Alden Parker (Gary Cole), a beloved character in the NCIS franchise, carries significant trauma from his past. Stepping into the difficult role of replacing Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon), Parker faced a nearly impossible task but has since become a fan favorite, helping the show continue to thrive after Gibbsโ departure.
While Parker has become a familiar presence on NCIS, thereโs still much to uncover about his character. That will change in 2025, as fans will get more insight into his backstory. In an interview with TV Insider, NCIS executive producer Steven D. Binder revealed that the winter return of the show will delve into Parkerโs past, offering crucial details about his history. “Weโre going to take you through this and get you to the place where weโre going,” Binder explained. “Itโs a really interesting, sort of messed-up history that Parker has, and we donโt want to reveal everything in one episode.” Binder noted that the slow reveal of Gibbsโ backstory took several seasons, and theyโre following a similar approach with Parker.
While weโve seen glimpses of Parkerโs past trauma, including a haunting vision of his mother during the season 21 finale, Binder teased that thereโs much more to discover. Parker has yet to learn many truths about his family, some of which challenge the version of events his father told him. “Whatโs going to trigger Parker is heโs going to dig into some family lore and realize itโs not what heโd been told,” Binder shared. “He has a memory of events, but then there are the events his father told him, and the actual events that happened.”
Gary Cole has emphasized that Parker differs from Gibbs in several key ways. While Gibbs was the stern father figure, Cole sees Parker as more of the “crazy uncle.” “This guy was the crazy uncle,” the actor explained to Cinemablend. “Even though heโs the leader of the team, he only uses his authority when necessary, or just for coordination.” This distinction has been central to Parkerโs character, and it will be interesting to see how it plays out as more of his backstory is revealed in the coming year.
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