What’s New in NCIS Season 23?
NCIS is returning next month, and the show is going in a new direction. For the show’s upcoming 23rd season, there will now be a focus on character storylines more than ever before. Ahead of the CBS show’s Season 23 premiere on Tuesday, October 14 at 8 p.m. ET, the showrunner recently opened up about making it the most “character-forward” season in the show’s history.
The long-running procedural NCIS is gearing up for Season 23, and it’s bringing some big changes. A new cast member, a shocking family loss, and a premiere that promises both closure and fresh drama. If you thought Season 22 ended with peace, think again.
Premiere Date & Time Slot Change
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When it premieres: Tuesday, October 14, 2025 on CBS.
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Time slot shift: Now airing at 8/7c on Tuesdays—a change from its previous Monday slot.
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NCIS Night: The show will now kick off a triple-header of NCIS content, followed by NCIS: Origins and NCIS: Sydney.
Returning Cast — The Core Team
Here are the major players who are confirmed or heavily expected to return:
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Sean Murray as Senior Agent Timothy “McGee” McGee
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Wilmer Valderrama as Special Agent Nick Torres
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Brian Dietzen as Dr. Jimmy Palmer
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Diona Reasonover as Forensic Scientist Kasie Hines
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Katrina Law as Special Agent Jessica Knight
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Rocky Carroll as NCIS Director Leon Vance
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Gary Cole as Special Agent Alden Parker
New Addition to the Cast: Nancy Travis
Who Is She Playing?
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Nancy Travis is joining NCIS Season 23 in a guest star role.
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She will portray Harriet Parker, Alden Parker’s sister, who holds the rank of Navy Vice Admiral in the series.
Why This Matters
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Parker’s character arc after losing his father will get deeper emotional stakes with a sibling involved.
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Harriet’s presence may bring new dynamics both personally for Parker and professionally, especially given her military status.
Season 22’s Cliffhanger — Setting Up Season 23
The Death That Changed Everything
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At the end of Season 22, Alden Parker’s father, Roman Parker, was found shot dead.
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The suspected culprit is Carla Marino (played by Rebecca De Mornay), who blames Parker for her son’s death.
Parker’s Path Forward
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Expect flashbacks and key moments from Parker’s troubled youth—run-ins with the law, juvenile homes, etc.
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The show will likely explore how Parker deals with grief, revenge, justice, and how far he’s willing to go.
First Episode Revealed – “Prodigal Son (Part 1)”
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Title: “Prodigal Son (Part 1)” is set to be the Season 23 premiere episode.
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Release Date: That’s October 14, 2025.
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It promises to pick up immediately after the Season 22 finale and dig deeper into the fallout.
New Themes Expected in Season 23
Revenge vs. Morality
Parker’s motive will likely stray into morally grey territory. How far can a man go before he loses himself? That’s going to be central.
Family & Loyalty
With Harriet entering, the idea of what defines family (blood vs. agency) becomes stronger. Personal history, secrets, alliances—all up for exploration.
Past Haunts the Present
Flashbacks, revisiting Parker’s youth, his mistakes, and how they shaped the man he is now. This show often plays with character backstory to enrich current arcs.
What’s Not Changing
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The core team is intact. No confirmed major exits among the main cast (as of writing).
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The procedural elements—the criminal investigations, NCIS worldview, forensic science, etc.—are still front and center.
Where To Watch & Streaming Info
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New episodes of NCIS Season 23 will air CBS first on its scheduled night.
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Paramount+ may carry episodes for streaming afterward, as with prior seasons.
Early Buzz & Fan Reactions
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Fans are excited but also anxious: can NCIS keep its heart while getting darker?
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Nancy Travis’s casting has stirred up curiosity—Admiral Harriet Parker is already being speculated to bring not just new narrative tension but also strong moral counterpoints to Parker.
Conclusion
Season 23 of NCIS looks like it will hit harder, weigh heavier, and dig deeper emotionally than ever before. With Nancy Travis stepping in as Alden Parker’s sister, the story isn’t just about work anymore—it’s about family, grief, and what you sacrifice to find justice. The premiere, “Prodigal Son (Part 1)”, set for October 14, 2025, is shaping up to launch the season with high stakes. If you’re a NCIS fan, get ready—this one might be one of the most personal yet.
5 Unique FAQs
Q1: Who exactly is Nancy Travis playing in Season 23 of NCIS?
She plays Harriet Parker, who is Alden Parker’s sister and a Navy Vice Admiral. Her arrival amplifies the emotional fallout from Parker’s familial loss.
Q2: Will all main cast members from Season 22 return for Season 23?
Yes—so far, Sean Murray, Wilmer Valderrama, Katrina Law, Brian Dietzen, Diona Reasonover, Rocky Carroll, and Gary Cole are all expected back.
Q3: What is the title of the first episode of NCIS Season 23?
The premiere episode is called “Prodigal Son (Part 1)”.
Q4: What day and time does NCIS Season 23 air?
Tuesdays at 8/7c, beginning October 14, 2025, on CBS.
Q5: How will the death of Parker’s father impact the season?
That event sets off a chain reaction. Parker is expected to wrestle with grief, vengeance, and possibly moral compromises. The new presence of his sister Harriet suggests his personal life will be deeply explored, not just his role as an agent.
