The twenty-second season of NCIS has officially concluded its run, continuing the show’s legacy as a ratings powerhouse for CBS. With a core team of seven agents and investigators, the season navigated personal challenges and high-stakes cases. The cast includes familiar faces who have led the series through its evolution, alongside special guest stars that expanded the universe.
The Core Team of Seven
The operational backbone of the Major Case Response Team remains its seven principal agents and specialists. These stars are confirmed to have led the season from its premiere on October 14, 2024 through its finale on May 5, 2025.
- Gary Cole as Supervisory Special Agent Alden Parker: The team leader and former FBI agent, Parker brings a steady hand and a complicated past to the role.
- Sean Murray as Senior Special Agent Timothy McGee: Now the longest-serving agent on the team, McGee is a reliable and seasoned investigator.
- Wilmer Valderrama as Special Agent Nick Torres: A tough and sometimes unpredictable agent who specializes in undercover work.
- Katrina Law as Special Agent Jessica Knight: A passionate and driven agent whose career moves created ongoing storylines this season.
- Brian Dietzen as Dr. Jimmy Palmer: The cheerful Chief Medical Examiner, who has grown into his leadership role following the passing of his mentor, Ducky.
- Diona Reasonover as Kasie Hines: The team’s sharp and quirky forensic scientist who handles all the critical lab work.
- Rocky Carroll as Director Leon Vance: The longtime director of NCIS, who oversees the team’s operations while occasionally stepping into the field himself.
Significant Recurring and Guest Appearances
Beyond the main cast, the season featured several key recurring and guest stars who played pivotal roles in major story arcs.
- Rebecca De Mornay returned as Carla Marino, a mob boss from Parker’s past whose actions created significant consequences.
- Laura San Giacomo appeared as Dr. Grace Confalone, the team’s trusted psychologist.
- LL Cool J reprised his role as Sam Hanna, the former NCIS: Los Angeles agent, in the episode “After the Storm.” The storyline involved a suspect who would only speak to him.
- Seamus Dever joined the season as Gabriel Laroche, a Deputy Director whose appointment caused friction and suspicion within the team.
- Margo Harshman appeared as Delilah Fielding-McGee, Tim McGee’s wife and a DoD analyst.
- Zane Holtz played Special Agent Dale Sawyer, an NCIS agent who assisted on cases with personal connections.
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Character Arcs and Story Highlights
The season’s narrative was driven by the personal and professional lives of its core team. A major storyline involved Jessica Knight’s career decision. After being offered a position as a REACT Chief Training Officer in the season 21 finale, her choice to stay with the NCIS team or leave played out in the early part of the season, affecting her relationship with Jimmy Palmer.
Another central plot was the team’s investigation into a mole within NCIS. This storyline saw Timothy McGee become intensely focused on Deputy Director Laroche, creating a “white whale” scenario for the veteran agent. The search for the mole ultimately connected to the return of Parker’s nemesis, Carla Marino, setting the stage for a dramatic season finale and future storylines.
The season also dedicated time to exploring Alden Parker’s personal history, including visions of a little girl named Lily and a deeper look into his family, particularly his father, played by Francis X. McCarthy.
A Franchise Continuing Strong
The successful run of Season 22 has already paved the way for the future. Prior to the season’s end, CBS officially renewed NCIS for a 23rd season, which is scheduled to premiere in the fall of 2025. This ensures that the core team of agents will continue to investigate naval crimes for another year, building on the foundation laid in this latest season.
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