LL COOL J Reflects on ‘Amazing’ NCIS Run as His LA Character Sam Heads to Hawai’i: ‘Let’s Do This’ (Exclusive)

LL COOL J returns to NCIS space — only this time, he trades the energy of the big city for sand and surf!

In an exclusive conversation with PEOPLE ahead of his debut on NCIS: Hawaiirapper, 56 opens up about his return to the franchise and the “good energy” and “good vibes” he’s been feeling.

“I had fun,” he says, before adding how much of a reprise his role is NCIS: LASam Hanna “in the new script” was great. “It just felt good. I felt like, ‘You know what? Let’s have some fun. Let’s do it’.”

Vanessa Lachey as Jane Tennant and LL COOL J as Sam Hanna in ‘NCIS: Hawai’i’.

Karen Neal/CBS

LL Cool J Joins ‘NCIS: Hawai’i’ Season 3 as Sam Hanna: ‘Watching You’

LL COOL J notes that his involvement in the Los Angeles-based spinoff series concluded in a way that was “open-ended” and shares how his time in Hawaii will allow viewers to delve deeper into Sam’s story.

“The story was definitely not finished at all, that’s for sure,” he explains. “We’re learning more about Sam, but remember, this is a different matter because Sam was transported here.”

While he doesn’t know “how long Sam will be around” or how many episodes fans can expect to see him in this season, the “Doin’ It” artist says he’s taking things “one step at a time.”

“I’m in the dark as much as the audience. We’re just having fun with it,” he laughs.

LL COOL J as Sam Hanna and Vanessa Lachey as Jane Tennant in ‘NCIS: Hawai’i’.

Karen Neal/CBS

LL Cool J ‘Didn’t Read Final Script’ For ‘NCIS: LA’ Before Filming: ‘I Let It Surprise Me’ (Exclusive)

The Grammy-winning artist also reveals that his “chemistry” with the show’s lead, Vanessa Lachey, was a “good vibe.”

“I think it’s a good energy,” he says of Lachey, 43. “She’s a lot of fun. I’m really happy for her, happy for the success she’s enjoying with the show, and I’m looking forward to contributing to the episodes where appear and I just hope that the show will be much more enjoyable.”

Thinking about NCIS‘ “amazing” upcoming milestone of 1,000 episodes in April, LL COOL J admits it feels “good” to contribute to the feat.

“I think it’s an incredible milestone. I’m so glad to be a part of something so special and unique in history, one of the longest-running franchises in television history,” he says. “It feels amazing. So I’m looking forward to seeing how people react when they finally get a chance to see what we’re doing this year or with this episode.”

Everything you need to know NCIS Hawaii Season 3

As for the show’s longevity, LL COOL J credits “the humor, the banter [and] action” that the franchise is known for its ability to last for years.

Noting that the series could not survive without the dedication of the viewers, he says that only the fans will know the secret of its success.

“Ultimately, the fans have to answer that question. They can answer that question better than I can, but they know why they tune in to watch it,” he says.

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NCIS: Hawaii airs Mondays at 10pm ET/PT on CBS.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education