'NCIS' faces an unexpected delay as CBS quietly reworks its primetime plans
The wait for the 'NCIS' franchise's return just got longer. CBS had initially planned to release 'NCIS', 'NCIS: Origins', and 'NCIS: Sydney' in February. However, in an unexpected turn of events, the release dates were pushed to March, and President Donald Trump is reportedly linked to the delay.
As per reports, CBS has delayed the return of 'NCIS,' 'NCIS: Origins,' and 'NCIS: Sydney' by a week due to President Trump's State of the Union address on Saturday, February 24, with all three series now set to return on Tuesday, March 3, as per Geek Sided. The delay extends the shows' hiatus to over 10 weeks, frustrating fans. Moreover, 'NCIS: Sydney' viewers were hit hardest due to a 12-week gap after its fall finale was pulled at the last minute, a decision later confirmed to be linked to the Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney.
Once the 'NCIS' series returns on Tuesday, March 3, CBS is expected to air the remaining episodes with minimal breaks, allowing the shows to run consistently through their likely mid-to-late May finales. While waiting, fans can stream current seasons of all three 'NCIS' shows on Paramount+, giving them extra time to catch up or rewatch episodes before new ones return. Not only that, but 'NCIS' Season 23 also breaks a long-standing rule for the first time since its 2003 debut, signaling a new creative identity as the series delivers strong storylines midway through the 2025–2026 season.
'NCIS' season 23 quietly confirms the potential romance between Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) and Jessica Knight (Katrina Law), adding a new twist to the show's tradition of slow-burn workplace relationships. It complicates Knight's growing romance with Torres by revisiting her past relationship with Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen), setting up the show's first love triangle, one that breaks the long-standing rule of keeping the MCRT united, as per ScreenRant. Although the love triangle is personal and work remains the priority, the storyline could still affect how the MCRT functions, with its impact on team unity yet to be seen.
The romantic storyline in 'NCIS' Season 23 is especially complex because all three characters involved, Torres, Palmer, and Knight, are long-standing fan favorites, making it difficult for viewers to root for one pairing over another clearly. Palmer represents familiarity and emotional history, and many fans still feel their breakup was unnecessary, while Torres brings a fresh, intriguing dynamic that opens the door to new storytelling possibilities. From a narrative standpoint, both relationships offer distinct emotional stakes, which is why the tension feels so compelling rather than forced.
Adding another layer of complication is the return of Ellie Bishop (Emily Wickersham) in the season 23 fall finale. As Torres's last serious romantic connection, even though they never officially dated, Bishop's reappearance is bound to resurface unresolved emotions. Her presence could challenge Torres' readiness to pursue something new with Knight and further complicate an already delicate situation, setting the stage for heightened emotional conflict when the series resumes.
