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Paramount+ Australia has today announced the renewal of the Australian original action drama series NCIS: Sydney for a third season with filming to start on Monday, 24 February.
As the first international iteration of the franchise outside of the US, the first season of NCIS: Sydney released in 2023 was one of the most-watched local series since the launch of Paramount+ Australia and earned a 2024 TV Week Logie nomination for Best Drama.
The show later premiered on CBS US as the #1 new drama in the fall of the 2023-2024 season, with the series premiere reaching over 10 million viewers on linear in the US, including an encore episode. The second season recently premiered at the end of January.
The series will be produced by Endemol Shine Australia, a subsidiary of France's Banijay, for CBS Studios and Paramount Australia.
"Endemol Shine Australia is honoured to be bringing a third season of this proudly Australian production to the screen," says Endemol Shine Australia's executive producer and head of scripted, Sara Richardson.
"With the success of season one, and season two rolling out around the world – we are so excited to be back with our team and shooting in some of our country’s most beautiful and breathtaking locations.
"The entire cast and crew are extremely proud of NCIS: Sydney, and the unique Australian touch we have brought to such an established and universally loved franchise."
Paramount Australia’s creative advisor for drama, Rick Maier, says the company is "very excited to be back in production again".
"Got to be proud of any Australian series doing this well on a global scale," Maier says.
"The second season of NCIS: Sydney is already building on the success of the first, and the scripts for series three are in fantastic shape."
NCIS: Sydney stars Olivia Swann, Todd Lasance, Sean Sagar, Tuuli Narkle, Mavournee Hazel and William McInnes. The series is created by Morgan O’Neill, who serves as executive producer alongside Endemol Shine Australia’s Sara Richardson, Sue Seeary and Louisa Kors.
"With two seasons under our belt, we are looking forward to upping the ante and bringing even more fun-filled, high-octane action from our incredible NCIS: Sydney team," adds executive producer and showrunner Morgan O’Neill.
The announcement comes amidst a bustling time for the TV and film industry in Australia after the limited series Apple Cider Vinegar - shot in Melbourne - climbed to #3 in the global Netflix chart for English-language shows in its second week.
Telling the story of wellness influencer Belle Gibson, Apple Cider Vinegar rose to number one for the streaming platform in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Lithuania and Latvia, and was among the most watched in the UK (3), Canada (3), South Africa (2), Israel (2), Poland (4), UAE (4) and Kenya (4).
The limited series reached the top 10 in 57 countries, and had spill-over effects for the book it was based upon, the fictional series The Woman Who Fooled The World by Beau Donelly and Nick Toscano, becoming the #1 paid title on Apple and the #1 Audible audiobook on Amazon.
Apple Cider Vinegar is the latest Australian series to feature in the Netflix Top 10, with Territory peaking at #2, Heartbreak High S2 peaking at #5, and Boy Swallows Universe peaking at #3 on the global Top 10 English TV list.
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