Will There Be a Season 23 of NCIS ? All About the Drama’s Next Chapter (and What One Star Teased About Its Future)

Alden Parker’s team of special agents isn’t going anywhere as NCIS has officially been renewed for another season!

Since premiering in 2003, the police procedural following a group of agents working for the Naval Criminal Investigative Service has become a household, record-breaking staple. It’s not only one of the longest-running scripted TV shows in history, but it has also spawned six spinoffs: NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: New Orleans, NCIS: Hawai’i, NCIS: Sydney, NCIS: Origins and NCIS: Tony & Ziva.

Star Rocky Carroll — who plays NCIS Director Leon Vance in the series — told PEOPLE that the cast has hit so many milestones it almost didn’t register when they filmed their 1000th episode in 2024.

“It was like, ‘Okay, we got an episode to finish,’ ” the actor said. “That’s always been our blue-collar approach to doing the episodes. We know how rare the air that we’re in right now … But we don’t spend a lot of time relishing it or celebrating in the end zone because we got a work day to finish.”

Meet the Real-Life Partners of the NCIS Cast (Including the Couple Who Have Been Married for Nearly 40 Years!)
Considering the success NCIS has cultivated over its two decades of airtime and the season 22 finale cliffhanger on May 5, fans weren’t surprised that CBS had renewed the drama for its 23rd season in February 2025, per Variety.

Here’s everything to know about season 23 of NCIS and what the cast has said about the show’s future.

How did season 22 of NCIS leave off?

Season 22 introduced fans to one of NCIS’ most diabolical villains yet, Carla Marino (Rebecca De Mornay).

After she agreed to make a deal with NCIS Supervisory Special Agent Alden Parker (Gary Cole) and help him find the leader of the Nexus cartel, Marino flipped and took him hostage, blaming the agent for the death of her son.

But she doesn’t kill Agent Parker and instead leaves him on the side of the road, where he calls his team to warn them of her real plot to take out the heads of four prominent crime families. Though they’re able to diffuse the bomb she set, he returns home to find his father, Roman Parker (Francis X. McCarthy), dead.

Though not explicit, a lipstick stain on a nearby wine glass indicates that Marino may be responsible.

Will there be a season 23 of NCIS?

Star Wilmer Valderrama — who has played special agent Nick Torres since 2016 — said that the season 22 finale’s shocking death would push the team to “go rogue” in future episodes.

“The biggest idea was to say, ‘How do we disrupt the peace of season 22 and set up the tone for season 23?’ ” the That ‘70s Show alum said on CBS Mornings. “And this episode does that better than we’ve done in many years.”

Which cast members are returning for NCIS season 23?

Though CBS hasn’t confirmed the show’s returning stars, the main cast will likely reprise their roles for season 23. In addition to Valderrama, NCIS star Sean Murray, who plays Special Agent Timothy McGee, spoke about the show’s future. He told Town & Country in May 2025 that he would only leave the series if they stopped telling good stories.

“I’m proud of us that we are always trying to make it better and make good episodes,” said the actor, who is the show’s longest-running cast member. “I’m not just saying that—because if we weren’t doing that, I’d be bored. I wouldn’t want to do it.”

Brian Dietzen, who plays Dr. Jimmy Palmer, confirmed on Instagram that he would be returning for season 23, and tagged Cole, Valderrama and Carroll in the post. Katrina Law, who plays Special Agent Jessica Knight, and Diona Reasonover, who plays Forensic Scientist Kasie Hines, were also tagged in the announcement.