Hold on to your hats, NCIS fans! Season 3 of NCIS: Sydney is set to premiere on CBS on Tuesday, October 14th, and according to Olivia Swann (Mackay herself!), things are about to get intense. The fallout from season two's shocking finale will send ripples through the entire team, especially impacting the already complex relationship between Mackay and JD. But here's where it gets controversial... will their undeniable chemistry finally ignite, or will duty and circumstance keep them forever apart?
Swann teased in an interview with HELLO! Magazine that Mackay will be grappling with the consequences of her actions in Darwin. "Mackay's not someone who will admit when she's wrong," Swann admits, "but we do see her struggling with the fallout... One of the big things is that we see a Mackay who is second-guessing herself, a leader who is now thinking, 'Hang on, I could make a choice that's incredibly wrong, and I could put people and myself in danger.' That's high-pressure stuff." This internal conflict promises a deeper, more vulnerable side to the usually stoic leader.
Remember that heart-stopping season two finale? JD's instincts proved spot-on: her old friend Etienne was indeed in cahoots with the arms dealer Hensie Dekker. JD was forced to make the ultimate sacrifice, shooting and killing Etienne to prevent a deadly explosion. While Mackay grapples with her misjudgment, Swann assures us that the season will explore a strengthening of the bonds within the entire team. And this is the part most people miss... she hints at a significant deepening of the connection between Mackay and JD "in many, many different ways." What could that mean?
Since the very first episodes, viewers have picked up on the palpable chemistry between Mackay and Sergeant Jim "JD" Dempsey (played by Todd Lasance). The writers have masterfully crafted a slow-burn dynamic, allowing their friendship to evolve organically while the underlying tension simmers. Olivia Swann herself admits to being "fully on the Mackay and JD train." But is a romantic relationship the right call, or even feasible, for these two?
Swann raises a valid point: "They are leaders of a team, and Mackay, especially, respects the hierarchy and understands that team dynamics have to come first." She also points out that JD is actively trying to date and put himself out there, which could further complicate things. But the universe seems to keep throwing these two into life-or-death situations, forcing them to confront the "what ifs." "I really do think it's crossed Mackay's mind," Swann reveals, "but she is stamping down that thought because in her mind it's impossible. The easier option is to ignore it and just focus on work." Is Mackay right to suppress her feelings, or is she denying herself a potentially fulfilling relationship?
Showrunner Morgan O'Neill has promised fans a bigger and better season three, and Swann echoes that sentiment: "Every single aspect has been elevated to the max: the level of action, drama, the fun, and the level of connection between the characters. The cases are bigger and bolder, and on another level, it's going to be very exciting."
But the drama doesn't stop with Mackay and JD. Swann reveals that "The theme of the season is the past comes back to haunt you," and this overarching theme will affect every member of the team, including the brilliant forensic analyst, Bluebird Gleeson. Remember that cliffhanger at the end of season two, when Blue entered her home to find a mysterious woman waiting for her?
Season three will immediately address that shocking moment. Viewers will discover that Blue has resigned from NCIS, a development that will have major repercussions for the team. "It's really exciting because we do delve into Blue's backstory and get a complete insight into a character that we think we know – but in real time, along with the audience, the characters are learning so much about her, and it's just so good," Swann teases. "What Mavournee Hazel does is phenomenal, and I'm just so excited for the audience to see her shine and to see this side of Bluebird that we've never seen before."
Will the revelations about Blue's past change the way Mackay sees her? Swann suggests that while it will alter Mackay's perception of Blue, it won't necessarily affect their professional interactions. "Mackay is someone who believes, 'We are here to do the job, let's get it done.' Same as JD – she can have whatever thoughts and feelings she wants, but her objective is to keep people safe, do her job, and anything else is always secondary to what her job is." This highlights Mackay's unwavering commitment to duty, even in the face of personal revelations.
NCIS: Sydney premieres on CBS on October 14, at 10/9c.
So, what do you think? Are you rooting for Mackay and JD to finally get together, or do you believe they're better off as partners and friends? And what secrets do you think Blue is hiding? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
