NCIS: New Orleans Explores Crime In The Crescent City

Military investigation heads to The Big Easy in the second spinoff of CBS’ venerable NCIS franchise. Bakula stars as special agent Dwayne “King” Pride, the leader of a small satellite office serving the military men and women who reside in, visit and find trouble in The Crescent City.

NCIS: New Orleans
L-R: Zoe McLellan as Special Agent Meredith “Merri” Brody, Scott Bakula as Special Agent Dwayne Pride, Rob Kerkovich as Sebastian Lund, CCH Pounder as Dr. Loretta Wade, and Lucas Black as Special Agent Christopher LaSalle

Fans were first introduced to Pride and his crew in a two-part NCIS case that aired in Spring 2014. How NCIS: New Orleans’ show format will differ from the original remains to be seen, but Bakula, playing an old pal of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, is a welcome and charming sight whose catchphrase “my brotha’” will quickly become part of your lexicon, although I’ve heard that his Cajun accent is a bit dialed-down from the cross-over pilots where it was perceived by some as too gumbo-thick.

Also different from the pilot is the introduction of unknown actor Rob Kerkovich, whose forensic specialist Sebastian Lund will be a geeky-compatriot for coroner Dr. Loretta Wade, played by CCH Pounder.

MORE: We’ve got 5 Questions for CCH Pounder of NCIS: New Orleans

The flavor of New Orleans is sprinkled throughout the show, with landmarks like Jackson Square, Canal Street, Mother’s Restaurant and Café du Monde featured prominently, and how the show handles February’s Mardi Gras festivities should be an episode not to miss. And as the offspring of CBS’ reigning juggernaut, NCIS, NCIS: New Orleans is already poised to be a ratings smash. Mark your viewing schedule for this Cajun spinoff and laissez les bons temps rouler — let the good times roll!

NCIS: New Orleans > CBS > Tuesdays, at 9pm ET/PT beginning Sept. 23

Image: Skip Bolen/CBS ©2014 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved