After over two decades of solving high-stakes naval crimes, NCIS is gearing up for a transformative Season 23 — one that trades its traditional case-of-the-week format for something far more personal. Set to premiere in fall 2025, the long-running CBS hit is pivoting toward a character-first approach, offering fans the emotionally rich storytelling they’ve long requested.
A Bold New Direction: Characters Take Center Stage
Showrunner Steven D. Binder recently confirmed the change in tone, acknowledging that viewers have repeatedly voiced a desire for deeper character development — and this season, he’s listening.
“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,” Binder told TV Line. “So, if you’re invested in these people, this is going to be the season for you.”
Instead of spotlighting crime-solving, NCIS Season 23 will explore the emotional lives, personal struggles, and evolving relationships of the team. Each character will have space to grow, fail, reflect, and — for some — potentially break.
Parker’s Downward Spiral: Vengeance and Grief Collide
Perhaps the most intense arc belongs to Special Agent Alden Parker (Gary Cole), who enters Season 23 reeling from his father’s death. In the Season 22 finale, Parker faced his criminal nemesis, Carla Marino, only to discover his father dead — a shocking twist that will launch a season-long emotional reckoning.
“He’s not going to find his inner zen,” Binder told TV Insider. “He’s going to be destabilized and out for revenge and out for blood.”
This marks a major shift for Parker, who has often been the steady center of the team. His descent into emotional turmoil will create conflict not just within himself but also across the unit. Fans should prepare for a side of Parker that’s unpredictable, vengeful, and hauntingly human.
McGee Steps Back from Power
Timothy McGee (Sean Murray), often seen as a future leader, is reevaluating what he truly wants. While past seasons hinted at his ambitions for promotion, Season 23 will likely put those aspirations to rest.
“Even imagining the best version of McGee’s promotion… it’s not what he wants,” Binder said. “That’s not who he is.”
Instead of climbing the bureaucratic ladder, McGee may focus on more meaningful contributions — or perhaps wrestle with mid-career uncertainty in a way that resonates with long-time fans.
Knight and Palmer: A Romantic Reset?
As for Jessica Knight (Katrina Law) and Dr. Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen), the once-blossoming couple finds themselves navigating life post-breakup. But that doesn’t necessarily mean the door is closed forever.
“Could they end back together again? Absolutely,” Binder noted. “But for now, we broke them up to bring them to a new place.”
The intention here is clear: instead of rushing romance for the sake of fan service, the show is giving each character room to grow independently before any possible reconnection. Expect subtle emotional beats, awkward moments, and unresolved tension that may play out slowly over the season.
What About Torres and Kasie?
Binder hasn’t yet revealed concrete storylines for Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) or Kasie Hines (Diona Reasonover), but with the renewed character-first vision, fans can expect these team members to get their turn in the spotlight. Torres, with his troubled past and fiery nature, is especially ripe for a deeper emotional arc — and Kasie’s evolving role as a forensic expert and confidant could offer new perspectives on team dynamics.
Why Now?
The shift in storytelling comes as NCIS enters its 23rd season — a rare milestone in television. But rather than relying on nostalgia or familiar formulas, the show is challenging itself to evolve.
Binder and the creative team recognize that longevity in today’s TV landscape demands more than procedural consistency. It demands emotional stakes, character growth, and narrative evolution. That’s precisely what Season 23 aims to deliver.
A Season for the Fans
In many ways, this pivot is a love letter to the audience. NCIS has always enjoyed a dedicated fanbase that cares deeply not just about the mysteries, but about the people solving them. By spotlighting individual journeys, Season 23 promises to satisfy long-time viewers who’ve watched these agents grow, change, and carry emotional scars over the years.
While plot specifics remain under wraps, one thing is clear: Season 23 is not business as usual. It’s a deeper, more emotionally resonant chapter in the NCIS saga — one that asks, who are these agents when the badges come off and the crime tape clears?
And this fall, we’ll finally get the answers.
