‘NCIS’ Season 23: Premiere Date, Cast, Plot, and Everything to Know
The NCIS universe just keeps expanding — but the flagship series isn’t going anywhere. CBS has officially confirmed that NCIS will return for its 23rd season, and it’s bringing a big change: a new night and time. The long-running crime drama moves back to its original Tuesday 8/7c slot, starting October 14, 2025, as part of an all-NCIS lineup with NCIS: Origins and NCIS: Sydney.
🗓 When Does NCIS Season 23 Premiere?
CBS revealed its fall 2025 schedule back in July, confirming NCIS Season 23 premieres Tuesday, October 14, at 8/7c. The season kicks off with a two-part premiere airing on October 14 and 21.
- Episode 1: “Prodigal Son (Part 1)” – Reeling from his father’s murder, Parker (Gary Cole) goes rogue to hunt mob boss Carla Marino (Rebecca De Mornay), putting his career—and the entire team—at risk.
- Episode 2: “Prodigal Son (Part II)” – Parker’s thirst for revenge threatens to consume him, while his sister, Navy Vice Admiral Harriet Parker (Nancy Travis), faces an impossible decision.
The show then returns to its familiar case-of-the-week format with Episode 3, “The Sound and the Fury” (October 28), featuring Special Agent Sawyer (Zane Holtz) and a high-stakes case that turns dangerous for Torres (Wilmer Valderrama). Meanwhile, Knight (Katrina Law) gets an offer to train with NCIS Elite.
📺 How to Watch
You can stream NCIS live on Paramount+ (Tuesdays at 8/7c) or watch on-demand:
- Paramount+ Premium subscribers get next-day access.
- Paramount+ Essential users can stream episodes the day after they air on CBS.
👥 Who’s Returning for Season 23?
The NCIS main cast returns for another season of high-stakes investigations:
- Sean Murray as Special Agent Timothy McGee
- Wilmer Valderrama as Special Agent Nick Torres
- Brian Dietzen as Dr. Jimmy Palmer
- Diona Reasonover as Forensic Scientist Kasie Hines
- Katrina Law as Special Agent Jessica Knight
- Rocky Carroll as NCIS Director Leon Vance
- Gary Cole as Special Agent Alden Parker
🔥 What to Expect in Season 23
Following last season’s emotional cliffhanger — Parker finding his father dead — Season 23 dives deep into Parker’s descent into revenge.
“He’s going to be out for blood,” executive producer Steven D. Binder told TV Insider. “It’ll feel uncharacteristic for Parker, but it’s entirely justified. We’ve seen this kind of fire before in NCIS—when Gibbs lost his family or when Bishop went after Torres’ attacker. Parker’s journey will mirror that intensity.”
Binder also teased that the season’s theme is “NCIS on Fire”, promising major personal arcs for every team member. Expect tension between Parker and Vance, as the director enforces a strict “by-the-book” rule to keep the team in check.
🎥 Is There a Trailer?
Yes! The official NCIS Season 23 trailer — first released by TV Insider in September — gives a chilling glimpse at Parker’s revenge-fueled mission and the emotional fallout from his father’s death.
🌍 What’s Next for the NCIS Franchise?
CBS’s NCIS universe continues to thrive:
- NCIS: Origins returns for Season 2
- NCIS: Sydney is back for Season 3
- And the highly anticipated spinoff NCIS: Tony & Ziva — starring Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo — arrives on Paramount+ in fall 2025
