With inspiration from NCIS: Origins, the long-running hit is finally making its characters the stars of the show.
For over two decades, NCIS has been the procedural that keeps on ticking—churning out gripping investigations, witty banter, and more than a few surprise shootouts. But after 22 seasons of solving murders and catching bad guys, the series is shifting its focus inward.
When NCIS returns this fall for Season 23, expect less chase and more character. In what showrunner Steven D. Binder calls a “character-forward” season, the team you’ve known and loved for years is finally stepping into the emotional spotlight.
🧠 Why Now? The Gibbs Effect
The shift comes on the heels of the franchise’s most personal series to date: NCIS: Origins, the prequel centered on a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs, played by Austin Stowell and narrated by Mark Harmon himself.
Unlike the mothership show’s usual procedural format, Origins dives deep into the man behind the rules, tracing the emotional roots of one of TV’s most iconic characters. That vulnerability struck a chord.
“Origins showed us there’s a hunger for more than just explosions and suspects,” Binder shared in an interview with TVLine. “People care about these characters, and it’s time we gave them the depth they deserve.”
💬 What the Showrunner Promised
Binder didn’t hold back on what’s to come:
“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,” he teased.
It’s a sentiment long echoed by fans. While the show’s episodic structure has made it bingeable, it’s the team dynamics, heartbreaks, rivalries, and loyalties that have truly kept viewers coming back for over 20 years.
🔍 What Does “Character-Forward” Really Mean?
Expect deeper arcs for each major character. Where previous seasons focused on one or two leads per storyline, Season 23 will aim to “get to everybody in a big way,” according to Binder.
That likely includes:
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Alden Parker (Gary Cole): How has replacing Gibbs changed him? What unresolved guilt or pressure does he carry?
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Jessica Knight (Katrina Law): A fierce agent with a guarded heart—will we see her finally let someone in?
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Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama): Still recovering from the Season 22 cliffhanger—his story could lead to major personal revelations.
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Kasie Hines (Diona Reasonover): The team’s heart and brain—how does she cope with the emotional toll of her job?
🔙 How NCIS: Origins Changed the Franchise
NCIS: Origins premiered to strong buzz in 2024 and instantly proved there was more to Gibbs than just “Rule #9.” The series gave fans intimate access to the early years of the fan-favorite leader—his family trauma, his first missions, and the mentors who shaped his signature stoicism.
Austin Stowell, who plays young Gibbs, admits the role came with heavy pressure.
“Gibbs will always be Mark Harmon’s character,” he told Deadline. “I’m just lucky to carry the torch—even for a little while.”
And while Harmon no longer appears on NCIS, his voice echoes through Origins, where he serves as narrator and executive producer—making sure the character he helped create stays true to form.
📺 What This Means for Season 23
With the procedural formula still in place (this is still NCIS, after all), don’t expect the show to abandon its roots. But where past episodes may have reserved emotional moments for finales or sweeps, Season 23 promises to embed personal journeys into the heart of the weekly stories.
And for longtime fans? That’s the kind of evolution that feels earned.
🔮 The Future of the Franchise
With NCIS: Origins heading into Season 2 and NCIS: Sydney gaining global momentum, the franchise is proving more agile than ever. And if Season 23 delivers on its promises, the original series could be in for a major renaissance.
Because in the end, it’s not just about solving crimes — it’s about why these characters keep showing up every day, and who they become when the case is closed.
📌 Mark Your Calendars
NCIS Season 23 premieres Fall 2025 on CBS.
NCIS: Origins Season 2 begins production this summer.
