
As NCIS cruises toward its remarkable twenty-third season, the foundation of the long-running procedural remains strong: a core cast of beloved characters who bring stability, humor, and depth to every investigation. After weathering several major departures in recent years, including the iconic Leroy Jethro Gibbs and a few other long-standing agents, the team operating out of the Navy Yard is now a cohesive, well-oiled machine.
The excellent news for fans is that the majority of the current team, seven core cast members, are confirmed to return for the 2025-2026 television season. However, to keep the dynamics fresh and address a lingering need for a new field agent, Season 23 will introduce one new series regular, who is poised to shake up the existing dynamic and fill a vital role on the MCRT (Major Case Response Team).
Here is the definitive breakdown of the seven stars returning to NCIS Season 23 and the one fresh face joining the ranks.
The Seven Pillars: Confirmed Returning Cast Members
The heart of NCIS beats with the familiar rhythms of its veterans and its newest leaders. These seven actors are confirmed to reprise their roles, ensuring continuity and character development remains the show’s priority:
1. Gary Cole as Supervisory Special Agent Alden Parker
Since stepping into the void left by Gibbs, Alden Parker has successfully forged his own identity as the team leader. Cole brings a grounded, slightly quirky, and emotionally intelligent presence that differs significantly from his predecessor. Season 23 will see him continue to balance the demands of leadership with the evolution of his personal life, potentially deepening his dynamic with the new Special Agent in Charge, a role he earned after years of stellar service.
2. Sean Murray as Special Agent Timothy McGee
Timothy McGee is now the unquestioned anchor of the team—the last remaining MCRT member from the original line-up (post-Season 1). His evolution from nervous junior agent to highly respected, senior field agent and family man provides the necessary emotional history and stability the show relies on. Season 23 will likely focus on McGee stepping further into a mentor role, a natural progression for his character, especially with a new rookie joining the ranks.
3. Wilmer Valderrama as Special Agent Nick Torres
Torres remains the show’s intense, emotionally volatile, and physically dominant agent. Season 22 saw his emotional journey take complex turns, especially regarding the absence of his sister and his deep-seated feelings of responsibility. Fans can expect Torres’ arc to focus on professional stability and personal healing in Season 23, leaning heavily on his strong bond with Jessica Knight and his enduring, brotherly connection with McGee.
4. Katrina Law as Special Agent Jessica Knight
Jessica Knight has proven herself to be a versatile and formidable member of the team. Her relationship with Torres (affectionately dubbed “Tormes”) remains a central romantic plotline. After successfully navigating a significant emotional hurdle in the last season’s finale, their bond will be tested by the daily stressors of field work and the challenges that arise from their tight-knit professional proximity. Knight’s sharp intelligence and skills as a negotiator will continue to be vital to the team’s success.
5. Brian Dietzen as Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jimmy Palmer
The heart and soul of the NCIS lab, Dr. Palmer provides much-needed comic relief and emotional depth. His journey through loss and recovery has made him one of the most beloved characters. His platonic relationships with the team, particularly his evolving friendship with Kasie Hines, provide critical lighter moments. Season 23 will see Jimmy continuing to manage the morgue and the emotional weight that comes with his essential, but difficult, job.
6. Diona Reasonover as Forensic Specialist Kasie Hines
Kasie Hines fills the role of the technical genius with a grounded, relatable personality. Her role in the show is increasingly vital as cybercrime and advanced forensics become standard in investigations. Season 23 is likely to explore a more personal storyline for Kasie, perhaps involving a threat that tests her considerable technical skills outside the safety of the lab, potentially strengthening her professional connection with the new forensic recruit.
7. Rocky Carroll as NCIS Director Leon Vance
As the guiding hand for the entire organization, Director Vance remains the crucial link between the MCRT and the broader world of Washington D.C. bureaucracy and national security. His appearances are always significant, often providing context, high-level intelligence, and the occasional emotional gut-check for the team. Vance will continue to serve as the ultimate authority figure, green-lighting the dangerous missions that define the season.
The New Blood: 1 Star Joining the Cast
The most significant casting news for Season 23 involves the introduction of a brand-new series regular. This addition is not just about replacing a lost character; it’s about injecting a fresh, contrasting dynamic into the established team structure.
8. [TBA Name] as Junior Field Agent Miles ‘Mac’ McIntyre
While the specific actor and character name are still under wraps (pending official network announcements), the role is confirmed to be a Junior Field Agent who will be assigned to the MCRT—essentially filling the role of the ‘rookie’ that McGee once held, and that the team has lacked since a series of promotions.
Character Profile & Narrative Role:
- The Contrast: This new agent, let’s call him Miles “Mac” McIntyre for now, is expected to bring a starkly different background than the existing team. He could be a former military K-9 handler, a law enforcement agent from a rural or border patrol background, or an agent from a completely non-traditional law enforcement field, such as finance or cyber security.
- The Dynamic Shift: Mac’s presence immediately shifts the established hierarchy. McGee and Torres will be forced into positions of senior leadership and mentorship, creating new character-driven stories centered on training, accountability, and adapting to the MCRT’s unique, unconventional style.
- The Emotional Stakes: Introducing a new, inexperienced agent immediately raises the emotional stakes in the field. When a veteran is in danger, the concern is high; when a fresh-faced rookie is placed in peril, the dramatic tension is often amplified.
The decision to bring in a new junior agent is a calculated move by the producers to return to the mentor-protégé dynamic that was so central to the show’s earliest, most beloved seasons. This new relationship will revitalize the procedural element and give the veterans new purpose beyond solving the case of the week.
The Road Ahead for NCIS Season 23
With seven familiar faces returning and one significant new character joining the mix, NCIS Season 23 is perfectly poised to blend nostalgia with necessary evolution.
The stability of Parker, McGee, and Vance ensures the show remains recognizable, while the romantic tension of Tormes and the technical wizardry of Kasie keep the modern, multifaceted storytelling alive. The introduction of a new field agent, the much-needed “rookie,” is the ideal catalyst to force the veteran characters to adapt, grow, and reflect on their own long careers.
Fans can look forward to a season that respects its nearly quarter-century history while bravely forging new relationships and thrilling investigations. The new MCRT is locked in, and the pursuit of justice is ready to continue.