When a beloved character vanishes mid-show, viewers want answers. For NCIS: Sydney fans, that character is Bluebird “Blue” Gleeson, and the departure has stirred plenty of questions. Here’s a clear, fact-checked guide to the NCIS: Sydney cast in 2025 — who plays whom, who left, who’s American (spoiler: none of them), and what’s next for the show.

4 related posts

Main cast members: 7 ·
Premiere date: November 10, 2023 ·
Seasons aired: 2 (Season 3 airing in 2025) ·
Network: CBS (U.S.) / Network 10 (Australia) ·
Country of filming: Australia

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Season 4 renewal status remains unannounced (CBR)
  • Blue’s long-term future after her guest return (CBR)
  • Blue’s real name (Faith Mullins) and background details (CBR) – may evolve
  • Whether Blue will reappear beyond Season 3, Episode 2 (CBR)
3Timeline signal
  • Season 2 finale aired January 31, 2025 (Wikipedia)
  • Season 3 premiered May 2025 (Wikipedia)
4What’s next
  • Blue returns as a guest in Season 3, Episode 2 “True Blue” (CBR)
  • Season 4 decision pending production and ratings (CBR)

Seven key facts about the show, distilled.

Label Value
Show NCIS: Sydney
Genre Crime drama, military procedural
Premiere November 10, 2023
Network CBS (US), Network 10 (AU)
Number of seasons 2 (Season 3 began 2025)
Number of episodes 16 (as of end of season 2)
Main cast count 7

Is Blue leaving NCIS: Sydney?

What happened to Blue Gleeson?

Bluebird “Blue” Gleeson, played by Mavournee Hazel, was a core member of the NCIS: Sydney task force. According to showrunner Morgan O’Neill, Hazel’s departure after Season 2 was an amicable creative decision. O’Neill told TV Insider (TV news outlet) that the door remains open for her to return.

  • Blue is an AFP forensic scientist with an enigmatic past. CBR reports her real name is Faith Mullins and that she forged official identification documents (CBR).
  • Her character arc ends with her resignation, influenced by the Bilpin Collective leader Aspira (NCIS Database).

Did Mavournee Hazel leave NCIS: Sydney?

Yes. Mavournee Hazel departed the main cast after Season 2. NCIS: Sydney Season 3’s cast list on Rotten Tomatoes still includes Hazel (Rotten Tomatoes), consistent with her guest return. The departure was not due to conflict; the showrunner framed it as a narrative choice.

Will Blue return in season 3?

Blue returns in Season 3, Episode 2, titled “True Blue” (CBR), as a guest character. Her future beyond that episode is uncertain. CBR’s review notes that her ultimate intentions remain unresolved as of that installment.

The trade-off

For fans invested in Blue, the guest return offers closure — but with new revelations about her past (forgery, assumed identity), it’s an open question whether she’ll ever rejoin the team.

The implication: Blue’s storyline is designed to keep audiences guessing, with a permanent exit still unconfirmed.

Are any of the actors on NCIS: Sydney American?

Which cast members are American?

None. All main cast members on NCIS: Sydney are either Australian or British. The show was filmed entirely in Australia and draws primarily from local talent.

Are the lead actors American or Australian?

The lead actors are Olivia Swann (British) and Todd Lasance (Australian). Swann plays Michelle Mackey, the team leader. Lasance plays JD Dempsey, her counterpart. The production’s casting director focused on authenticity for the Sydney setting.

  • Olivia Swann (Michelle Mackey) – British, born in London. Her background in UK television includes roles in DC’s Legends of Tomorrow.
  • Todd Lasance (JD Dempsey) – Australian, known for Spartacus and The Vampire Diaries.
  • Sean Sagar (DeShawn Jackson) – English, of British-Guyanese heritage. Previously in The Gentlemen (2024 TV Series).
  • Tuuli Narkle (Constance “Connie” – Wikipedia lists her character as Constable Evie Cooper) – Australian, Indigenous actress and writer (Wikipedia).
  • Mavournee Hazel (Bluebird Gleeson) – Australian, born in Melbourne.
  • William McInnes (Roy “Rosie” Penrose) – Australian, veteran actor (Wikipedia).
  • Nadim Accari (Hakim) – Australian, originally from Lebanon.

The seven main cast members, one pattern: no Americans, but a genuinely international team reflecting Australia’s diverse acting pool. The split — three British-born actors (Swann, Sagar, and Mavournee Hazel was educated in Australia but is Australian) — underscores the show’s Commonwealth casting strategy.

Who resigned on NCIS: Sydney?

Who left the show?

Mavournee Hazel, portraying Bluebird “Blue” Gleeson, resigned from the main cast after Season 2. Her character’s departure was woven into the storyline through the Bilpin Collective narrative arc (NCIS Database).

Did anyone else resign besides Blue?

No other main cast members have left. Olivia Swann, Todd Lasance, Sean Sagar, Tuuli Narkle, William McInnes, and Nadim Accari all remain with the show into Season 3.

Why did Mavournee Hazel leave?

According to the showrunner, the departure was a creative decision — not driven by personal conflict. It allowed the writers to explore Blue’s backstory in a way that deepened the season’s central mystery.

The paradox

Blue leaves the task force — but her guest return reveals she’s been leading a double life. Viewers get more of Hazel’s performance, yet the character herself becomes less trustworthy.

What this means: Blue’s departure was a narrative choice, not a personal one, and her guest return adds complexity without guaranteeing a full return.

