LOS ANGELES —The newest members of the successful “NCIS” TV franchise understand the importance of their family roots.
But the stars and producers of “NCIS: New Orleans” also are betting that the crime drama’s setting, one of America’s most distinctive cities, will exert its own magic with viewers.
The series debuts at 8 p.m. locally Sept. 23 on CBS, drafting on TV’s top-rated drama “NCIS” that airs at 7 p.m.
“It’s really about the DNA of the city and the whole Gulf Coast,” said executive producer Jeffrey Lieber.
“The mysteries are sort of infused with a kind of culture and soul — which is not to say anything about ‘NCIS’ — but you feel the city in every beat and starting to inform the characters as well,” Lieber said during a panel discussion with TV critics.
“NCIS: New Orleans” is taped, both on location and at a studio, in the Big Easy and its surroundings. CBS offered viewers a taste last season, using a two-episode arc on “NCIS” to test its potential and then greenlighting the new series with star Scott Bakula.
In “NCIS: NOLA,” to use its network nickname, Bakula plays Dwayne Pride, a special agent with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. He’s based in the New Orleans field office that handles cases involving military personnel.
He’s not taking success for granted, Bakula said recently on the set.
“We’re killing ourselves trying to make a great show and provide a great hour of entertainment,” he said.
Lucas Black, Zoe McLellan, CCH Pounder and Rob Kerkovich also star.
The other cast member — New Orleans — won’t be shown only in its jazziest, most alluring guise.
New Orleans brings its “flavor and flair and unique culture and fun” to the series, Black said.
It can also come with strings: Hot, sticky weather.
“I’m used to this heat out here,” Black said, grinning.
“It’s kind of fun for me to see some of the people that come from Los Angeles. They struggle out here in this humid weather.”
