Great news for NCIS fans: Season 23 is officially in production, and it’s bringing some exciting changes along with it.

The beloved CBS drama wrapped its 22nd season in May with a high-stakes finale involving missing nuclear materials and a tense mission that pushed Alden Parker (Gary Cole) to his limits. Now, with a fall premiere date set for October 14, the team is back on set and ready for more action.

Over the weekend, lighting technician Nicholas Aiello shared behind-the-scenes photos from Day 1 of filming in Santa Clarita, California. “Day 1 of NCIS season 23 😊,” he captioned the post, sparking an outpouring of excitement from fans and crew members alike.

But it’s not just business as usual this season.

Showrunner Steven D. Binder revealed that Season 23 will shift its focus to dive deeper into the characters’ personal lives. Speaking with TVLine, he teased: “We really want to get to everybody in a big way. If you’re invested in these people, this is going to be the season for you.”

This character-driven direction mirrors the tone of NCIS: Origins, the Mark Harmon-produced prequel that spotlights a young Gibbs (played by Austin Stowell). Like Origins, Season 23 promises not only gripping cases but also a richer look into the lives behind the badges.

Mark your calendars-NCIS returns October 14 on CBS!