NCIS fans eager for Season 21 will have to exercise patience due to strike-related delays. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike in May 2023, followed by the SAG-AFTRA strike in July 2023, has caused a halt in production, meaning there will be no new episodes for the upcoming season until at least 2024.
As of now, the exact debut date remains uncertain, contingent on when writers and actors return to work. The season was originally slated to begin in the fall of 2023, but the strikes prevented that. Reruns may air during the fall, but fresh episodes will have to wait.
The typical NCIS season consists of approximately 20 episodes, but this season will likely see a reduced number due to the strike delays. CBS would prefer not to extend major shows into the summer months, so the episode count will depend on how long the strike-related delays persist. As it stands, if production restarts by Labor Day Weekend, they may be able to add 13 episodes to the broadcast season, with more to follow as the situation progresses.
Regarding the cast, no confirmed exits have been announced for this season, and most of the primary characters are expected to return. However, David McCallum, who plays Ducky, is likely to make sporadic appearances as he continues to reduce his acting commitments. The following key characters are anticipated to return:
- Gary Cole as NCIS Supervisory Special Agent Alden Parker
- Sean Murray as NCIS Senior Field Agent Timothy McGee
- Wilmer Valderrama as NCIS Special Agent Nicholas Torres
- Katrina Law as NCIS Special Agent Jessica Knight
- Diona Reasonover as NCIS Forensic Specialist Kasie Hines
- Brian Dietzen as Dr. Jimmy Palmer
- Rocky Carroll as NCIS Director Leon Vance
Fans also hope to see Joe Spano reprise his role as former FBI Agent Fornell, even if only for a few guest appearances.
As for the storyline of Season 21, the lack of updates from the writers makes it challenging to predict. However, viewers can gain some insight from the previous season’s finale. Nick Torres found himself in a precarious situation, facing someone who knows about his past and his family. The season ended with Torres contemplating taking a life, a decision that could jeopardize his entire career and freedom. The mysteries surrounding his past and his potential actions are sure to be explored in the upcoming season.