What’s the Buzz About NCIS, JAG, and the 30-Year Mark?
Hard to believe, but 2025 not only marks 22 years of NCIS on air — it also marks about 30 years since JAG premiered (1995). JAG (Judge Advocate General) is the series that spawned NCIS via a backdoor pilot.
Fans and industry watchers are now wondering: Will NCIS Season 23 do more than reference JAG’s legacy? Could it actively celebrate 30 years since JAG’s debut?
Evidence That NCIS Season 23 Could Pay Tribute
Interviews & Statements That Suggest Something’s Up
-
David James Elliott, who played Lt. Harmon Rabb Jr. on JAG, has said there’s “always a chance” of revival. He remarks that Don Bellisario (creator of JAG and NCIS) is still alive — his upcoming 90th birthday makes the timing even more meaningful. He also suggested conversations with Bellisario about exploring the Harm character in some way. But he’s not certain it would be part of NCIS or a separate reboot.
Crossover Potential & Recent Appearances
-
Catherine Bell and David James Elliott (Mac and Harm) reprised roles in NCIS: Los Angeles. That arc has stirred speculation that classic JAG characters and storylines might weave into the current NCISverse.
-
Showrunners have left the door open. R. Scott Gemmill, for example, has hinted in the past about not ruling things out, especially when fans respond so strongly to nostalgia.
Why 2025? The Anniversary Factor
-
The original JAG premiere date was in 1995; 2025 marks 30 years since then. That’s a milestone ripe for recognition. Between Bellisario’s 90th birthday and the legacy of JAG, there’s both emotional and marketing incentive to tie things together for fans. It creates buzz, celebrates roots, and rewards longtime watchers.
How NCIS Season 23 Is Already Set Up
Story Directions & Character Threads
-
In the Season 22 finale, Alden Parker (Gary Cole) experiences a deeply personal loss (his father), which is expected to fuel a more emotionally intense, character-driven arc in Season 23. He is described as being “destabilized,” and the storyline might explore parts of his past and moral ambiguity.Such arcs often pair well with callbacks to foundational themes (justice, military protocol, duty) which were central in JAG. So there is thematic room for JAG elements to appear in tone or flashback.
Cast, Format, and Premiere Timing
-
NCIS Season 23 returns on October 14, 2025, coinciding with fall scheduling — a common time for shows to make bold statements.
-
The cast appears to be largely intact. Consistency makes tributes easier (same tone, familiar faces).
What Honoring JAG Could Actually Look Like
Possible Ways to Pay Tribute
-
Guest Appearances – Bringing back JAG characters (e.g. Harm Rabb Jr., Mac) for cameos or crossover episodes.
-
Flashback Episodes – Episodes that revisit JAG-era NCIS roots, maybe showing early NCIS operations from JAG’s perspective.
-
Acknowledgment in Dialogue – Characters referencing JAG, its legal-military court stylings, or foundational Navy law concepts.
-
Visual/Easter Egg Callbacks – Using iconic imagery, uniforms, settings tied to JAG (e.g. Judge Advocate General courtrooms, legal precedents, etc.).
-
Specials or Documentary Segments – Behind-the-scenes, interviews with original JAG cast/crew, celebrating the shows’ shared history.
Constraints & What Might Make It Hard
-
Cast Availability – Not everyone from JAG may be willing or able to return.
-
Story Coherence – Weaving JAG too heavily into NCIS risks alienating newer viewers who didn’t watch JAG.
-
Budget & Scheduling – Big guest stars cost; more complex episodes cost more.
-
Creative Direction – Producers might prefer fresh storylines over nostalgia-heavy arcs.
What Has Been Denied or Not Confirmed
-
As of yet, there is no official confirmation that NCIS Season 23 will formally incorporate JAG anniversary content.
-
Statements like “always a chance” (Elliott) suggest openness, but not commitment.
-
No specific storyline details announced that explicitly reference JAG’s premiere anniversary other than speculation and fan hope.
Fan Reactions & What This Means for the Franchise
-
Nostalgia is powerful. Many NCIS fans started with JAG, so honoring that legacy has emotional weight.
-
Risk vs reward. Well done, these tributes deepen viewer loyalty; missteps or over-reliance on nostalgia could feel cheap.
-
Franchise momentum. With spin-offs like NCIS: Origins and NCIS: Tony & Ziva in the mix, honoring origins can help tie everything together.
Conclusion
Could NCIS Season 23 end up honoring JAG’s 30th anniversary? All signs point to possibility. David James Elliott’s comments, the potential for JAG character appearances, and the sentimental value of the milestone year make it a strong candidate. But for now, there’s more hope and hinting than concrete evidence. As we approach the Oct 14, 2025 premiere, expect the showrunners might sprinkle in nods — dialogue, cameos, or thematic callbacks — without making JAG the full focus. And that may be just enough to give longtime fans a meaningful salute while keeping the story fresh for newcomers.
FAQs
Q1: Is JAG coming back as a full series or reboot?
A1: No official reboot has been confirmed. David James Elliott has expressed interest, Bellisario is said to be open, but nothing concrete is green-lit as of yet.
Q2: Will characters like Harm Rabb Jr. and Sarah Mac return in NCIS Season 23?
A2: They’ve already appeared in NCIS: Los Angeles in past crossover arcs. A return is possible, especially in guest roles, but nothing is confirmed specifically for Season 23 of the main NCIS.
Q3: Why is 2025 special for JAG fans?
A3: Because it’s the 30th anniversary of JAG’s premiere in 1995. Also, the creator’s 90th birthday adds to the weight of the milestone. rom JAG might NCIS draw upon if it does honor it?
A4: Military legal drama, ethics, courtroom vs field investigations, foundational Navy law cases, credibility of justice, personal sacrifice, chain of command. All of these were central in JAG and could enrich NCIS storytelling.
Q5: If NCIS doesn’t do much for the anniversary, what might fans expect instead?
A5: Probably subtle callbacks — a line or two referencing JAG, maybe archival footage, legal terminology, or character backstories that tie to JAG’s legacy. Also, could be in bonus content (interviews, specials) rather than in-episode plot.
