Few television shows enter their 23rd season with the promise of more heat, more personal drama, and more “earth-shattering” moments than ever before. But that’s exactly what Wilmer Valderrama, who plays Special Agent Nick Torres on the flagship procedural NCIS, is vowing for the show’s landmark return.
Valderrama has been consistently hyping Season 23, suggesting the writing team has made a deliberate choice to shift the focus, creating a “character-forward show in a way we haven’t seen before.” Following the tragic and highly personal cliffhanger of Season 22, the actor has teased that the upcoming season is designed to “set the fans on fire”—a clear indication that the drama will be hitting closer to home than ever before.
Beyond the high-stakes action involving Alden Parker’s quest for vengeance, one piece of speculation has dominated the fandom: the potential for a romantic pairing between Nick Torres and his partner, Special Agent Jessica Knight (Katrina Law). Valderrama, ever the charismatic tease, has offered his thoughts on the rumors, providing a fascinating glimpse into the internal dynamics of the MCRT as they navigate trauma and, potentially, new relationships.
The Season 23 Promise: Explosive and Personal
The closing moments of Season 22 saw a major character death—the murder of Alden Parker’s father at the hands of mob boss Carla Marino. This tragic event has laid the groundwork for an emotional, high-octane start to Season 23, with Valderrama confirming that the team will be pushed to their limits.
A Turn to the Personal
Valderrama emphasized that the show’s goal in the upcoming season was to “disrupt the peace” and deliver “turmoil” that is “more personal, more soul-shattering” than the usual case-of-the-week conflicts. This narrative strategy serves a few critical purposes:
- Elevating the Stakes: By making the conflict personal—centered on Parker’s grief and revenge—the entire MCRT family is emotionally invested. As the premiere synopsis suggests, Parker will go to extreme lengths, pushing the team to decide whether to follow orders or “go rogue” to support their leader.
- Character Arcs: This personal focus allows the writers to delve deeper into the backgrounds and current struggles of every team member. Showrunner Steven Binder has teased that Season 23 will deliver “explosive moments” for everyone, including a complicated personal storyline for McGee, a new arc for Kasie, and the evolution of Knight’s career.
- Torres’s Role: Having recently grappled with his own past trauma and personal demons, Torres is uniquely positioned to understand Parker’s emotional turmoil. Valderrama’s character may serve as a crucial emotional anchor for Parker, or, conversely, be the one who encourages him to break the rules—a theme that has always defined Torres.
The stage is set for a season where the biggest threats come not from foreign spies or terrorist plots, but from the emotional consequences of the job itself.
Addressing the Romantic Rumors: Torres and Knight?
While the main plot is steeped in revenge and action, the lifeblood of any long-running drama is its relationships. The NCIS fandom is currently buzzing over two potential romantic shifts: the unresolved separation of Jimmy Palmer and Jessica Knight, and the flirtatious, often intense bond between Torres and Knight.
The Knight/Torres Dynamic
Torres and Knight share a strong, flirty, and competitive chemistry that has led many fans to “ship” them, seeing the potential for a fiery, passionate pairing akin to the classic Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David dynamic.
When pressed on his character’s romantic future, Valderrama has been cagey but illuminating. He acknowledged the possibility of “some new flames” for Torres and the idea that his character “might be ready for love this season.” However, he also emphasized the deep professional bond between Nick and Jessica, noting that Torres will be “very instrumental in the rebirth of Special Agent Knight.”
While showrunners have teased that Jimmy Palmer and Knight’s relationship will be “complicated” but potentially destined for a satisfying reunion, Valderrama’s comments about Torres’s influence on Knight suggest a different kind of intensity. Torres’s role is framed not just as a love interest, but as a catalyst for Knight’s professional growth and a deeper understanding of herself.
- The Knight/Palmer Complication: The end of the previous season saw Knight and Palmer break up due to their conflicting professional aspirations. Their relationship is the established focus, and most internal show teases lean toward resolving their tension.
- The Torres/Knight Tension: The energy between Nick and Jess provides the classic ‘will-they/won’t-they’ fuel the show needs, especially as the Pal-Knight relationship matures. Valderrama’s focus on their professional interdependence suggests the writers are prioritizing their partner dynamic for now, but keeping the romantic door open for a true slow-burn.
The most likely scenario is that Torres will re-enter the dating world—perhaps even with some brief, high-drama pairings—which will likely force both him and Knight to confront their own feelings, regardless of whether they end up together. Showrunner Steven Binder confirmed that Torres will get back into dating in a way that “is going to cause a lot of problems for everybody.” This deliberate move toward romantic chaos is a sign that the show is injecting fresh relationship drama into the core team.
What Else Valderrama’s Teases Suggest
The collective promises from Valderrama and the creative team signal a strategic, character-focused Season 23, which is necessary for a series with such longevity.
- Focus on Individual Arcs: By prioritizing character-driven stories, NCIS is ensuring that every main cast member gets a high-stakes, deeply personal narrative, preventing the show from becoming stale.
- The New NCIS Family: With original cast members having moved on, the current MCRT—Parker, McGee, Torres, Knight, Palmer, and Kasie—has solidified as the new “family.” The challenges faced in Season 23 will test this family unit, forcing them to rely on one another under extreme personal stress, thereby strengthening their bond for the long haul.
- High-Octane Start: The premiere, “Prodigal Son” (Part 1), which focuses on Parker’s rogue pursuit of revenge, will be a high-energy launchpad, proving that the MCRT is willing to break the rules for family.
In short, Wilmer Valderrama’s excitement is more than just standard actor hype. It’s an assurance that NCIS is intentionally raising the emotional stakes, making Season 23 a must-watch for dedicated fans. Whether the Torres/Knight pairing ever officially sets sail remains a question mark, but the journey to find out will be full of the kind of personal fire and turmoil that promises to deliver one of NCIS‘s most memorable seasons yet.
