NCIS Season 24: All the major characters leaving and returning to the hit crime drama

NCIS wrapped up its 23rd season on May 12, and viewers are already wondering which familiar faces will return when the show comes back. One actor who appears safe for next season is Gary Cole, who plays Supervisory Special Agent Alden Parker. Since joining the long-running CBS drama during Season 19 in 2021, Cole has become a central part of the series following Mark Harmon’s departure. His character has remained involved in major investigations and team storylines. Because of his ongoing role within the team, fans will most likely continue seeing Parker leading cases when NCIS returns for Season 24.

Sean Murray is another cast member fans can probably expect to see when NCIS returns. Murray has played Special Agent Timothy McGee for more than two decades, making him one of the franchise’s most familiar faces. He first appeared during Season 1 in 2003 as a recurring character before becoming a full-time series regular the following season. Over the years, McGee has grown from a nervous young agent into one of the team’s most trusted investigators and second-in-command. Since Murray has remained with NCIS through every season so far, there is little reason to think that streak will end anytime soon.

Wilmer Valderrama is also expected to remain part of NCIS moving forward. The actor has played Special Agent Nick Torres since joining the CBS drama in 2016 during the Season 14 premiere. Over the years, Torres has become an important member of the Major Case Response Team, often bringing action-heavy moments to the series. As of now, there have been no reports suggesting Valderrama plans to leave the long-running procedural. So, fans will most likely continue seeing Torres in Season 24.

Katrina Law appears likely to continue her run on NCIS next season. The actress first joined the CBS procedural in March 2021, appearing in the final episodes of Season 18 as Special Agent Jessica Knight. Initially introduced in a recurring role, Law became a bigger part of the series and was promoted to full-time cast status beginning with Season 19. Since then, Knight has been an important member of the Major Case Response Team. With no exit reports surrounding the actress, viewers will most probably see Jessica Knight return for another season.

Brian Dietzen is also expected to continue with NCIS next season as Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jimmy Palmer. Over the years, Palmer has become one of the show’s most dependable and warm-hearted characters. Dietzen first joined the series in 2004 during Season 1 and spent several years appearing in a recurring role before receiving a promotion to full-time cast member at the beginning of Season 10. Since then, he has remained an important part of the team and one of the franchise’s most recognizable faces. With no indication of an exit, fans will most likely continue seeing Dr. Palmer in future episodes.

Diona Reasonover is another familiar face viewers will most likely see again on NCIS as forensic specialist Kasie Hines. Since arriving on the CBS procedural during Season 15 in 2018, Kasie has become an important part of the investigative team, often handling the lab work that helps crack major cases. Reasonover first appeared as a guest star before earning a promotion to full-time cast member at the start of Season 16. With no reports suggesting an exit, fans will most probably continue seeing Kasie Hines in upcoming episodes.

Rocky Carroll will not return as NCIS Director Leon Vance in Season 24 of NCIS following the character’s death in the 500th episode. Producers made the move as part of a big creative twist for the special installment. In the storyline, Vance sacrifices himself while exposing a dangerous plot targeting the agency. Carroll first joined NCIS during Season 5 in 2008 and remained a key presence for years. While Leon Vance is not expected to appear moving forward outside possible flashback scenes, Carroll will still stay connected to the franchise by directing several upcoming episodes. So far, CBS has not revealed who will step into the director role next season.