More than a decade after NCIS dropped a storyline before paying it off, CBS has quietly—and cleverly—closed the loop in the NCIS Season 23 / NCIS: Origins Season 2 crossover event.
The franchise has been working hard to recapture its former glory in the 2025–2026 TV season. Though still a ratings juggernaut, NCIS slipped a few rungs in network priority in recent years. But since the latest season premiered, the series has found new momentum, culminating in a crossover that brings together eras, icons, and long-unresolved character arcs.
Among the returning faces, Mark Harmon’s Old Gibbs and Muse Watson’s Old Mike Franks made nostalgic cameos—but the biggest impact came from the return of Roma Maffia as Vera Strickland, finally giving the character the storyline she was denied 12 years ago.
Vera Strickland Finally Gets a Full Case With the MCRT
Vera originally appeared in Season 11’s “Under the Radar” as Ziva’s temporary replacement while she finished her last required weeks before retirement. As Franks’ final partner, she carried a rich history with Gibbs—yet her appearance was cut short when she sprained her ankle mid-case and had to bow out early.
The new crossover revisits her history with McGee and even name-checks the infamous “lost credentials” fiasco from her debut. But this time, Vera stays with the team through the entire investigation, right up until Parker’s squad brings justice to the decades-old Serenity case that originated with her and Franks back at NIS.
For longtime fans, the payoff is overdue—and deeply satisfying.
Could Vera Return Again?
Vera’s story is far from over. In NCIS: Origins, Diany Rodriguez portrays the younger version of the character, still a major presence in the prequel timeline. With her past being fleshed out, attention naturally shifts to what’s next for Maffia’s present-day Vera.
The crossover certainly leaves the door open.
She shares an unexpectedly fun spark with Parker, hinting that the show could bring her back either professionally or personally. Vera also admits she misses the field—retirement bores her—but insists she isn’t rejoining full-time. That makes her the perfect recurring bridge between the present series and Origins, especially with Gibbs still tucked away in Alaska and no signs of returning to D.C.
If CBS wants to deepen the connective tissue between the two shows, Vera is now one of their strongest assets.
