Do you need to watch any of the NCIS shows before NCIS: Sydney?

NCIS: Sydney is ready to put the classic CBS franchise in a bold international direction!

Normally, at this point in the year, NCIS and NCIS: Hawaii would be set for some big November episodes. However, thanks to the various writer and actor strikes hitting Hollywood, both shows won’t be back until 2024, with no word on when that can actually happen.

Thankfully, CBS will have some NCIS action after all, with the first international spin-off NCIS: Sydney. The new series produced and filmed in Australia has a trio of American NCIS agents heading to Sydney on a case. They clash with members of the local Australian Federal Police but end up helping them crack the case.

The higher-ups thus decide to pool the teams together into a new task force to track crimes across the Aussie coasts, from smuggling to possible terrorist activity. It looks like a fun series, but do you need to watch all the NCIS shows first?

While NCIS has done some crossovers now and then, for the most part, one could watch just one NCIS show without needing to know about the others. It’s not like NBC’s One Chicago shows with constant connections, as each team basically operates on its own.

With NCIS: Sydney, it’s going to be as much about the Australian officers as the American ones and the culture clash will be key to the drama. In fact, some viewers may not have watched NCIS before and will get a fresh feel for the series and see how the Aussie police handle crimes.

So, while NCIS fans may enjoy this new spin-off, you can take in this series and its exciting new take on the franchise without seeing the other series.

NCIS: Sydney premieres Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 8/7c on CBS. The first season has a total of eight episodes and will be available to stream on Paramount+.