paramount+, ranking as the #1 US TV franchise globally.

It was also the most-watched series during the 2020-2021 US television season, an honour it has kept up so far throughout the 2021-2022 season.