NCIS Hits 500 Episodes—Big Surprise Teased by Showrunner!

NCIS Gears Up for 500th Episode in Season 23 — What’s the Plan?

CBS’ NCIS—the juggernaut that spun off from JAG and launched a 1,000-episode franchise—will hit another major milestone in Season 23: its 500th episode, slated to air as Episode 13.

So, what’s the early plan to commemorate the occasion (aside from the traditional number-shaped cake)?

Looking back, milestone episodes have always delivered something special. Episode 200 featured Gibbs reliving moments from his past through visions of Mike Franks. No. 250 brought back fan-favorite Robert Wagner as DiNozzo Sr. Episode 300 welcomed Taye Diggs in a standout guest role and explored pivotal flashbacks for Gibbs. And Episode 400 turned the clock back to show how a young Gibbs first met Ducky. The 1,000th episode of the entire franchise celebrated its roots with callbacks to the original pilot and a huge guest star appearance.

As for Episode 500, the team behind the show is aiming for something equally meaningful. Showrunner Steven D. Binder said the goal, as always, is “to do something really special and worthy of that number.” Ideas have ranged from returning to the pilot, revisiting key character backstories, or creating a case that spans the entire history of the series.

When asked if they’d settled on a concept, Binder replied with a smile: “It’s not that we don’t have ideas—it’s just, which one’s worthy of this milestone?”

Could this be the moment Gibbs (Mark Harmon) finally returns? Or perhaps it’s time to shine the spotlight on Sean Murray’s McGee, now the longest-running regular on the show and set to become its most-featured character?

Whatever the plan, Episode 500 is shaping up to be a celebration of NCIS’s rich history—and a love letter to its loyal fans.