Season 20 of NCIS came to a fantastic conclusion with a surprise turn. A character may have taken a disastrous decision once the episode’s storyline about a potential terrorist strike came to an end. Things appeared to be calming down when the offenders were identified, but then a shocking twist involving Nick Torres left us with unanswered questions. What can we anticipate from season 21 of NCIS? Hopefully, we won’t have to wait too long to learn the answer.
Unfortunately, NCIS season 21 is absent from the fall TV lineup this year, as are many other shows we expected to come back. That’s because of the writers’ and actors’ strikes, but it’s not all bad news. The writers’ strike has officially ended, and we have exciting news to share with fans of the show!
NCIS season 21 is now being written
Deadline reports that now that the writers’ strike is ended, the writers’ rooms for shows including NCIS, Grey’s Anatomy, Fire Country, and others are reopening. Although sources claim that the NCIS writers are presently working on the scripts as of early October, we haven’t seen any updates from them yet. If we receive images or other updates from the writers’ room, we’ll make sure to update this article.
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.
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.
Who’s returning for the new season of NCIS?
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
Gary Cole as Agent Alden Parker
Sadly, David McCallum, who portrayed Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard, passed away on Sept. 25, 2023, from natural causes at the age of 90. NCIS actors Mark Harmon, Michael Weatherly, Pauley Perrette, and Wilder Valderrama all shared heartfelt tributes to the actor, with Valderrama calling it “an immense honor it was to share the screen” with him.
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? 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.
Writers’ and actors’ strike delays explained
Although CBS originally planned to air NCIS on Monday nights during the fall 2023–2024 television season, they later changed their minds. And the strikes by actors and writers are to blame. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) went on strike in early May after failing to reach a deal on their contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), in case you haven’t been keeping up with the latest from the entertainment business. This means that writers’ rooms have been suspended and they are unable to work on AMPTP-related projects.
After that, the actors went on strike after facing a similar dilemma in July, 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.
In September, it was announced that the WGA had voted to end the strike, meaning writers’ rooms can get back to business! This includes NCIS season 21, which is now being written. Now, we just need the SAG strike to end so the actors can get to filming.
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.
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’re experiencing 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 SAG strike now. We’re crossing our fingers that the AMPTP decides to compromise with the actors and they can begin working again.
The good news is that SAG and the AMPTP have been meeting this month and that their talks are expected to continue. Although it has taken some time, everyone involved views this agreement as being of utmost importance. According to Variety’s most recent update, SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP will meet on Friday, October 6, and Monday, October 9. A joint statement from the two sides revealed this information. In the upcoming weeks, hopefully, they can come to an agreement.
Once the actors’ strike is over, NCIS season 21 can begin filming, as long as the writers are ready with scripts. We’re really hoping the show will return in early 2024, though that’s just us speculating right now. It’s definitely possible at this time.
If you’re missing the series and want to watch old episodes in the meantime, CBS is currently airing reruns of NCIS on Monday nights instead of new episodes.
