LL Cool J Returning to ‘NCIS’ Season 22: ‘Back on Set’ ArticlePure

LL Cool J is making his NCIS return!

On Thursday, March 20, the Grammy Award-winning artist and actor, 57, shared a joint Instagram post with NCIS to announce a special surprise. 

The clip began with a blurred image, as the words “Guess who’s back” appeared.

A hand wiped away the clouded screen, revealing the “Mama Said Knock You Out” rapper on the other side. 

“That’s better,” LL Cool J said. “Back on set, baby! NCIS. Let’s get it.”

After his quick cameo ended, another message followed, letting fans know the “Luv U Better” artist, born James Todd Smith, would be returning to the series as Sam Hanna on April 21.

“Like no time has passed,” the post was captioned.

In a March 4 interview with TV Insider, Brian Dietzen, who has played the supporting role of Dr. Jimmy Palmer on NCIS since 2004, told the outlet that a big reveal was on the way. 

“There are,” he said of characters returning to the long-running drama series that’s led to multiple city spinoffs. 

“In fact, I just worked with one, and I’m not allowed to tell you, but I’ll tell you it’s someone from NCIS‘s past, and it’s going to be fantastic, and I think people are really going to lose their s—,” Dietzen, 47, said earlier this month.

Ahead of NCIS: Hawai’i’s season 3 cancellation announcement in April 2024, LL Cool J spoke exclusively to PEOPLE before his series debut, adding that returning to the franchise in Hawai’i felt like “good energy” and “good vibes.”

“It just felt right to me. It felt like, ‘You know what? Let’s have some fun. Let’s do this,’ ” the “Paradise” rapper told PEOPLE.

“The story definitely wasn’t over at all, that’s for sure,” he added of his character’s NCIS journey. “We’re finding out more about Sam, but remember, this is a different thing because Sam was transferred here.”

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The Deep Blue Sea alum starred in NCIS: Hawai’i opposite series lead Vanessa Lachey.

“I think it’s good energy,” LL Cool J told PEOPLE of his costar. “She’s a lot of fun. I’m really happy for her, happy for the success that she’s enjoying with the show, and I look forward to making my contribution in the episodes that I appear and just hopefully making the show that much more enjoyable.”

NCIS resumes Season 22 on Monday, March 24.