NCIS season 22 is officially bringing back a fan-favorite NCIS character and I already have seven guesses on who it could be. After being on the air for over twenty years and with NCIS season 23 on the way, NCIS has a plethora of characters it can bring back for a memorable cameo. Over the course of its run, the crime-procedural has remained one of the most popular network TV shows, and with good reason. Its ability to craft invigorating storylines and complex characters is what brings the show to life.
As NCIS season 22 comes to a close, the writers have something exciting planned for the episodes leading up to the finale. NCIS season 22 will officially have 20 episodes and while no updates have been revealed about the finale just yet, episode 18 is set to be a special one. The upcoming NCIS season 22 outing 18 will feature a returning character with at least one scene with Jimmy. The fan-favorite returning in NCIS season 22 is an exciting addition to the season and there is a high chance that it is one of these seven characters.
7 Ziva David
A Member Of NCIS' Prime MCRT
Ziva David is one of NCIS' best characters, and she is also the most likely character to appear in NCIS season 22. In an interview with Collider, Brian Dietzen spoke out about the mysterious episode 18 and revealed that he "just did a scene with a wonderful guest star who you're definitely going to recognize." With Ziva's close friendship and strong history with NCIS and Jimmy, her reappearance on NCIS is a major possibility. Read Dietzen's full quote below:
We're shooting our 18th episode. We have 20 ordered on the season. So this is the pre-pre finale, and it's great. We got some good stuff going on…I just did a scene with a wonderful guest star who you're definitely going to recognize, and I can't talk about yet. But, but, teaser: it's, it's one that I think our fans are really going to love…With 22 years of catalog, you go back to a lot of people. But yeah, it's pretty cool. Definitely a fan favorite.
Besides Ziva's close connection to NCIS, her likelihood of returning is also high because of her upcoming NCIS: Tony & Ziva spinoff. Her return to the NCIS franchise means it is more likely that she will return to the flagship and its spinoffs, either in a small appearance or as a recurring guest star in a crossover episode. After her backstory was revealed regarding why she had to fake her own death, she ended up on good terms with the team. Seeing her back in the NCIS office would be amazing to see, even if it is brief.
6 Gerald Jackson
Ducky's First Medical Assistant In Season 1
Another possible candidate is Gerald Jackson, Ducky's first medical assistant, who worked with MCRT's original ME before Jimmy officially joined the team. Gerald first appeared in the NCIS pilot, "Yankee White." He continued to be an important member of the team until the NCIS villain, Ari, shot him in the shoulder after he took him, Ducky, and Kate Todd hostage. Unfortunately, Gerald was a victim of NCIS' work hazards.
After Gerald's injury in season 1, he did not appear on-screen again until the two-part season 3 premiere. His reappearance was directly connected to Ari's return. However, by season 3, Gerald was too traumatized by the risks that came with the job to continue. If Gerald returns in NCIS season 22, he is not likely to work as an ME again, but his medical expertise does make him well-suited to offer medical advice on a tough case.
5 Alex Quinn
A Member Of The MCRT In Season 14
Jennifer Esposito's Alex Quinn is another highly likely candidate to return in NCIS season 22. Alex was a major member of the MCRT in season 14. While Quinn only appeared on NCIS for one season, she is definitely a recognizable character. She was never meant to remain a main character for long, but her departure also left room for her to return.
In the season 14 finale, Alex revealed she was leaving to care for her mother, who had Alzheimer's. As eight years have passed since Alex's departure, it is logical that her priorities could have shifted. Her family life could have changed, or she could have sought out professional care for her mother. Either situation would allow Alex to return as a consultant for a case.
4 Ellie Bishop
A Former MCRT Member That Left Without Saying Goodbye
Emily Wickersham's Ellie Bishop is arguably one of the most controversial characters on NCIS because of her exit. She was an important member of the MCRT for eight years and became close friends with all the NCIS characters during her time on the show. Her betrayal and subsequent departure meant she did not get to say goodbye to her team. While she got to share a brief moment with Torres before she left, the rest of her team was not met with the same circumstances.
Having her return to NCIS season 22 would give the entire team proper closure. As Dietzen revealed he will have a scene with NCIS' mystery guest, he and Ellie sharing a reunion on-screen would be the perfect touch to their past friendship. Given the guest's limited appearance, Ellie could also easily return without necessarily having to break the law and put the team in an uncomfortable position.
3 Jacqueline "Jack" Sloane
A Major Team Player For Multiple Seasons
Other than Ziva, Jack's return would be another amazing surprise. Jack was a main character for four seasons until the stress of her workload ultimately contributed to her decision to leave. Throughout her time on NCIS, Jack stood out because of her work as a forensic psychologist. Her contributions were instrumental in catching several criminals, but with there being new cases all the time, her decision to leave was more than understandable.
In NCIS season 18, Jack revealed she was leaving NCIS to continue the work of her late friend in Afghanistan. Her absence was immediately felt across the office in season 19, but her departure did leave the possibility for her return. While she mostly interacted with Gibbs during her time on the show, she also had great connections to the rest of the team. If NCIS season 22, episode 18, has some connection to Afghanistan, Jack could easily make a reappearance.
2 Abigail Borin
A Former MCRT Member Who Is Just Like Gibbs
Abigail Borin's return to NCIS would also be a pleasant surprise. Abigail was a special agent as well, but rather than being a part of NCIS, she was part of CGIS, the Coast Guard Investigative Service. Abigail appeared as a guest star throughout NCIS between seasons 7 and 12, with varying frequency. Her roles were especially entertaining because she was very similar to Gibbs, much to the amusement of the MCRT.
While Abigail has not appeared on NCIS in 10 years, she never officially left the show. In the NCIS universe, Abigail is still working as part of her role with the CGIS. As NCIS season 22 has not featured many guest stars outside the team's immediate caseload, Abigail could return if NCIS season 22, episode 18, features a case that relates to the Coast Guard. Abigail's character is also highly recognizable and a definite "fan-favorite" given her similarities to Gibbs, so her return would be more than welcomed.
1 Erica Jane "EJ" Barrett
A Former MCRT Member With A Painful History With Jimmy
Given the mystery guest's connection with Jimmy, one of the more interesting characters to return to NCIS season 22 would be EJ Barrett. EJ only appeared on NCIS for two seasons, in seasons 8 and 9, but she never officially left the show. EJ's appearances were largely connected to her romantic arc with Michael Weatherly's Tony DiNozzo. However, her interactions with the serial killer Jonas Cobb were also a significant aspect to her story.
Her departure had to do with the stress she endured in the NCIS season 8 finale when she and Jimmy were kidnapped by Cobb. She revealed in season 9 that she was going on a long vacation and has not returned since. However, her story's ambiguous ending means that she can still come back to NCIS. Her shared trauma with Jimmy also makes it plausible that she is the mystery character that will return in NCIS season 22, episode 18.
Source: Collider
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