Olivia Swann is offering insight into what’s in store for season 2 of NCIS: Sydney following its thrilling—and somewhat complicated—premiere.
Swann, who portrays NCIS special agent in charge Michelle Mackey, exclusively told that this season will be “explosive, intense, funny, and compelling.”
The season 2 premiere, which aired on Friday, February 7, saw Mackey and Australian Federal Police (AFP) lead Jim “JD” Dempsey (Todd Lasance) sidelined due to their actions in the season 1 finale. Their rule-bending efforts to rescue JD’s kidnapped son led to their suspension.
The Mystery Unfolds
Even while benched, Mackey and JD managed to bring Russian assassin Ana Niemus (Georgina Haig) to justice. Niemus had played a role in orchestrating the kidnapping, and their investigation also revealed that Colonel Richard Rankin (Lewis Fitz-Gerald) was involved.
However, after Rankin suffered a heart attack at NCIS headquarters, Mackey and JD realized he was merely a pawn—someone else was pulling the strings. The unknown mastermind even had Rankin’s pacemaker deactivated to ensure his silence.
Swann teased that uncovering the true villain is “the underlying mystery of the season.”
“We get little hints here and there, and it does ramp up as we go,” she revealed. “The payoff is very, very cool.”
Mackey’s Secret Son
One of the biggest surprises in the premiere was the revelation that Mackey has a teenage son in the U.S.—a secret she has kept from everyone.
But will audiences meet him? And will her team find out? Swann shared what fans can expect.
Is Ana Niemus Really Gone?
Throughout season 1, the NCIS and AFP teams in Australia had been hunting down rogue Russian agent Monica Rowe, also known as Ana Niemus. In the season 2 premiere, Niemus threatened JD, warning that she would harm his son unless he revealed who had attempted to take her out.
JD tricked her, leading her to believe that Rankin—the middleman orchestrating her assassination—was in the hospital. It was a setup, and JD and Mackey successfully apprehended her after an intense fight.
But is Niemus truly neutralized?
Swann hinted at uncertainty. “My guess is as good as yours,” she said, suggesting that the spy may not be out of the picture just yet.
Mackey as a Mother
Swann shared her hopes for Mackey’s future as a mother on screen. “I’d love to see her reunite with her son,” she said. “I’ve known since season 1 that she’s a mom, and I love that secret she’s had.”
She explained that having an older son adds complexity to Mackey’s character. “I do hope it’s something we can explore at some point.”
Olivia Swann (Photo: Paramount Plus)
Although she confided in JD when they were both facing possible termination, Swann believes there’s a “slim” chance Mackey will open up to the rest of the team.
Viewers will also see how her role as a parent impacts her as an agent.
“If it’s a good day, she thinks, ‘This is why I do this job—to keep the world safe for my son,’” Swann said. “But if it’s a bad day, she wrestles with guilt, self-loathing, and the pain of being away from her child.”
The Team Comes Together
With Mackey and JD sidelined, NCIS agent DeShawn Jackson (Sean Sagar) took charge at headquarters, overseeing AFP agent Evie Cooper (Tuuli Narkle), tech specialist Bluebird “Blue” Gleeson (Mavournee Hazel), and medical examiner Doc Roy “Rosie” Penrose (William McInnes).
Swann noted that the dynamic among the team continues to evolve.
“We see trust developing, and we see a team truly coming together,” she explained. “We’re all kind of misfits. We’re all a bit weird, we’ve got our quirks, and we have our own ways of doing things—but it’s becoming more seamless.”
A Wild Premiere Moment—And an Even Crazier One Ahead
One of the most bizarre moments in the premiere involved Blue and Doc reheating a corpse so that Blue could scan the man’s barcode tattoo. The discovery led them down a tech trail, helping to piece together Rankin’s apparent blackmail situation.
But, according to Swann, that wasn’t even the wildest thing that will happen this season.
“There’s an episode this season where I was like, ‘I did NOT see that coming,’” she teased. “The Frankenstein moment? That’s tame in comparison.”
She added that while some of the show’s twists seem outlandish, they’re always grounded in reality. “Everything is based on real stories. The writers are pulling from actual events.”
JD’s Trauma Lingers
Although JD’s son, Jack, was safely returned home in the season 1 finale, JD won’t simply move on as if nothing happened.
“The wonderful thing about JD is that he brings so much heart to the team—and Todd [Lasance] does that in such a wonderful way,” Swann said.
She hinted that while JD maintains his lighthearted and fun-loving nature, audiences will occasionally catch glimpses of the emotional weight he’s carrying.
What’s Next for Colonel Rankin?
At the beginning of the episode, a military funeral suggested that Rankin had died. However, by the end, Mackey learned the truth—Rankin is in a coma, secretly being kept in a military facility for protection.
According to Swann, his story is far from over.
“Fans will learn quite a bit about his connection to the unknown villain,” she teased. “I can’t say too much, but it’s all part of a larger, more complex world than any of the team initially imagined.”
More Bluebird Gleeson on the Way
Swann also revealed that season 2 will dive deeper into the backgrounds of Mackey and her team. One storyline she’s particularly excited about? Blue’s.
“I’m a Blue fan through and through till I die,” Swann said. “I’ve already seen what Mavournee can do, and she’s fantastic. I’m really excited for everyone to see more of her and Blue—she absolutely nailed it.”
She added that the show’s character arcs are unfolding in an “exciting” and “organic” way this season.
Where to Watch
NCIS: Sydney airs Fridays at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.