‘NCIS’ Cast Confirms Season 23 Return: ‘We Are So Back,’ Says Brian Dietzen
The longest-running non-animated scripted series on CBS is officially returning for an unprecedented 23rd season, and the cast is just as excited as the fans. The anticipation has reached a fever pitch following confirmation from the stars themselves that production is underway and the full team is back in action. Leading the charge in the fan enthusiasm is actor Brian Dietzen, who plays Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jimmy Palmer, with an electrifying social media declaration: “We are so back.”
Dietzen’s simple yet powerful statement, shared alongside a behind-the-scenes glimpse of him preparing to embody his beloved character once more, solidifies a crucial message for the millions of viewers who have followed the Naval Criminal Investigative Service team for over two decades: the heart of the show remains, and a dramatic new chapter is about to unfold.
The Core Team Confirmed: Continuity in the 23rd Season
Despite the ongoing evolution of the series’ lineup since its 2003 debut, NCIS has managed to maintain an impressive level of cast continuity, a factor crucial to its massive appeal. The full main ensemble is confirmed to return for the 23rd season, bringing familiar faces back to the MCRT (Major Case Response Team) bullpen:
- Gary Cole as Special Agent Alden Parker
- Sean Murray as Special Agent Timothy McGee
- Wilmer Valderrama as Special Agent Nick Torres
- Katrina Law as Special Agent Jessica Knight
- Brian Dietzen as Dr. Jimmy Palmer
- Diona Reasonover as Forensic Scientist Kasie Hines
- Rocky Carroll as NCIS Director Leon Vance
The collective cast, including Dietzen, Wilmer Valderrama, and Sean Murray, used social media to share the news of filming commencing, generating significant buzz. Valderrama, who plays the charismatic and often volatile Nick Torres, posted a video welcoming fans back and confirming the new scheduling move, while Murray, the longest-serving cast member, simply celebrated the new season. Their unified return is a promise that the familiar chemistry and family-like dynamics of the team will be at the forefront of the new episodes.
Back to the Classics: New Premiere Date and Time Slot
In a move that delights long-time viewers, NCIS Season 23 is also returning to its roots, reclaiming its traditional and highly successful airtime.
The new season will premiere on Tuesday, October 14, at 8/7c on CBS.
This is more than just a schedule change; it represents a strategic and symbolic return to the show’s original home, where it anchored the network’s primetime lineup for years. Furthermore, this move will establish a full “NCIS Tuesday” block, as the flagship show will be followed by the prequel series NCIS: Origins and the returning international spin-off NCIS: Sydney. This strategic consolidation of the franchise signals CBS’s continued commitment to the Naval procedural universe and provides fans with an entire night of dedicated crime-solving action.
A Character-Forward Season: Major Storyline Teases
Beyond the cast’s enthusiasm, showrunner Steven D. Binder has promised a major shift in the series’ storytelling focus for Season 23. In an effort to address a common critique of the procedural genre—that cases often overshadow the characters—Binder stated the new season will be “character-forward in a way we haven’t seen before.”
This renewed commitment to character depth is critical, particularly given the dramatic cliffhanger that concluded Season 22:
1. Parker’s Quest for Revenge
The Season 22 finale saw the shocking murder of Alden Parker’s father at the hands of mob boss Carla Marino. Season 23 will open with an immediate, high-stakes two-part premiere centered on Parker’s grief and burning desire for revenge. The trailer teases a Parker going “off-the-books,” willing to jeopardize his career and the team’s stability to hunt down the woman responsible.
The storyline is further complicated by the introduction of a new, pivotal character: Navy Vice Admiral Harriet Parker, Alden’s sister, played by Nancy Travis. Her presence promises to peel back layers of Parker’s troubled past, revealing the complicated childhood dynamic between the “good” sister and the “bad” kid, all set against the backdrop of a global crisis and personal vendetta. This is a clear indicator that the writers are digging deep into the lead agent’s backstory for rich, sustained narrative conflict.
2. The Unresolved Knight-Palmer Dynamic
The fan-favorite relationship between Special Agent Jessica Knight and Dr. Jimmy Palmer was left in a state of flux after the emotional turmoil of Season 22. Knight and Palmer’s separation to allow each to focus on their respective career paths left many viewers heartbroken. Showrunner Binder has confirmed that this “Jimmessica” storyline is far from over.
With the promise of a character-forward season, fans can expect a deeper exploration of their individual journeys and the enduring question of whether their professional and personal lives can truly coexist. Dietzen himself has teased more “awkward moments,” suggesting the romantic tension and emotional complexity will be a continuous thread throughout the season.
3. McGee’s Stalled Career Arc
As the last remaining original cast member, Timothy McGee’s career path has been a continuous point of discussion. Despite his seniority and expertise, McGee has faced professional setbacks, having turned down a major promotion in the past. Season 23 is poised to address this professional stasis.
The focus on character development suggests that this could finally be the season where McGee finds a clear path forward, whether through a promotion, a major personal change, or a storyline that redefines his role as the anchor of the MCRT team.
The Enduring Legacy of the NCIS Franchise
The return of NCIS for Season 23 is a testament to the show’s enduring quality and the loyalty of its fan base. In an age of streaming fragmentation, the procedural drama has maintained its relevance by balancing its core “case-of-the-week” structure with emotional, long-form character arcs.
Brian Dietzen’s exuberant “We are so back” is more than just an announcement; it’s a promise to the NCIS family that their beloved team will return intact, ready to face their most personal, tumultuous, and character-driven season yet. As the flagship series anchors a brand-new night of naval crime-solving, Season 23 is set to be a pivotal moment, re-energizing the franchise and proving why, after all this time, the original MCRT still rules primetime.
