Imagine the heart-pounding tension of a leader questioning every decision they've ever made – that's exactly what's in store for NCIS: Sydney fans as season three dives deep into the emotional wreckage left by the previous finale.
Marking its exciting return, NCIS: Sydney season three kicks off on CBS this Tuesday, October 14, and actress Olivia Swann, who brings the fierce Michelle Mackey to life, is spilling some intriguing details about how the shocking end of season two will ripple through the story. 'Mackay isn't the type to easily own up to her mistakes,' Olivia shares with HELLO!, 'but you'll definitely catch her grappling with the messy aftermath from the Darwin mission.'
One of the standout elements this season is watching Mackay, usually so confident in her command, start to doubt her own judgment. Picture this: as a team leader in high-stakes operations, she's now pausing to think, 'Whoa, what if my call turns out disastrously wrong and endangers everyone, including me?' For newcomers to the show, this kind of internal conflict adds layers to her character, showing how even the strongest figures in law enforcement can face real vulnerability under pressure – it's a relatable reminder that no one's infallible in life-or-death scenarios.
To catch everyone up without spoiling too much, the season two closer (as Olivia broke down in an exclusive chat here: https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/812016/ncis-sydney-olivia-swann-breaks-down-shocking-season-two-premiere-exclusive/) revealed that Sergeant Jim 'JD' Dempsey's gut feelings were spot on. It turned out Mackay's longtime buddy and budding romantic interest, Etienne, was secretly working with arms dealer Hensie Dekker. In a dramatic twist, JD took decisive action by shooting Etienne just before he could trigger a devastating bomb. Even as Mackay wrestles with her errors in trusting him, Olivia hints that the season will showcase her strengthening ties with the whole team – and especially with JD, evolving in surprisingly profound directions that fans won't see coming.
From the very first episodes, eagle-eyed viewers have picked up on that undeniable spark between Mackay and JD (played by the charismatic Todd Lasance), building like a classic slow-burn romance amid their professional partnership. The push-and-pull of their friendship keeps the excitement alive, with tension simmering just below the surface. As an actress deeply invested in her role, Olivia confesses she's 'totally aboard the Mackay-JD express,' yet she wonders aloud if a full-blown love story fits for them – or if it's even feasible given their circumstances.
But here's where it gets controversial: these two are both key leaders in a tight-knit unit, and Mackay, in particular, holds the chain of command sacred, always prioritizing how relationships might disrupt the group's harmony. On top of that, JD's dipping his toes into the dating pool, trying to move forward personally, which could throw a wrench into any potential sparks. 'Still,' Olivia muses, 'they're constantly thrown into these do-or-die situations, so it's hard to believe they haven't at least pondered, 'What if we gave this a shot?' I bet it's flickered through Mackay's head, but she's shoving it aside because, to her, it's a non-starter. The smart play, in her view, is to bury those feelings and laser-focus on the mission at hand.' And this is the part most people miss: in real-world teams like NCIS, does ignoring attraction strengthen bonds or just bottle up bigger explosions?
Showrunner Morgan O'Neill had already hyped up season three as an amplified adventure, and Olivia echoes that enthusiasm: 'We've cranked every element up to eleven – from pulse-racing action sequences and gripping drama to lighthearted moments and deeper emotional links among the cast. The investigations themselves are grander and more daring, taking the stakes to new heights; it's going to keep you on the edge of your seat.'
Diving deeper into the narrative heart, Olivia reveals the season's central motif: 'Your past has a way of catching up and biting you.' This haunting idea weaves through everyone's arcs, including the brilliant forensic specialist Bluebird 'Blue' Gleeson. Remember that chilling season two cliffhanger? Blue walks into her place only to face off against an unknown woman lurking inside – a moment that left us all reeling.
When the new episodes unfold, it turns out Blue has stepped away from NCIS altogether, a move that shakes up the team's rhythm in profound ways. Olivia gets animated about it: 'This is such a thrilling development because we finally peel back the layers on Blue's history, offering a full picture of someone we thought we understood. The team – and viewers like you – will uncover these revelations right alongside them, and it's pure storytelling gold.'
She can't praise her co-star enough: 'Mavournee Hazel's performance is absolutely stellar, and I can't wait for everyone to witness her lighting up the screen in this fresh, unexplored facet of Bluebird.' For beginners, think of it like discovering a hidden chapter in a favorite book – it enriches the character without overshadowing the core mystery-solving vibe.
Now, will these eye-opening glimpses into Blue's pre-NCIS world alter how Mackay perceives her? Olivia nods thoughtfully: 'It does shift Mackay's perspective a bit, but I don't see it changing their day-to-day interactions much. Mackay's all about the mission: 'We're here to get the job done, so let's do it.' JD shares that mindset – personal opinions or emotions take a backseat to protecting the team and fulfilling their duties. Everything else? It's just background noise.'
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As a subtle counterpoint to the show's emphasis on professionalism, one could argue that these buried personal histories and attractions might actually fuel better teamwork by building empathy – or could they breed distrust? What do you think? Should characters like Mackay and JD risk romance for the sake of authenticity, or is the 'work first' rule unbreakable? And how will Blue's secrets reshape the team dynamic – for better or worse? Drop your thoughts in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you're shipping Mackay and JD or rooting for Blue's solo spotlight!
Catch NCIS: Sydney starting October 14 at 10/9c on CBS.
© Paramount+
© Paramount+
