NCIS finished up a successful season 20 with a twist that we did not see coming. After the episode concluded a storyline involving a possible terrorist attack that would be taking place, a character made a possible fateful decision. Once the culprits were found, it did seem like things were settling down, until a surprise twist involving Nick Torres left us with burning questions. What can we expect from NCIS season 21? Hopefully, we won’t be waiting too long to find out.
The beloved police procedural drama NCIS debuted back in 2003 and has been capturing audiences worldwide ever since with its gripping storylines, compelling characters, and easy-to-count-on entertainment. Over the years we’ve seen numerous character deaths and exits along with new plot points and dilemmas, but the one constant is how much we can rely on NCIS to be nothing short of enjoyable.
Now, 20 seasons later, we’re all looking forward to NCIS season 21. Here’s everything we know about the upcoming installment so far!
NCIS season 21 is definitely happening
Fans of the long-running drama were not kept waiting for a renewal announcement, as NCIS season 21 was officially announced in Feb. 2023, months before season 20 came to a close. If you follow the TV franchise, you’ll be happy to know that NCIS: Hawai’i was also renewed at the same time, with fans eagerly awaiting news on the third season of the spinoff.
NCIS season 21 cast
As of right now, it looks like we are set to see the main cast return. Whether or not Wilmer Valderrama will return for good is up in the air considering how his character’s arc left on a cliffhanger. But we are confident that we will see the main cast return, which consists of:
- Rocky Carroll as Director Leon Vance
- Sean Murray as Agent Timothy McGee
- Wilmer Valderrama as Agent Nick Torress
- Katrina Law as Agent Jessica Knight
- Diona Reasonover as Kasie Hines
- David McCallum as Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard
- Gary Cole as Agent Alden Parker
NCIS season 20 ending explained
In the NCIS season 20 finale, Nick was undercover during the case to find out more about the terror attack. While there, he saw a familiar face but it was not someone he wanted to recognize. The person in question apparently was someone he knew from his mom’s past. In fact, he got to know an inmate who said he was his mom’s boyfriend and was supposed to help with legal fees.
At the end of the episode, Nick was at the man’s house holding a gun and telling him he wanted him dead. Could this mean trouble for Nick Torres and Wilmer Valderrama’s time on the drama?
What’s next in NCIS season 21?
While we know the series will likely follow the same usual pattern of us seeing the agents solving individual cases, we know there is always an overarching theme at play. Whether or not this will involve Torres is unknown. However, since it looks like this is more of a personal arc, we may find out closer to airdate what is in store for the series as a whole.
Will the writers’ and actors’ strikes delay NCIS season 21?
Although CBS initially included NCIS in its usual Monday night lineup slot for the fall 2023-2024 television season, they’ve since revised their plans. And that’s because of the ongoing writers’ and actors’ strikes.
In case you haven’t been keeping up with the latest from the entertainment industry, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) has been on strike since early May after not being able to come to an agreement on their contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). That means that writers’ rooms have been put on pause and writers cannot work on projects under the AMPTP.
More recently, the actors have gone on strike after facing a similar dilemma, with the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) not being able to come to an agreement on their contract with the AMPTP either.
So what does that all mean for shows like NCIS? Well, writers and actors under their respective U.S. unions cannot legally work with the AMPTP while the strikes are going on. So although CBS had hoped they’d be able to write and start filming NCIS season 21 in time for the fall season, that’s just not the case. Long story short, the next installment of the police drama is delayed because of the strikes.
Actor Brian Dietzen shared a series of photos from a vacation to Greece in early July, noting that it would be time to get back to work “eventually.” But until the SAG-AFTRA strike is over, you can catch him “on the picket lines.” Several NCIS actors have shared photos rallying with strike signs this summer.
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Does NCIS season 21 have a release date?
Unfortunately, NCIS season 21 does not have a premiere date yet, but we know it won’t be coming out in 2023. For the first time in 20 years, we’ll have a fall without new episodes of the beloved drama. While we know the new season will be premiering in 2024, we can’t say what month it’ll be. It’s all dependent on the strikes. We’re crossing our fingers that the AMPTP decides to compromise with the writers and actors and they can begin working again. But of course, we don’t have a timeline for that.
According to the updated CBS fall 2023-2024 schedule, the network will air reruns of NCIS on Monday nights instead of new episodes.
Make sure to keep an eye on Hidden Remote for updates as they come. For now, you can catch up on the previous episodes of NCIS season 20 on Paramount+.
