‘NCIS: New Orleans’ Ending With Season 7 on CBS

CBS is closing up shop on one of its three NCIS dramas.

NCIS: New Orleans, the youngest show in the franchise, will end with its current seventh season. The series finale of the Scott Bakula-led drama will air May 16 on CBS.

“It has been our sincere pleasure and honor to work on this show and with this incredible cast and crew for over 150 episodes,” said executive producers Christopher Silber and Jan Nash. “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.”

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'NCIS' Hawaii-Set Spinoff Near CBS Series Pickup

The timing comes as Silber and Nash are collaborating on another incarnation of the NCIS franchise with NCIS: Hawaii near a series pickup at CBS.

“Sad to end our love affair with this phenomenal city but so grateful for all the friends we made along the way,” said series star and executive producer Scott Bakula. “I will miss the music. Big thank you to CBS for seven years.”

Hawaii would be the fourth series in the NCIS franchise. The flagship is awaiting word on season 19 and, per sources, could be nearing its end as leading man Harmon’s deal is up this season. Sources say when Harmon heard CBS would end the flagship series if he left, the star and exec producer began conversations with the network and producers CBS Studios to return for a handful of episodes if the procedural was to return for a 19th season.

Harmon, who originated his character of special agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs on JAG before being spun off to lead NCIS, has helped grow the franchise to spinoffs NCIS: Los Angeles and NCIS: New Orleans. NCIS: LA is awaiting word on its 13th season on CBS. Harmon exec produces NCIS: New Orleans. He is not involved in NCIS: L.A. The flagship NCIS is the longest-running show on CBS — and its most expensive. It also ranks as the most watched series on television, with more than 15 million total viewers. NCIS is also the No. 1 global TV series in the world, having been syndicated both domestically and internationally, where it is licensed in more than 200 countries and territories.

“From the start, NCIS: New Orleans was able to distinguish itself with its New Orleans authenticity,” said Kelly Kahl, President, CBS Entertainment, “from the colors and music to the vibrancy and stories you can only find in the Big Easy. Thanks to the amazing talents of the producers, writers, cast and crew, ‘NOLA’ has played a key role on our schedule. 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.”

The news arrives as CBS is also ending Chuck Lorre-produced comedy Mom in May after eight seasons.