The Longest Running Procedural Drama Hits a Major Milestone in Its Twenty-Third Season
In short: As NCIS enters its twenty-third year, the veteran series marks a significant achievement with its 500th episode. While the show continues to evolve, this season brings major cast departures and a special crossover event that bridges the past and present of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service team based in Washington.
The twenty-third season of the long-running procedural, which premiered on October 14, 2025, and concluded on May 12, 2026, consisted of 20 episodes. Centered on a group of investigators handling crimes linked to the United States Navy and Marine Corps, the show remains anchored at the Washington Navy Yard. Supervisory Special Agent Alden Parker, a former FBI investigator, continues to lead the team through complex cases.
A notable highlight of this season was the 500th episode milestone. Additionally, a crossover event held on November 11 featured a case spanning several decades, bringing back familiar faces including Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Vera Strickland, and Mike Franks. For this specific broadcast, the network adjusted its usual programming schedule to accommodate the special collaboration between the main series and its spinoff, NCIS: Origins.
The season also marked a significant transition for the cast. Rocky Carroll, who portrayed NCIS Director Leon Vance for 18 years, departed the series as a regular character in the 13th episode. Although his character was written out following a death, Carroll returned for the season finale in scenes set prior to that event. Despite leaving his on-screen role, Carroll will remain involved with the production as a director. Looking ahead, the network confirmed the series will return to its traditional Tuesday 8pm timeslot, and the show has already been renewed for a 24th season as of January 22, 2026.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: NCIS season 23
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