NCIS Takes Bold New Turn Inspired by Mark Harmon Spin-Off!

NCIS Season 23 Promises a More Character-Driven Approach — Inspired by NCIS: Origins

Good news for fans who watch NCIS as much for the characters as for the crime-solving: Season 23 is shaping up to be one of the most personal yet.

Traditionally, NCIS has led with action, often placing character development in the background. But after more than two decades on air, the showrunners are shifting focus. Inspired in part by the emotional depth of its recent spin-off NCIS: Origins, the upcoming season will put its beloved characters front and center.

Speaking with TVLine, longtime showrunner Steven D. Binder teased what’s ahead:

“We really want to get to everybody in a big way. I know people always say, ‘I watch the show for the characters’ — that was always our thing — and I really want to make this a character-forward show in a way we haven’t seen before. So if you’re invested in these people, this is going to be the season for you.”

The franchise has already ventured deeper into character storytelling with NCIS: Origins, which premiered last year and explores the early years of a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Played by Austin Stowell, this younger Gibbs offers fans a glimpse into the formative moments that helped shape the legendary agent made famous by Mark Harmon.

Though Origins has plenty of action and tension, its true focus is on relationships, identity, and the personal cost of duty—elements that clearly influenced the direction of NCIS Season 23.

Stowell recently opened up to Deadline about the challenge of portraying a character with such an iconic legacy.

“I was scared for so many reasons. First time doing a network show, first time playing a character already portrayed, and first time being number one on the call sheet,” he admitted.
“I like pressure. I want the ball in my hands at the bottom of the ninth. But at the end of the day, Gibbs will always be Mark Harmon’s character. I don’t think I’ll ever get fully comfortable with that.”

Though Harmon doesn’t appear on screen in Origins, he plays a vital role as both narrator and executive producer, maintaining the connection between the prequel and the flagship series.

NCIS: Origins is currently gearing up for its second season, while NCIS Season 23 is set to premiere this fall on CBS — and this time, expect more heart, more backstory, and more of what fans love most: the people behind the badges.