'NCIS' season 17: Release date, plot, cast and everything you need to know about CBS' procedural crime drama show

CBS' procedural drama's season 16 finale ended with a surprise appearance from a fan-favorite character who was presumed to be dead. Season 17 will pick right up from the finale and is expected to explain her absence
UPDATED AUG 23, 2019

'NCIS', from CBS, follows a fictional set of Major Case Response Team special agents of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and is set in Washington DC. The show is CBS' longest-running show and will soon start its 17th season.

In the season 16 finale, investigator Leroy Gibbs, played by Mark Harmon, is haunted by the ghost of his wife, Diane Stirling. But as the episode came to a close, Gibbs is warned by Ziva David that his life is in danger in a surprise appearance from Cote de Pablo. Ziva is expected to appear in season 17 which was confirmed by CBS in April 2019.

Release Date

Season 17 is will premiere on CBS on September 24, 2019, at 8 PM ET.

Plot

Since it was stated in previous episodes that Ziva died in a mortar attack while living abroad, viewers can expect to learn more about Ziva's absence when 'NCIS' returns to television. The first episode of season 17 is set up to pick up where season 16 ended. It is possible viewers will see less of Gibbs this season as actor Mark Harmon wished to take time off to celebrate his 32nd wedding anniversary, according to Radar Online.

Cast

Mark Harmon

Mark Harmon attends the 2018 Stand Up To Cancer fundraising special telecast at Barker Hangar on September 7, 2018, in Santa Monica, California. (Getty Images)

Mark Harmon won an Emmy award for his role in 'The West Wing'.

Wilmer Valderrama

Wilmer Valderrama arrives at the 60th Annual Logie Awards at The Star Gold Coast on July 1, 2018, in Gold Coast, Australia. (Getty Images)

Wilmer Valderrama is best known for his role as Fez in 'That 70's Show'.

Maria Bello

Maria Bello attends ChefDance 2019 - Day 2 sponsored by Shiseido on January 26, 2019, in Park City, Utah. (Getty Images)

Maria Bello's acting credits include 'Coyote Ugly', 'ER' and 'Lights Out'.

Additionally, the show stars Sasha Alexander, Emily Wickersham, Sean Murray, Rocky Carroll, Brian Dietzen, David McCallum, and Diona Reasonover.

Creators

The show was created as a spinoff from 'JAG' by Donald P. Bellisario ('Magnum P.I.', 'Quantum Leap') and Don McGill('CSI', 'NUMB3RS').

If you like this, you'll love these:

'NCIS: LA'

'NCIS: New Orleans'

'Chicago P.D.'

'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit'

'Bones'

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