With the news that NCIS season 23 is premiering on Tuesday, October 14th, 2025, I’m ready for another thrilling, adventure-packed, and memorable season of the hit CBS procedural. There’s no doubt that the show has ebbed and flowed since its premiere in 2003. While not every episode has been a stand-out and fans still wish Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) never left, the series is still solid, fun, and entertaining.

While some TV shows crash and burn after just a handful of seasons, NCIS still excites and surprises fans, even with season 23 on the horizon. I was already looking forward to seeing smart characters like Jessica Knight (Katrina Law) again, but after hearing some compelling comments from the showrunner, I’m even more thrilled about NCIS season 23.

NCIS Season 23 Will Focus On The Characters Even More, Which Is Great News

“We really want to get to everybody in a big way. 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. So, if you’re invested in these people, this is going to be the season for you.”

As a huge fan of character-driven procedurals like The Rookie and medical dramas with big ensembles such as Chicago Med, I’m excited to hear this. Fans miss Mark Harmon’s Gibbs because he was such an unforgettable and well-crafted character, and it’s hard to say that any other NCIS agents have been able to fill his shoes. While some like Alden Parker (Gary Cole) more, others think Gibbs should have remained on the show. Some could say that the show hasn’t been quite the same since Gibbs moved to Alaska and that each episode has focused more on action and cases that are sometimes over the top. It’s definitely time for NCIS to dive deeper into the characters and let fans get to know them even better.

I think NCIS season 23 has a great opportunity to give its best characters weighty and meaningful storylines. While Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) had many plotlines in NCIS season 22, including when he started using a dating app, I still want to learn more about him. It would be great to see more of each main character’s personal life since there is so much focus on their professional endeavors. I also think Jessica Knight should have more storylines that aren’t focused on her relationship with Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen). While I enjoy their banter and think they’re a solid couple, much like Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil) and Tim Bradford (Eric Winter) on The Rookie, I also think they’re interesting on their own.

NCIS Season 23 Is Filming Now

The cast of NCIS is currently filming season 23, and Katrina Law posted a fun photo on her Instagram account. She’s standing with fellow cast members Wilmer Valderrama, Gary Cole, Rocky Carroll, and Sean Murray. CBS renewed NCIS for another season back in February 2025, which drives home how popular the series still is. Other returning cast members include Gary Cole as Alden Parker, the NCIS Supervisory Special Agent, and Diona Reasonover, who plays Kasie Hines.

The cast often shares behind-the-scenes moments on their social media accounts, with Valderrama posting back in March 2025, “That’s a wrap on season 22. See you next season!” With several characters who are just as clever and quick-witted as past Special Agent Kate Todd (Sasha Alexander), I can’t wait to see what happens to them in NCIS season 23.