After over two decades on television, NCIS is still one of the most-watched and most-loved dramas on TV. But if you’ve been wondering when exactly NCIS Season 23 is coming back, you’re not alone. Fans are buzzing, rumors are flying, and CBS has finally dropped the official news.
In this detailed breakdown, we’re diving into everything you need to know about the NCIS Season 23 premiere, what’s changing about its schedule, and why this might be the biggest season yet.
Let’s get into it.
NCIS Season 23 — Confirmed and Coming Soon
Official Renewal by CBS
Yes, it’s official: NCIS Season 23 was greenlit by CBS earlier this year. The announcement came as no surprise, considering how NCIS consistently ranks among the top-rated shows on network TV.
But here’s what’s different this time around: Season 23 isn’t just business as usual. There are scheduling changes, storyline shakeups, and an entirely new NCIS night to look forward to.
Expected Release Date
CBS has confirmed that NCIS Season 23 will premiere in Fall 2025, most likely in mid-to-late September. If the network sticks to tradition, you can expect it to air during the third or fourth week of September — right around the time football is heating up and the fall TV season kicks off.
TL;DR: Mark your calendar for September 2025.
The Big Schedule Change You Need to Know
From Mondays to Tuesdays — A New NCIS Era
One of the biggest changes coming with Season 23? NCIS is officially moving back to Tuesdays at 8 PM ET.
CBS is shaking things up and turning Tuesday into “NCIS Night”, launching a full evening lineup featuring:
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8 PM – NCIS (Season 23)
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9 PM – NCIS: Origins
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10 PM – NCIS: Sydney
This trio forms the new Super Tuesday NCIS Franchise Block, designed to dominate primetime from start to finish.
Why the Change?
This move is partly about strategy. CBS is capitalizing on the NCIS brand’s popularity to boost ratings on Tuesdays, while also giving NCIS: Origins and Sydney a built-in audience lead-in.
What to Expect in NCIS Season 23
A More Personal Storyline for Parker
Showrunner Steven D. Binder hinted that Special Agent Parker (played by Gary Cole) will face a deeply personal arc in Season 23. Following his father’s death at the end of Season 22, Parker might go off the rails — and possibly rogue — in pursuit of justice.
Expect emotional weight, moral questions, and a chance to see Parker in a more vulnerable and unpredictable light.
More Character-Driven Episodes
Binder has promised more character-centric stories that dive into the team’s personal lives and motivations. Think of it as a return to the emotional storytelling that made earlier seasons so iconic.
Team Highlights to Watch
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McGee: A potential leadership evolution or mentoring role
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Knight and Jimmy: Their relationship might hit a turning point
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Nick Torres: Still processing trauma, but stronger than ever
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Kasie: Could take center stage with a tech-heavy plotline
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Who’s Returning to the Cast?
The Core Team Is Back
The following fan-favorites are confirmed to return for Season 23:
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Gary Cole as Alden Parker
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Sean Murray as Timothy McGee
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Wilmer Valderrama as Nick Torres
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Katrina Law as Jessica Knight
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Brian Dietzen as Jimmy Palmer
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Diona Reasonover as Kasie Hines
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Rocky Carroll as Director Leon Vance
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David McCallum (In Memoriam Tribute)
Guest Stars and Possible Surprises
CBS hasn’t announced any returning legends (like Mark Harmon or Michael Weatherly), but it’s NCIS — surprise appearances are always possible. Fans are still hoping for a Ziva cameo or flashback with Gibbs.
NCIS Season 23 Trailer and Sneak Peeks
When Will the Trailer Drop?
If CBS sticks to its usual promotional calendar, the Season 23 trailer should drop in late August or early September 2025. Expect teasers to air during major primetime broadcasts and hit social media first.
What to Expect in the Promo
Anticipate fast cuts of new threats, intense dialogue, and a first glimpse at Parker’s more emotional journey. We may even see clips from NCIS: Origins as part of the franchise branding.
How NCIS Season 22 Sets Up Season 23
Season 22’s Cliffhanger Ending
Season 22 ended with Agent Parker mourning his father’s passing — a moment that may have seemed quiet, but is expected to drive much of Season 23’s narrative.
Other threads left hanging:
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McGee and Knight’s conflicting views on team dynamics
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Torres’ ongoing healing journey
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Jimmy’s balancing act as a single dad and medical examiner
Emotional Storylines Take the Lead
Expect Season 23 to lean deeper into emotional weight. The showrunners want to balance the procedural drama with meaningful personal stakes.
What Fans Are Saying Online
Twitter/X Is Buzzing With Theories
Fans are already speculating about:
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Whether Gibbs could make a surprise return
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If Parker’s arc will turn him into a vigilante
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Who could be leaving the team mid-season
Reddit Threads Are Full of Easter Eggs
Reddit sleuths are dissecting every detail from CBS’ teaser press release, looking for clues about casting, crossover episodes, and storyline direction.
What About Crossovers? Will They Happen?
NCIS Franchise Crossover Potential
With Origins and Sydney airing on the same night, crossovers are highly likely. CBS has teased the possibility of a franchise event night, which could connect storylines across all three series.
Who Could Show Up Where?
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Young Mike Franks (from Origins) might cross paths with a present-day mystery
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An Australian case might ripple into the main NCIS unit
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Flashbacks could tie Gibbs’ past to a present threat
Why Season 23 Might Be the Best One Yet
Fresh Energy Meets Old-School NCIS Vibes
Season 23 seems poised to mix the heart of classic NCIS with a modern, serialized twist. Emotional stakes are higher, plots are tighter, and the schedule shift shows that CBS is betting big.
A Reinvention That Still Feels Familiar
You’ll still get the case-of-the-week format, but now it’s deeper, more emotional, and tightly connected to long-term character arcs.
Conclusion: What You Should Take Away
NCIS is returning in Fall 2025 with Season 23 and a bold new look. With a shift back to Tuesdays at 8 PM ET, the show is anchoring a full night of NCIS action. But beyond time slots and trailers, Season 23 is about legacy, transformation, and the raw emotion that has always made this show stand out.
Get ready — because this fall, Tuesdays belong to NCIS.
FAQs
Q1: When will NCIS Season 23 premiere?
It’s expected to premiere in mid-to-late September 2025, as part of CBS’s Fall TV lineup.
Q2: What day and time will NCIS air?
NCIS moves back to Tuesdays at 8 PM ET, leading a three-hour NCIS franchise block.
Q3: Who’s returning to the cast for Season 23?
The main cast, including Gary Cole, Sean Murray, Wilmer Valderrama, and Katrina Law, will return.
