Skip to main contentSkip to footer
Yasmine Al-Bustami as Lucy Tara and Alex Tarrant as Kai Holman in NCIS: Hawai'i© CBS

NCIS: Hawai'i to welcome two returning stars in 'cliffhanger' season 3 finale - details

Fans can expect action, death and a cliffhanger in the season 3 finale

Nicky Morris
TV and film writer
April 3, 2024
Share this:

NCIS: Hawai'i is set to welcome two familiar faces in its upcoming season three finale. 

According to Alex Tarrant, who plays Kai Holman, fans can expect "two special visits" from guest stars in the final episode. 

Recommended videoYou may also likeWATCH: Have you been watching the latest season of NCIS?

"There's NCIS Elite. There are two special visits," he told TVLine, who confirmed that one of the stars returning to our screens is Henry Ian Cusick, who plays Agent John Swift. 

Expanding on the episode, Alex said: "There is definitely a special twist that comes in towards the end. It was a shock to me when I was reading the scripts, that's for sure."

Alex Tarrant as Kai Holman, Vanessa Lachey as Jane Tennant, and Noah Mills as Jesse Boone in NCIS: Hawai'i© CBS Photo Archive
The season 3 finale will welcome two returning stars

Teasing a cliffhanger ending, he added: "And yes, the finale "most definitely… ends on a cliffhanger."

While the finale's plot details have been kept under wraps, we know it will be a two-parter. What's more, Yasmine Al-Bustami previously revealed that fans can expect a dramatic episode, featuring "a lot of action" and "death". 

While we've still got a few weeks to go until season three concludes, fans will already be thinking about season four. 

Yasmine Al-Bustami as Lucy Tara in NCIS: Hawai'i© CBS Photo Archive
Yasmine Al-Bustami teased 'a lot of action' in the final episode

CBS has yet to confirm the show's future, with the network's Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach telling Deadline that it's "a little too early" to officially announce renewals.

However, during an exclusive interview with HELLO!, Jason Antoon, who plays Ernie Malik, revealed that he's hoping to direct an episode of series four, suggesting that the show will likely return.

Jason Antoon as Ernie Malik in NCIS: Hawai'i© CBS Photo Archive
Jason Antoon plays Ernie Malik in the series

"I'm going to hopefully direct an episode of next season," the actor told us. 

"There's talks of that. I shadowed a few directors last season to be able to see the behind-the-scenes stuff. You've got to put in the work and show the production team that you're serious about it."

Jason also addressed the possibility of a crossover episode, revealing that it won't happen anytime soon. "That would be amazing and of course, I'm sure they would bring someone here and be like, 'Vanessa [Lachey] you go to Sydney'," he said.  

Wilmer Valderrama as Special Agent Nicholas Nick Torres, Vanessa Lachey as Jane Tennant, Jason Antoon as Ernie Malik, Brian Dietzen as Jimmy Palmer, and Katrina Law as NCIS Special Agent Jessica Knight© Robert Voets/CBS via Getty Images
Jason said a crossover episode won't be happening this season

"Would they do that? I have no idea. I don't think that would happen this season, of course, but people want to come to Hawai'i."

The most recent crossover episode aired in January last year, which saw the Hawai'i and LA spin-off shows unite with the flagship drama for a three-hour special event. 

It was LL Cool J's trip to Hawai'i for the crossover episode that influenced his decision to join the cast for season three as a recurring guest star. "When he guest-starred in the crossovers when Chris O'Donnell and Wilmer Valderrama came, LL really loved the vibe," revealed Jason. 

Vanessa Lachey and LL Cool J in NCIS: Hawai'i © Karen Neal/CBS
LL Cool J joined NCIS: Hawai'i as a recurring guest star for season 3

"He talks about loving what he saw with the cast and the island and he really loved being part of that. I think that's why it came to be that he's on our show now."

NCIS: Hawai'i airs on Mondays at 10/9c on CBS. 

Sign up to Off Camera for all the gossip and goings-on from the wonderful world of TV and film

By entering your details, you are agreeing to HELLO! Magazine User Data Protection Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information, please click here.

More TV and Film

See more