It took some time for NCIS to get started in fall 2025 compared to many other broadcast shows, but that was because CBS had a plan. With a later fall return, it meant that we would get episodes up until the week before Christmas, and it made the show worth the wait.

Now we get to that week, and it brings some bad news. There are no more new episodes of NCIS season 23 in 2025. The episode that aired on Tuesday, Dec. 16 was the fall finale, and what a big way to end the year!

The series finally brought closure for Parker, as he learned the truth about his mother’s death. It turned out that she wasn’t the driver of the vehicle in the report. Instead, she survived and was directly connected to Lily in a way of saving her. She had a good reason for leaving Alden behind, and she hadn’t even intended to fully leave him behind at all.

NCIS season 23 returns in 2026

The bad news is that the show is on a break, and this is a little longer than we’re used to, as there won’t be any new episodes in January 2026. Instead, CBS is holding off NCIS season 23 until Tuesday, Feb. 24. It will remain in the 8/7c timeslot, bringing us a full night of NCIS drama with Origins and Sydney.

While it is a longer wait, there is a good reason for it. The Winter Olympics will air on NBC throughout most of February, and this means shows that come back in January are likely to head off on a break in February. It doesn’t make sense for networks to go up against such a huge sporting fixture.

Rather than the inconsistency of the break, CBS has opted to just hold everything until after the Winter Olympics. When NCIS does return, there will be enough episodes to run from February to May with minimal breaks, helping to create a more consistent schedule.

What to expect on NCIS season 23 episode 10

So, what can we expect to see when the show returns? Well, there was an exciting surprise at the end of NCIS season 23 episode 9. Eleanor Bishop returned, but not to join the team. She was spotted in a car at the graveside as Parker and the others made sure Eleanor’s body was laid to rest.

Knight got a mission for her ELITE team, and it was a sensitive one. She and her new team will need to track down Bishop, as it turns out that she is acting outside of the law. This reveal doesn’t surprise us, considering the synopsis for the fall finale. Quite honestly, that would have been best to take out since it only came up at the end of the episode!

NCIS season 23 will return on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 8/7c on CBS.