Let’s be honest—we’ve all seen the warning signs. NCIS, once the crown jewel of CBS primetime, is showing serious signs of wear. With declining ratings, cast shakeups, and a prequel (NCIS: Origins) that isn’t quite landing the way fans hoped, CBS’ current strategy for Season 23 feels less like a revival and more like damage control.
And it might not be enough.
The Glory Days Are Long Gone
A Franchise Built on Chemistry and Grit
When NCIS first hit screens in 2003, it was electric. The chemistry between Gibbs, DiNozzo, Abby, and Ducky made the procedural format feel personal and addictive.
What Made NCIS Work?
It wasn’t just the cases. It was the characters. The humor. The relationships. It felt like a family—and viewers were invited in every Tuesday night.
What Went Wrong?
The Mass Exodus of Fan-Favorite Characters
One by one, the familiar faces left. Ziva. DiNozzo. Abby. Ducky. And, most recently, Gibbs. While new characters were introduced, many didn’t resonate the same way. The heart of the show started to fade.
Emotional Disconnect
When fans stop caring about the characters, even the best cases feel empty. That’s where NCIS is now—running on procedural fumes without emotional fuel.
CBS’ Season 23 Plan – Too Safe to Succeed
A Familiar Playbook
Reports suggest that CBS is sticking with its tried-and-true format: case-of-the-week episodes, minimal shakeups, and no bold character revivals. In other words—safe.
No Gibbs, No Legacy Anchors
Without Mark Harmon’s iconic presence, fans are wondering: what’s left that still feels like NCIS? And so far, Season 23’s strategy isn’t answering that.
The Danger of Playing It Safe
Viewers Want Evolution, Not Repetition
Modern audiences crave growth. They want characters to evolve, storylines to surprise, and risks to be taken. NCIS has become too formulaic.
Competing Against Fresh Content
With shows like FBI, The Rookie, and countless streaming dramas raising the bar, NCIS’s classic procedural formula just isn’t enough anymore.
Recycling Old Tropes Is Killing Momentum
Same Stories, Different Names
How many episodes have featured a military cover-up, a missing Navy SEAL, or a mole inside the agency? It’s getting predictable—and not in a comforting way.
Lack of Serialized Storytelling
One-off episodes can be fun, but today’s audiences are hooked on layered arcs. Think Breaking Bad, Yellowstone, or The Last of Us. NCIS needs to evolve or risk becoming irrelevant.
Casting Choices Are Hit and Miss
Talented, But Not Magnetic
Sean Murray (McGee) and Katrina Law (Knight) are strong performers, but the team dynamic lacks the sparkle of the early seasons.
No One’s Stepping Up as the “New Gibbs”
There’s no clear anchor. No mentor figure. No emotionally grounded leader. That leaves the team feeling disjointed—like a collection of agents, not a cohesive unit.
Ratings Don’t LieThe Drop Is Real
Even with loyal viewership, the numbers have been steadily declining. While still solid by network standards, they’re nowhere near the juggernaut levels of earlier seasons.
Social Media Tells the Rest
Engagement is lower. Fan theories are quieter. Even major plot points don’t trend like they used to. That’s a sign of fading cultural relevance.
What Could CBS Do to Save It?
Bring Back Legacy Characters—For Real
Even a brief return from Tony, Ziva, or even a surprise Gibbs appearance could reinvigorate the fan base. Legacy matters in long-running series.
Build a Compelling Long-Term Storyline
NCIS needs an arc that lasts the whole season—think a mole within NCIS, a season-long undercover op, or a political conspiracy. Stakes must feel real and personal.
Reinvent or Fade Away CBS Needs to Make a Bold Choice
Either lean into what made the show legendary or reimagine it for a new era. The current middle ground isn’t working.
The Brand Still Has Power
With NCIS: Sydney and Origins in play, the franchise can still thrive. But the flagship needs a reboot in vision—not just in name.
📝 Conclusion: The Legacy Deserves Better
NCIS has been a TV institution for over two decades. But if Season 23 is just more of the same, it risks fading into irrelevance instead of going out on a high note. CBS has a choice: evolve or let the sun set on one of television’s longest-running dramas.
Because NCIS didn’t last 22 seasons by being forgettable. But if things don’t change, that’s exactly how it might end.
❓ 5 Unique FAQs
Q1: Is Season 23 the final season of NCIS?
There’s no official word yet, but the declining ratings and cast turnover suggest CBS may be preparing for a wrap-up.
Q2: Will Mark Harmon return in Season 23?
Highly unlikely at this point, though fans continue to hope for at least a cameo or send-off episode.
Q3: What changes has CBS confirmed for Season 23?
So far, it’s business as usual—no major cast additions or bold new arcs have been announced.
Q4: Why is NCIS losing popularity?
The show has struggled with character turnover, repetitive storylines, and a lack of emotional depth compared to earlier seasons.
Q5: What would fans like to see in NCIS Season 23?
More serialized storytelling, deeper character arcs, legacy cameos, and emotional stakes that reflect the show’s once-strong roots.
