The long-running CBS procedural drama NCIS returned for its 23rd season, and the premiere episode delivered a deeply personal and emotional story for team leader Alden Parker. Titled “Prodigal Son, Part 1,” the episode aired on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 8:00 PM ET/PT on CBS. The episode not only brought back the main team but also introduced a significant family member of Parker’s, setting the stage for a two-part season opener filled with revenge and grief.
As Parker dealt with the murder of his father, viewers went on an intense journey that saw him clashing with mob bosses and putting his entire future with NCIS on the line. The episode was written by Christopher J. Waild and directed by Diana Valentine. Here is a detailed look at the cast and characters who brought this premiere to life.
The Main NCIS Team Returns
The core Major Case Response Team was back in full force for Season 23. These agents work together every day to solve crimes involving the Navy and Marine Corps. Their primary mission in the premiere was to solve the murder of Parker’s father while also trying to keep their boss from going over the edge.
Gary Cole as Alden Parker
Gary Cole led the cast as Supervisory Special Agent Alden Parker. In this episode, Parker was not the cool, collected leader the team was used to. He was consumed by grief and rage after finding his father murdered in his own home. He held mob boss Carla Marino responsible and was willing to stop at almost nothing to bring her in, even if it meant breaking rules and jeopardizing his career. The episode showed Parker going to extreme lengths to hunt down Marino, setting the tone for a very personal and dangerous mission.
Sean Murray as Timothy McGee
Sean Murray played Senior Field Agent Timothy McGee. As the longest-serving member of the current team, McGee acted as a pillar of support and reason. When Parker started making reckless decisions, agents like McGee had to balance their loyalty to their boss with their duty to follow the director’s orders. He was a crucial part of the team’s effort to solve the case while keeping Parker safe from himself.
Wilmer Valderrama as Nick Torres
Wilmer Valderrama starred as Special Agent Nick Torres. Known for his undercover skills and impulsive nature, Torres could relate to Parker’s desire for justice. The episode put Torres and the rest of the team in a difficult position as they were specifically told to ensure Parker did not go anywhere dangerous alone. This created a tense dynamic as they tried to help their friend while also following orders from Director Vance.
Katrina Law as Jessica Knight
Katrina Law portrayed Special Agent Jessica Knight. Knight brought her specialized skills to the team. In “Prodigal Son, Part 1,” she was part of the group trying to manage the fallout from Parker’s personal mission. The team worked together, with Knight playing a key role in the field as they tracked leads related to Marino.
Brian Dietzen as Jimmy Palmer
Brian Dietzen returned as Dr. Jimmy Palmer, the Chief Medical Examiner. While much of the episode focused on the field agents chasing Marino, Palmer’s role was crucial in providing the forensic evidence and context surrounding the death of Parker’s father. He provided a grounding presence even in the most chaotic situations.
Diona Reasonover as Kasie Hines
Diona Reasonover played Forensic Specialist Kasie Hines. Working out of the NCIS lab, Kasie was responsible for analyzing the physical evidence. In a high-stakes case like this, her findings could make the difference between catching a criminal and letting them slip away. She worked closely with the agents to provide the technological and scientific edge they needed.
Rocky Carroll as Leon Vance
Rocky Carroll starred as NCIS Director Leon Vance. Vance was in a tough spot. He understood Parker’s pain, but as the director, he had to look at the bigger picture. He worried that Parker’s quest for vengeance could put the entire team at risk and damage the bureau’s reputation. His conflict with Parker over how to handle the Marino case was a central part of the episode’s drama.
Special Guest Star: Parker’s Sister Arrives
The Season 23 premiere brought a major addition to the NCIS universe by introducing a key member of Alden Parker’s family. This character was not a passing figure. She was central to the two-part premiere and Parker’s backstory.
Nancy Travis as Navy Vice Admiral Harriet Parker
Nancy Travis guest starred as Navy Vice Admiral Harriet Parker, Alden Parker’s sister. Her arrival was a major event in the episode. As a high-ranking officer in the Navy, Harriet brought her own perspective and authority to the situation. The official synopsis confirmed that she was Parker’s sister, and her presence added a new layer of complexity to the story.
Harriet was not just there to support her brother. She had her own complicated history with him and their father. The grief of losing their parent affected her deeply as well. Viewers saw her grappling with the same loss from a different point of view. Her military rank also meant she had the power to make decisions that could have massive consequences for Parker and his mission. Flashbacks in the episode revealed a difficult youth for Parker and showed Harriet’s efforts to guide him, making their present-day dynamic even more compelling.
Other Guest Stars in “Prodigal Son, Part 1”
Beyond the main cast and the prominent role of Nancy Travis, the premiere episode featured several other actors who helped bring the story to life. These performers appeared in both the present-day investigation and the flashback scenes that explored Parker’s past.
According to episode guides from multiple international sources, the full guest cast for NCIS Season 23 Episode 1 included:
- Harrison Leahy as a young Alden Parker. He appeared in flashback scenes that showed the character’s troubled younger years.
- Alexa Nisenson as a young Harriet Parker. She portrayed Parker’s sister during their childhood, providing context for their current relationship.
- Mark Lawson as a young Roman Parker, the father of Alden and Harriet. His portrayal in flashbacks was key to understanding the family dynamic and the weight of his murder.
- Aric Hendrix as FBI Agent Eric Ford, indicating that the case might involve cross-agency cooperation or conflict.
- Joy Cooper as a Navy Officer, adding to the authentic military atmosphere of the show.
- Kayla Carlson as Sally Kaogh, a character involved in the episode’s plot.
- Michael Ferragamo as Lenny, another character connected to the case.
These actors, along with the main cast, helped create the rich, detailed world of NCIS as it tackled one of its most personal stories in years.
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Where to Watch the Episode
NCIS Season 23 Episode 1, “Prodigal Son, Part 1,” premiered on CBS on October 14, 2025. For those who missed the live broadcast, the episode is available for streaming. Viewers with a Paramount+ Premium plan can watch it live or on demand. Subscribers with the Paramount+ Essential plan can stream the episode the day after it airs on CBS. This marked the show’s return to its traditional Tuesday night time slot at 8:00 PM, leading into other shows in the NCIS franchise.
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