Best NCIS Pairing’s 2026 Reunion Delay Is Secretly Perfect

Throughout the run of the NCIS franchise, each of the shows has featured strong pairings, and though the best of the bunch is facing a delay in their inevitable reunion, it's secretly the perfect choice. As a franchise, NCIS has been pairing its agents off since the very beginning. With personal, professional, and intermingling pairs throughout each series, there have been some duos that have worked better than others throughout the run of each show. The flagship series featured fan-favorite partners-turned-romance Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) and Ziva David (Cote de Pablo), while Los Angeles featured the iconic Kensi Blye (Daniela Ruah) and Marty Deeks (Eric Christian Olsen).

Both TiVa and Densi have been pairs that viewers have hoped to see return to the franchise, and while DiNozzo is the only character currently appearing on an NCIS series of the bunch, reunions for the romances don't look like they're coming down the pipeline anytime soon. Fortunately, professional pairs are also a huge part of NCIS, and with the newest series in the franchise, NCIS: New York, featuring half of the best duo in franchise history, it's possible that a reunion for Sam Hanna (LL Cool J) and G. Callen (Chris O'Donnell) could be in the works as the new series progresses.

Sam, the new focal point of NCIS: New York in his return to the franchise, may have a new partner on the series in Nick Schaffer (Scott Caan), but his long-term partnership with Callen will always be the pinnacle. While O'Donnell has commented on the possibilty of his return to the franchise with some degree of doubt, pushing the Sam and Callen reunion into the future is the best case scenario for NCIS: New York.

Chris O'Donnell Douses Hopes For A Callen's NCIS: New York Season 1 Appearance

While the appeal of bringing Callen into NCIS: New York season 1 for a guest appearance has always been clear, it's been no secret that O'Donnell has other professional commitments that extend far outside of the NCIS universe. Currently starring in ABC's 9-1-1: Nashville, O'Donnell plays the leading role on the series, and it's never been a surprise that the disaster-centric series is his first priority. While viewers have been hopeful about the idea of Callen returning in some capacity, especially after NCIS: Los Angeles' 2023 finale saw him in a whole new stage of life, O'Donnell isn't sure about coming back.

In a recent interview, O'Donnell shared that he wasn't certain about Callen making a return on NCIS: New York, especially any time soon. Sharing that he's currently busy filming 9-1-1: Nashville, which likely has a fairly similar production timeline to the NCIS spinoff, O'Donnell dashed viewers' hopes that Callen would be making a surprise comeback in the new spinoff. While Sam has been working well with Schaffer throughout the show's first stretch of episodes, seeing Callen could reaffirm the pair's long-standing friendship and make it clear that Sam is where he's supposed to be. While an appearance this season is unlikely, a guest spot in the future isn't impossible.

Why Callen's Absence In Season 1 Is Great For NCIS: New York

Although NCIS: New York is chugging along nicely without the addition of Callen, it's also probably for the best that the character doesn't appear in any of the show's establishing episodes. Callen, who spent fourteen seasons with Sam on NCIS: Los Angeles, is a strong presence and has major ties back to his original team. For Sam, who's working to make himself a presence within the new New York-based team, bringing someone from his past into the mix so soon may not be a benefit. Instead, Callen could derail the progress Sam has made as the series has gotten underway, or undermine his new partnership.

On top of the possibility that bringing Callen into the mix could shift the dynamics that are building within the New York team, the character's possible return may not mean as much so early on in NCIS: New York's run. With the series having only aired three episodes thus far, NCIS: New York is still such a new show that it's finding its footing. Viewers, who are still adjusting to seeing a character they know well in a new setting, may not be as interested in a Callen update while the rest of New York's agents are still being solidified.

NCIS: New York is making the right move, and should be holding Callen's possible return for a big moment. Whether that's a huge case that Sam needs assistance with, or a personal moment for the longtime NCIS agent, holding Callen's return for the right time will make it all the better when it finally happens.