The "Bellisarioverse" is an umbrella term for nine shows on CBS that all link together, starting with JAG and spanning over twenty years of continuity. It is named after Donald P. Bellisario, the creator of JAG, which later became popular enough to foster a cascade of Spin-Off series, which grew into a Shared Universe when CBS introduced several more shows that cross-pollinated with these spin-offs. Although not all of these shows subscribe to Bellisario's Maxim due to being under the jurisdiction of their own unique creators, they do like to remind you from time to time not to examine things too closely.
Not all episodes of these shows have aired on CBS. The first season of JAG aired on NBC before moving to CBS. The Magnum P.I. reboot also began airing on NBC (owner of the intellectual property by way of Universal Television) starting with its fifth season after its cancellation by CBS.
The Bellisarioverse comprises the following (in chronological order):
- JAG (1995-2005)
- NCIS (2003-present; spin-off from JAG)
- NCIS: Los Angeles (2009-2023; 1st spin-off from NCIS, also featured several members of the JAG cast; crossed over with NCIS and Hawaii Five-0)
- Hawaii Five-0 (2010-2020; crossed over with NCIS, NCIS: LA, and MacGyver)
- Scorpion (2014-2018; crossed over with NCIS: LA)
- NCIS: New Orleans (2014-2021; 2nd spin-off from NCIS, crossed over with NCIS)
- MacGyver (2016-2021; crossed over with Hawaii Five-0)
- Magnum P.I. (2018-2024; crossed over with Hawaii Five-0)
- NCIS: Hawaiʻi (2021-present; 3rd spin-off from NCIS)
- NCIS: Sydney (2023-present; 4th spin-off from NCIS)
By themselves, MacGyver, Magnum P.I., and Hawaii Five-0 are known as the "Lenkov-verse", after showrunner Peter M. Lenkov. Although not officially considered part of the Bellisarioverse, a short-lived 2002 courtroom drama titled First Monday featured a government official played by Dean Stockwell who became a recurring character on JAG after First Monday ended.
