‘NCIS: New Orleans’ Is Not the Only Hit CBS Is Canceling in 2021

The hits just keep on coming for CBS fans. Weeks after announcing that they were canceling ‘NCIS: New Orleans’ — which led to rumors that Mark Harmon may be leaving the flagship ‘NCIS’ after season 18 — CBS gave the ax to another long-running hit.

by Perry Carpenter

Published on April 9, 2021

3 min read

In February 2021, CBS announced the cancelation of NCIS: New Orleans after seven seasons. It was big news from the network, as the NCIS franchise features some of their most-watched primetime dramas. But, the NOLA spinoff isn’t the only hit show that CBS is canceling this year.

The cast of 'NCIS: New Orleans' in an episode from February 6, 2021 — The cast of ‘NCIS: New Orleans’ | Skip Bolen/CBS via Getty Images

‘NCIS: New Orleans’ executive producers are disappointed

When the news broke on February 17 that CBS had canceled NCIS: New Orleans, executive producers Christopher Silber and Jan Nash issued a statement. The duo told The Hollywood Reporter that it has been their “sincere pleasure and honor” to work with the show’s “incredible cast and crew for over 150 episodes.”

“As disappointed as we are to see NOLA end, we couldn’t be prouder of the work we’ve done and are grateful to the spectacular and resilient Crescent City that embraced us for seven wonderful years,” Silber and Nash said.

The series finale airs in May

With the cancelation coming earlier in the year, the writers at NCIS: New Orleans were given the opportunity to wrap up all of the major storylines. The final episode will air on May 16. And CBS Entertainment President Kelly Kahl promises “a big sendoff.”

“NOLA has played a key role on our schedule,” Kahl said. “We’re pleased to give it a big sendoff and that viewers will have the opportunity to say goodbye to their favorite characters as the final season wraps.”

Star and executive producer Scott Bakula (Dwayne Pride) says that he’s sad to see the show come to an end. But, he is grateful for all of the friends he’s made along the way.

‘NCIS: New Orleans’ isn’t the only drama CBS has canceled

Weeks after CBS announced the cancelation of NCIS: New Orleans, the network has made another big move to their primetime lineup. After five seasons, they’ve also canceled the MacGyver reboot starring Lucas Till. This will make the April 30 episode both the season finale and the series finale.

“All of us at CBS are extremely grateful for the incredible work and dedication from Lucas and the rest of the cast, as well as Monica, the writers and the entire crew,” Kahl told Deadline. “The MacGyver team traveled far and wide to repeatedly save the world with little more than bubble gum and a paper clip and made this show distinctly their own.”

In addition to NCIS: New Orleans and MacGyver, CBS has also canceled the long-running sitcom Mom starring Allison Janney.

‘MacGyver’s’ ratings fell during season 5

According to Kahl, the “dedicated and loyal” MacGyver fan base will get the opportunity to say goodbye to their favorite characters. The final episode will be one that the “series deserves.”

TVLine reports that season 5 has been a bit of a disappointment for the network when it comes to the numbers. The drama has been averaging 4.8 million total viewers, which is down a whopping 22 percent from season 4.

The show has also made some major behind-the-scenes turmoil. Last summer, the network ended its relationship with executive producer Peter M. Lenkov after Till claimed he’d created a toxic work environment that left him suicidal.

The cancelation of ‘NCIS: New Orleans’ doesn’t mean the end of the franchise

Even though CBS is saying goodbye to MacGyver and NCIS: New Orleans, the network appears to be holding on to their popular NCIS franchise. The flagship series, NCIS, is still their most-watched drama and one of their most valuable IPs.

The network hasn’t officially renewed NCIS for season 19 or NCIS: Los Angeles for season 13, but the franchise will live on in some form. When it was revealed that NCIS: New Orleans was on the chopping block, insiders claimed CBS was close to greenlighting the spinoff NCIS: Hawaii.