For more than two decades, NCIS has been the backbone of American network television. What began as a spinoff of JAG has grown into a global franchise with eight shows under its umbrella, streaming dominance, and a fan base that still tunes in every week to see its beloved team solve crimes tied to the Navy and Marine Corps. Now, heading into its 23rd season, NCIS shows no signs of slowing down.
From shocking cliffhangers to fresh storylines and crossovers, here’s everything we know about the next chapter of TV’s third-longest-running primetime drama.
📺 When Does NCIS Season 23 Premiere?
Mark your calendars: NCIS returns to CBS on Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 8/7c. In a move that feels like destiny, the show is returning to its original Tuesday-night slot, kicking off an all-NCIS lineup.
-
8/7c – NCIS Season 23
-
9/8c – NCIS: Origins Season 2
-
10/9c – NCIS: Sydney Season 3
It’s a franchise-filled night designed to keep fans hooked for three straight hours.
💥 Picking Up From Season 22’s Shocking Cliffhanger
Season 22 left fans stunned when Alden Parker’s (Gary Cole) nemesis, Carla Marino (Rebecca De Mornay), murdered his father inside his own home. Season 23 wastes no time diving into the fallout.
The premiere, titled “Prodigal Son (Part 1),” sees Parker pushed to the brink as he seeks revenge on Carla — a decision that threatens both his career and his team.
CBS teases even more heat in Part 2, as Parker’s personal vendetta collides with long-running mysteries surrounding Lily and the secrets of his late mother.
Showrunner Steven D. Binder promises an adrenaline-fueled start:
“We open with a lot of heat, a lot of action — and we’re hoping to not let up.”
👥 Who’s Back for Season 23?
The core team remains steady, giving fans the mix of old favorites and newer faces they’ve come to love:
-
Gary Cole as Supervisory Special Agent Alden Parker
-
Sean Murray as Senior Special Agent Timothy McGee
-
Wilmer Valderrama as Special Agent Nick Torres
-
Katrina Law as Special Agent Jessica Knight
-
Brian Dietzen as Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jimmy Palmer
-
Diona Reasonover as Chief Forensic Scientist Kasie Hines
-
Rocky Carroll as NCIS Director Leon Vance
Notably, Nancy Travis joins as Parker’s sister, Vice Admiral Harriet Parker, in the season opener.
❤️ Character Arcs to Watch
While Parker takes center stage early, Binder hints at plenty of personal developments for the rest of the team:
-
Jessica & Jimmy’s relationship: Will sparks finally turn into something lasting?
-
Kasie’s new storyline: Expect growth for the forensic scientist beyond the lab.
-
Family ties expanded: Binder teases that the NCIS “family” will grow in “shocking” ways that walk the fine line between bold and “Jump the Shark.”
Could that mean the return of Tony and Ziva to the mothership? It’s speculation for now — but not impossible, especially with NCIS: Tony & Ziva streaming strong on Paramount+.
🔗 How Season 23 Connects to the NCIS Universe
This season, NCIS isn’t just staying in its lane. It’s weaving threads across the franchise.
-
NCIS: Origins Crossover (Nov. 11)
For the first time, NCIS and its prequel will connect through a case investigated by young Gibbs in the ’90s that resurfaces in the present. While no actors will share the screen, the story will tie generations together. -
Tribute to Ducky
Adam Campbell returns as young Donald “Ducky” Mallard in Origins Season 2, paying homage to the late David McCallum’s legacy. -
Tony & Ziva Links
Though Season 1 of Tony & Ziva won’t directly cross over, Michael Weatherly has made it clear the door is open. And given the spinoff’s strong numbers, fans are already buzzing about a potential reunion down the line.
🌍 The Legacy of NCIS
After 22 seasons, NCIS has weathered major cast departures — from Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo, to Pauley Perrette, and of course, Mark Harmon’s Gibbs. Yet it has managed to reinvent itself without losing its identity.
Now, as it enters Season 23, it remains one of TV’s most-watched shows, proof that in a landscape of streaming giants and quick cancellations, a well-built procedural with heart can endure.
Binder sums it up best:
“The family grows, the stories expand, but the heart of NCIS — the team, the cases, the loyalty — stays the same.”
📢 Where to Watch
-
Live: Tuesdays on CBS at 8/7c
-
Streaming: Netflix, Paramount+, PlutoTV
🔮 Final Word
With revenge, family secrets, crossovers, and maybe even a dash of romance, NCIS Season 23 is shaping up to be one of the most explosive seasons yet. After all these years, the franchise isn’t slowing down — it’s only digging deeper.
