Get ready, NCIS fans — the long-running procedural is officially back in action. Production is now underway for Season 23, and with it comes a bold new creative direction that’s sure to excite loyal viewers.
The last time we saw the NCIS team was during the gripping Season 22 finale, which aired in May. The episode followed a high-stakes investigation involving a cartel-mob alliance and stolen nuclear materials, leaving Gary Cole’s Alden Parker facing a potentially career-ending decision. Now, with the next chapter set to premiere on October 14 on CBS, cast and crew are already hard at work bringing it to life.
Lights, Camera… NCIS!
Over the weekend, longtime lighting technician Nicholas Aiello confirmed that filming for Season 23 is officially underway. Sharing behind-the-scenes snaps on Instagram from the Santa Clarita, California set, Aiello captioned his post: “Day 1 of NCIS season 23 😊”. The post quickly sparked excitement in the comments, with crew and fans alike chiming in: “Woohoo! Thanks for being part of the BEST Team Ever,” and “Let’s GO!”
After 20+ years on air, the NCIS engine is still revving — and stronger than ever.
A New Narrative Direction
What makes this season different? Showrunner Steven D. Binder recently sat down with TVLine and revealed that Season 23 will spotlight the personal lives of the characters more than ever before.
“We really want to get to everybody in a big way,” Binder said. “I know people always say, ‘I watch the show for the characters’ — that was always our thing — and I really want to make this a character-forward show in a way we haven’t seen before.”
For longtime fans who’ve been invested in these characters since the early 2000s, this shift is a welcome evolution. NCIS has always balanced thrilling procedural cases with heartfelt moments — but Season 23 aims to deepen those emotional threads even further.
Following the Lead of ‘NCIS: Origins’
Binder’s new vision echoes the tone of NCIS: Origins, the successful prequel series that debuted last year. Starring Austin Stowell as a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs — the legendary character made iconic by Mark Harmon — Origins trades some of the franchise’s hallmark case-of-the-week storytelling for a more intimate look at what shaped Gibbs during his formative years.
That approach, rich in character development and emotional backstory, clearly resonated with fans — and it looks like the main show is taking notes.
The NCIS Legacy Continues
Now entering its 23rd season, NCIS remains one of television’s most enduring franchises. Since premiering in 2003, the show has launched successful spin-offs including NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: New Orleans, NCIS: Hawai’i, and now NCIS: Origins and NCIS: Sydney.
And while the series may be evolving, its heart remains the same — blending action, suspense, and complex characters fans can’t get enough of.
Mark your calendars for October 14, because NCIS is back with new stories, deeper character arcs, and the same loyalty to its fanbase that’s kept it going for over two decades.
