The NCIS: Sydney team faces a modern mystery when a murder case becomes the subject of a popular podcast. Episode 8, titled “Turkey Shoot,” is set to air on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 10:00 PM ET/PT on CBS in the United States.
This episode moves the investigation into the world of online fandom. The story begins with the discovery of a dead American sailor, who was previously accused of murder. As the team looks into his death, they learn his case was being discussed on a well-known true-crime podcast. This leads them to ask a difficult question: did a listener or a superfan of the show decide to take justice into their own hands?. The episode shows how stories in the media can affect real-life investigations and the people involved.
When and Where to Watch NCIS: Sydney Episode 8
Fans in the United States can watch “Turkey Shoot” as it airs on the CBS television network. The episode will start at its usual time, 10:00 PM Eastern and Pacific Time, on Tuesday, December 9.
For viewers who stream their shows, Paramount Plus is the main platform for NCIS: Sydney. If you subscribe to Paramount Plus with the Premium tier ($12.99 per month), you can watch the episode live as it broadcasts on CBS. Subscribers to the standard Essential tier ($7.99 per month) can watch the episode on-demand the day after it airs on TV, beginning on Wednesday, December 10. Episodes are also available for purchase on services like Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango At Home.
The release schedule for international fans varies. In Canada, the episode airs on Global TV at the same time, 10:00 PM ET/PT. In the United Kingdom, episodes become available on Paramount Plus starting the day after the U.S. broadcast, on Wednesday, December 10. In the show’s home country of Australia, viewers can watch new episodes on Paramount Plus on the same Tuesday as the U.S., though local times will differ.
The Central Mystery of “Turkey Shoot”
The official description for the episode sets up a complex puzzle. An American sailor, who was suspected of murder, is found shot. His death just as he was under investigation raises immediate flags for the team.
The investigation takes a turn when they find out the sailor’s alleged crime was the focus of a popular true-crime podcast. This adds a new layer to the case, forcing the team to look at the intense fans and online communities that can form around these real-life stories. Michelle Mackey (Olivia Swann), JD Dempsey (Todd Lasance), and the rest of the task force must work to find out if the killer was motivated by the podcast’s coverage.
Meet the NCIS: Sydney Task Force
The joint U.S.-Australian team is led by two very different personalities. Olivia Swann plays Michelle Mackey, the NCIS Supervisory Special Agent who leads the task force. Her partner is Todd Lasance as Sergeant Jim “JD” Dempsey, a skilled officer with the Australian Federal Police (AFP). Their professional dynamic, balancing different styles and jurisdictions, is a core part of the show.
The team’s investigative muscle comes from Sean Sagar as NCIS Special Agent DeShawn Jackson and Tuuli Narkle as AFP Constable Evie Cooper. The science and medical expertise is provided by Mavournee Hazel as AFP forensic scientist Bluebird “Blue” Gleeson and William McInnes as the AFP’s witty forensic pathologist, Dr. Roy “Rosie” Penrose. This core group of six has been the stable ensemble for the show’s third season.
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A Look at Season 3 and the NCIS Franchise
Season 3 of NCIS: Sydney is its longest yet, with a total of 20 episodes. The season began on October 14, 2025, and new episodes air weekly on Tuesday nights. The episode before “Turkey Shoot,” titled “Gold Digger,” aired on December 2 and involved a search for lost treasure. The following episode, “South of Nowhere,” is scheduled for December 16.
This Australian series is a notable part of the larger NCIS franchise, as it is the first spin-off to be set and produced entirely outside the United States. The show follows the formula of its predecessors, focusing on a team that investigates crimes connected to the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. The unique twist in Sydney is the constant collaboration and occasional clash between American NCIS agents and officers of the Australian Federal Police as they work in the Indo-Pacific region.
As the team gets ready to investigate this podcast-driven crime, viewers can expect the usual mix of procedure, action, and the distinct personality clashes that come from blending two different national law enforcement cultures.
