NCIS fans were disappointed to see season 21 have a schedule shake-up just a few weeks into the drama making a comeback.
Like many other shows, the CBS police procedural was massively delayed due to the actors and writers’ strikes last year which meant productions couldn’t go ahead.
So instead of starting in September as usual, NCIS was pushed back by five months with season 21 only beginning in mid-February.
Since then, a new episode has aired every week, with episode two, The Stories We Leave Behind, particularly leaving a lasting impression as the show paid tribute to the late Ducky star David McCallum.
But despite only showing a handful of episodes, NCIS did not return for episode five last night, Monday, March 11, as expected.
Even though the strikes have come to an end, it has caused issues in terms of the scheduling for the 2023-2024 season.
Typically, the season ends in May with NCIS having enough episodes to see it through this period with a few breaks from time to time.
But a longer-term impact of the strikes is that season 21 is going to be far shorter than normal, with just 13 episodes, rather than the usual 22.
So to keep on track for a May end date, more regular scheduled breaks are needed.
NCIS will be taking a two-week break from our screens with episode five, The Plan, due to air on Monday, March 25.
So far, no details have come out on what is going to happen in this episode, leaving fans in the dark for the time being.
NCIS, however, is not the only show to be broken up by these hiatuses with its spin-off NCIS:Hawaii also delayed.
NCIS: Hawaii will be back on the same date, Monday, March 25, with an episode called Serve and Protect.
The synopsis for the spin-off reads: “NCIS is tasked to protect the daughter of a Russian oligarch carrying a deadly secret. Meanwhile, Sam asks Tennant for a favour.”
It’s not all bad news for NCIS fans though as it was recently announced another spin-off is on the way, this time following legendary former agents Tony DiNozzo (played by Michael Weatherly) and Ziva David (Cote de Pablo).
Having left the US to start again in Paris with their daughter Tali, Tony’s security firm business comes under attack and they must go on the run but who is after them?
Production for the spin-off nicknamed NCIS: Europe is set to begin later this year.