Is there a season 4 for NCIS: Sydney?

Has NCIS: Sydney been renewed for season 4?

As of 2025, CBS and Network 10 have not announced a Season 4 renewal. Network 10 has not issued a statement about the show’s future beyond Season 3.

When will season 4 be announced?

Renewal typically follows ratings performance and production scheduling. Season 3 began airing in May 2025, so an announcement would likely come after the season concludes.

How many seasons will NCIS: Sydney have?

No official cap has been set. The show’s performance — viewership on CBS and Network 10 — will determine its longevity. Season 3 has eight episodes, consistent with previous seasons.

Who are the main cast members of NCIS: Sydney?

Who plays each character?

The main cast, with character names and actor backgrounds:

  • Olivia Swann – NCIS Special Agent Michelle Mackey, team lead. British actress, previously on DC’s Legends of Tomorrow.
  • Todd Lasance – NCIS Special Agent JD Dempsey, Australian actor. Known for Spartacus and The Vampire Diaries.
  • Sean Sagar – NCIS Special Agent DeShawn Anthony Jackson, British actor. Previously in The Gentlemen (2024 TV Series).
  • Tuuli Narkle – Constable Evie Cooper (often called “Connie” in press), Australian Indigenous actress. Played roles in Mystery Road and The Heights.
  • Mavournee Hazel – NCIS Special Agent Bluebird “Blue” Gleeson, Australian actress. Known for Neighbours.
  • William McInnes – Roy “Rosie” Penrose, Australian actor. Decades of credits including Blue Heelers and The Newsreader.
  • Nadim Accari – Hakim, Australian actor of Lebanese heritage. Also in The Tourist and The Cry.

Rotten Tomatoes (TV database) lists all seven for Season 3.

The seven actors, one pattern: a mix of established Australian talent and British imports, creating a cross-Pacific dynamic that mirrors the show’s NCIS/ANZAC partnership premise.

Female cast members

Three women anchor the main cast:

  • Olivia Swann (Michelle Mackey) – the highest-ranking NCIS officer in the team.
  • Tuuli Narkle (Evie Cooper) – the forensic specialist and youngest member.
  • Mavournee Hazel (Bluebird Gleeson) – the departing forensic scientist.

Season 2 cast additions

Sara Richardson joined the cast in Season 2 as a recurring character, per Rotten Tomatoes. No new main cast members were added in Season 2.

Timeline

  • November 10, 2023 – Season 1 premiere (Wikipedia)
  • January 25, 2024 – Season 1 finale (Wikipedia)
  • February 2024 – Season 2 announced
  • November 15, 2024 – Season 2 premiere (Wikipedia)
  • January 31, 2025 – Season 2 finale (Wikipedia)
  • May 2025 – Season 3 premiere (Wikipedia)

The timeline confirms that the show has maintained a steady release rhythm, with no delays reported.

Confirmed facts and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Bluebird Gleeson departs after Season 2 (Rotten Tomatoes)
  • Main cast members are Australian or British — no American actors in the main roster (Wikipedia)
  • Season 3 is airing in 2025 (Rotten Tomatoes)

What’s unclear

  • Season 4 renewal status.
  • Whether Blue’s guest return leads to a permanent reappearance.
  • Blue’s real name (Faith Mullins) and background details (CBR) – subject to plot evolution.
  • Her appearance beyond Season 3, Episode 2.

The catch: While many details are clear, the future beyond season 3 is still up in the air.

Quotes from the showrunner

“We wanted to give Blue a proper farewell and also leave the possibility for her to return someday.”

— Morgan O’Neill, showrunner of NCIS: Sydney, in an interview with TV Insider (TV news outlet)

“Blue’s absence is still unresolved as of Season 3, Episode 2, because she has not clearly stated whether she will return to the task force.”

— CBR (entertainment news site)

For viewers who followed Blue’s arc from forensic analyst to fugitive, the showrunner’s comments signal a deliberate open door — but the narrative risk is that ambiguity can feel like abandonment.

Additional sources

youtube.com, tvbrittanyf.com

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Frequently asked questions

Who is the lead actor in NCIS: Sydney?

The lead roles are shared by Olivia Swann (Michelle Mackey) and Todd Lasance (JD Dempsey). Both are featured as the primary NCIS agents on the show.

How many episodes are in NCIS: Sydney season 1?

Season 1 had eight episodes, as did Season 2. Season 3 also consists of eight episodes.

Where was NCIS: Sydney filmed?

The series was filmed in and around Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Is NCIS: Sydney a spin-off of NCIS?

Yes, it is the second international spin-off of NCIS, following NCIS: Los Angeles and others. It airs as part of the NCIS franchise on CBS.

Who plays the role of DeShawn Jackson?

British actor Sean Sagar plays NCIS Special Agent DeShawn Anthony Jackson.

Which actors are returning for season 3?

All main cast members from Seasons 1 and 2, including Mavournee Hazel (as a guest), have returned for Season 3.

What is the character Blue Gleeson’s role?

Blue is an AFP forensic scientist assigned to the NCIS task force. She’s known for her sharp analysis and mysterious personal history.

Bottom line: For NCIS: Sydney fans, the cast is strictly Australian and British — no American leads. Blue Gleeson’s departure is real but not permanent, with a guest return in Season 3. Season 4 awaits a call from CBS and Network 10. For viewers invested in Blue’s arc, the guest episode offers closure but leaves her ultimate fate hanging.