NCIS season 21 release updates, strike delay, and everything we know
NCIS finished up a successful season 20 with a twist that we did not see coming. After the episode concludes a storyline involving a possible terrorist attack that would be taking place, a character made a possible fateful decision. Once the culprits were found, it did seem like things were settling down, until a surprise twist involving Nick Torres left us with burning questions. What can we expect from NCIS season 21? Hopefully, we won’t be waiting too long to find out.
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
According to Deadline, writers’ rooms for shows like NCIS, Grey’s Anatomy, Fire Country, and others, are starting back up now that the writers’ strike is over. We haven’t seen any updates from the writers of NCIS yet, although sources say they are currently working on the scripts as of early October. We’ll be sure to update this post if we get photos or other updates from the writers’ room.
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 mother’s past. In fact, he got to know an inmate who said he was his mother’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 explained delays
Although CBS initially included NCIS in its usual Monday night lineup slot for the fall 2023-2024 television season, they’ve since revised their plans. And that’s because of the writers’ and actors’ strikes.
In case you haven’t been keeping up with the latest from the entertainment industry, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) went on strike in early May after not being able to come to an agreement on their contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). That means that writers’ rooms have been put on pause and writers cannot work on projects under the AMPTP.
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, highlighting 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 has been meeting with the AMPTP this month and their negotiations are scheduled to continue. It’s been taking a little while, but of course, this agreement is very important to everyone involved. The latest update we’ve gotten from Variety says SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP will meet on Friday, October. 6, as well as Monday, October. 9. This news came from a joint statement from the two parties. Hopefully, they’ll work out a deal in the coming weeks.
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.
Make sure to keep an eye on Hidden Remote for updates as they come. And of course, you can catch up on episodes of NCIS season 20 on Paramount+.
