NCIS star Gary Cole promises “revenge” to come in the hit series’ twenty-third season. Speaking to TVLine, Cole was asked about how his character, NCIS Supervisory Special Agent Alden Parker, can be expected to react to the murder of his father Roman when the series returns for Season 23. “He’s pissed. He’s really pissed,” Cole responded. “I’m not sure how that’s going to play out, but I know it’s going to have something to do with revenge — whether accurate [by targeting crime boss Carla Marino] or misplaced…. [But] it can’t not have any consequences to him mentally.” Cole went on to discuss the scene in which Parker discovers his father, portrayed by Francis X. McCarthy, shot to death, seemingly by Parker’s arch-nemesis and Kansas City mob boss Carla Marino. Cole described being “intimated” by the scene, explaining that “normally you have a scene where just one thing happens… in the same moment, he comes to a full realization… that he knows who did it, immediately.”
Expect Vengeance in Season 23. Cole made his NCIS debut during the series nineteenth season back in 2021 and quickly became a fan-favorite addition to the cast. Leading up to Parker’s introduction, the character was an agent with the FBI who left his career with the Bureau behind after a tragedy in the field. During a gunfight with a dangerous suspect, Parker fired a round that ended up striking his partner, Michael Patrick Thornton’s Jeremy Brighton, leaving him paralyzed. This drove Parker to leave the FBI and seek out work elsewhere, which eventually led him to the position of leader of the NCIS Major Case Response Team, replacing original series star Mark Harmon’s Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
The shocking turns on NCIS aren’t the only major shakeups that the franchise is facing, with the end of prequel series NCIS: Origins’ first season leaving off on a massive cliffhanger of its own. When NCIS: Origins left off, star Mariel Molino’s Lala was seen unconscious inside a totaled vehicle following a major car crash. Regarding the future of her character, Molino said, “Oh, man… I hope she comes back. I hope that she’s alive. But who knows.” Molino added, “NCIS has taken big swings before with characters and their futures, so it’s tough to say… Turn on those candles and pray, please!”
Fans of NCIS, buckle up—because things are about to go nuclear. One of the show’s lead actors has just teased a revenge-fueled storyline in Season 23, with a chilling quote: “It can’t not have consequences.” That’s not just a hint—it’s a promise. But what exactly is going down in the next chapter of the iconic procedural? Let’s break it all down, from wild fan theories to cast reactions and what this all means for your favorite characters.
Who Said It and Why It Matters
The Shocking Tease From a Lead Actor
The now-viral quote came straight from the mouth of one of NCIS‘s central stars during a behind-the-scenes interview. Although the actor didn’t drop names or specifics, the tone was crystal clear—Season 23 is about payback, justice, and deeply personal stakes.
The Fallout from Season 22
A Quick Recap—Here’s What Went Down
If you thought Season 22 ended with a bang, you’re not alone. The finale left fans reeling after a betrayal that shook the team to its core. Whether it was the death of a beloved character or a shocking betrayal, viewers were left with questions, heartbreak, and a thirst for answers.
The Theme of Revenge in Season 23
Why This Season Feels More Personal Than Ever
Revenge isn’t new in NCIS, but this time, it feels different. More personal. More raw. Like someone’s not going to stop until justice is served—or lines are crossed.
Psychological Warfare and High Stakes
Exploring the Mental Game Behind the Conflict
Revenge isn’t just action—it’s a mind game. Season 23 promises intellectual and emotional chess matches, where the enemy might not be who you expect—and trust is shattered.
New Villains or Old Ghosts?
Who Might Be the Target of Revenge?
Familiar Faces Could Return
Whether it’s a ghost from the past or a new nemesis, all eyes are on who will face the team’s wrath. Fan theories are flooding social media, and the writers are known for pulling off some of the most unexpected character resurrections.
Plot Twists You Should Brace For
Expect The Unexpected
From shocking betrayals to secret alliances, NCIS writers are the masters of plot grenades. Season 23 might just flip the entire power structure of the team.
How the Team Will Handle It
Will Gibbs’ Legacy Influence the Response?
Even though Gibbs is no longer leading the charge, his ghost looms large. The moral compass he left behind might shape how the team handles this boiling pot of revenge.
What the Cast Is Saying
Cryptic Social Media Hints Are Fueling Theories
Cast members have dropped cryptic emojis, shared behind-the-scenes snaps, and made offhand comments that hint at drastic transformations, shocking deaths, or maybe even betrayals.
Could a Fan-Favorite Character Turn Rogue?
The Seeds of a Betrayal Might Already Be Planted
Every good revenge story has a twist. Could someone inside the team go rogue or switch sides? The quote “It can’t not have consequences” may also apply to loyalty.
Action, Emotion, and Legacy
NCIS Season 23 Might Redefine the Franchise
This isn’t just another season. It feels like a legacy-defining arc, packed with cinematic moments, tear-jerking performances, and stakes higher than ever before.
What Fans Are Saying
Social Media Is Already Exploding
From Reddit threads to TikTok reactions, the fan base is already in meltdown mode. Everyone has a theory, and no one’s calm.
SEO-Driven Insight: Why Revenge Stories Work
The Psychology Behind Our Obsession with Payback
Revenge storylines aren’t just entertaining—they tap into a deep psychological need for justice and closure. Season 23 is primed to deliver that sweet (and salty) payoffWill This Season Break Viewership Records?
Why Everyone Will Be Watching
Between the revenge arc, returning cast rumors, and massive emotional stakes, this season could very well break viewership records and become one of the most talked-about in NCIS history.
Get Ready for Some Goodbyes
Will Season 23 Mean More Character Deaths?
Let’s face it—not everyone survives revenge. If the past is any indicator, we might lose someone beloved, and it’ll hit like a freight train.
Wrapping It All Up
Revenge Is Coming. Are You Ready?
Season 23 isn’t just another procedural walk in the park—it’s an emotional rollercoaster with revenge at its burning core. If you’re expecting the usual NCIS, think again. The stakes are higher, the pain is deeper, and the consequences? Oh, they’re inevitable.
