‘NCIS’ fans, there’s disappointing news as Season 23 will not return with new episodes anytime soon
Bad news for 'NCIS' fans as Season 23 will not be returning with new episodes in January 2026. Episode 9, which aired on Tuesday, December 16, ended on a major cliffhanger as Leon Vance (Rocky Carroll) assigns Jessica Knight (Katrina Law) her first elite mission, and that is to find former NCIS agent Eleanor 'Ellie' Bishop (Emily Wickersham), now a wanted fugitive. While fans were eagerly waiting to see how the story would unfold next, the series will not return in January as widely believed. Instead, 'NCIS' Season 23 is set to resume in February 2026, and the reason for this delay does make sense.
Typically, networks like NBC, ABC, and FOX bring back their shows at the start of the year, but CBS has decided to delay the return of NCIS until Tuesday, February 24, 2026, when the full Tuesday lineup will resume, as per Geek Sided. The reason for this delay is strategic as the Winter Olympics take place in February, and airing new episodes during the Games would mean competing against one of the world's biggest sporting events, which could significantly reduce viewership.
By waiting until after the Olympics, CBS ensures that 'NCIS' can return without interruptions or consistency problems, giving the audience a smoother and more cohesive viewing experience. This also helps maintain momentum for the mid-season storylines. This approach also avoids the 'on-off' pattern other networks face and ensures smoother storytelling. When the show resumes, the plot will focus on Bishop, who is now dealing with the consequences of her involvement with Ziva David's (Cote de Pablo) former handler, staying one step ahead of the team as tensions build, as per ScreenRant.
In 'NCIS' Season 23, Episode 8, Knight and Nick Torres' (Wilmer Valderrama) potential romance is formally acknowledged when Dr. Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen) realizes his own feelings, while the episode balances a classic procedural tone with a creative case and character-focused moments.
The season also introduces its first fully established love triangle involving Palmer, Knight, and Torres, marking one of the most complex personal storylines in the series. Palmer's recent realisations will inevitably affect his actions, creating tension within the team, while the show experiments with deeper character-driven drama without undermining its procedural roots. Written by veteran 'NCIS' producer Jesse Stern, known for writing some of the show's iconic episodes, it also includes a brief, intriguing moment from Director Vance, highlighting timing and character dynamics.
