NCIS wrapped its 23rd season on May 12, 2026, after 20 episodes that changed the team in ways viewers had not seen in years. The season delivered the show’s 500th episode, the death of a long-time main character, the return of a former agent, and a finale that ended with a gunshot and no clear answer about who was hit. Here is what happened across the season and where the story stands before Season 24 arrives on CBS on October 6, 2026.
The 500th Episode and Vance’s Death
The season’s biggest moment came in episode 13, titled “All Good Things,” which served as the show’s 500th episode overall. Rocky Carroll‘s Leon Vance, who had played the NCIS Director since 2008, was killed in the line of duty. Vance died saving the agency from a corrupt agent who tried to blow up NCIS headquarters. The death ended an 18-season run for Carroll as a series regular. The episode aired on March 24, 2026 in the US.
Carroll later spoke about the decision. He told The Hollywood Reporter that he did not know Vance would die when the season began. The episode included a tribute moment with a younger version of Ducky appearing to Vance, played by Adam Campbell from NCIS: Origins.
Parker’s Father and the Search for His Mother
Season 23 opened with Alden Parker (Gary Cole) dealing with the murder of his father. Parker went to extreme lengths to find the woman responsible, mob boss Carla Marino (Rebecca De Mornay). The two-part premiere introduced Parker’s sister, Navy Vice Admiral Harriet Parker (Nancy Travis), and showed flashbacks of Parker’s troubled youth.
The season’s fall finale brought another major reveal about Parker’s family. Kasie Hines (Diona Reasonover) confirmed that the body previously thought to be Parker’s mother was not actually her. Parker later put his mother to rest after the truth about her disappearance was finally explained. The storyline gave Parker a personal arc that ran through much of the season.
Ellie Bishop Returns and Torres Faces a Choice
Emily Wickersham returned as Eleanor “Ellie” Bishop in episode 10, titled “Her.” Bishop had been away from the team for years, and her return revealed that she had been working undercover in a way that made her a wanted cyber-terrorist in the eyes of some. Jessica Knight (Katrina Law) was assigned to hunt Bishop down as part of her new role with NCIS Elite.
Bishop’s return also brought a reunion with Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama). The two shared a conversation where Bishop invited Torres to join her. The moment raised questions about Torres’s future with the team. Wickersham’s return was kept secret until the fall finale in December 2025, when her character appeared at the end of the episode.
McGee’s Son Mateo Arrives
Timothy McGee (Sean Murray) learned during the season that he had a teenage son from a past relationship. Mateo Garcia (Patrick Keleher), 18 years old, came into McGee’s life and even toured NCIS headquarters with interest in joining the agency. McGee hoped Mateo would be granted an internship.
The situation turned dark in the finale. Mateo was revealed to have other reasons for being at NCIS. The episode “Sons and Daughters” ended with Mateo and Torres in a standoff in an alleyway. Both reached for their guns after Torres told Mateo, “Don’t do it.” A gunshot was heard, and the screen went black.
What the Showrunner Said About the Cliffhanger
Showrunner Steven D. Binder spoke to TV Insider after the finale. He confirmed that someone was hit but said the wound would not be fatal.
“Someone was hit. I can confirm that,” Binder said. “I sort of had my fill this season, all of us, of killing people. So I can rule that out.”
Binder also said McGee would be “all kinds of conflicted” when Season 24 begins. He pointed to a past conversation between McGee and Gibbs about family loyalty as a sign of how the Mateo story would play out.
Wilmer Valderrama also spoke about the cliffhanger. He told People that fans “might not like” how it resolves and teased “major changes” for the show.
LaRoche Makes a Play for Director
With Vance gone, the Director’s chair became a key part of the season’s final episodes. Gabriel LaRoche (Seamus Dever), a former deputy director who had become a US associate attorney general, returned in the finale. He made clear to Parker that he wanted the top job and was willing to damage Vance’s legacy to get it.
An interim director filled the position for part of the season but was never shown on screen. LaRoche’s move set up a leadership crisis that will carry into Season 24.
Cast Changes and Returns
Season 23 marked the final season for Rocky Carroll as a series regular. It was also the third season without Joe Spano as Tobias Fornell. Sean Murray was the only original cast member still featured when the season began.
Michael Weatherly will return as Tony DiNozzo in a season-long arc in Season 24. Ziva David will not be part of Season 24, as Binder confirmed in an interview with TVLine. The NCIS franchise also renewed NCIS: Origins for Season 3 and NCIS: Sydney for Season 4.
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How to Watch NCIS Season 24
NCIS Season 24 will premiere on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 8 PM ET/PT on CBS. New episodes will air weekly on Tuesdays. The show will stream on Paramount+.
Viewers in the United States can watch live on CBS or stream live on Paramount+ with the Premium plan. Episodes will be available on demand on Paramount+ the day after they air for all subscribers. In the UK, Canada, and Australia, Paramount+ is the main streaming platform for the show, with release timing varying by region. India and other global markets typically get new episodes through Paramount+ or local broadcast partners, with dates often confirmed closer to the premiere.
Also Read: Lala’s NCIS Fate Is Sealed As NCIS: Origins Begins Gibbs’ Love Affair
For more updates on NCIS Season 24, cast news, and everything happening in the NCIS universe, keep reading VvipTimes.
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