When Will ‘NCIS’ Return To CBS Now That Writers Are Headed Back?

NCIS Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Now that the WGA strike is settled, and SAG-AFTRA should soon be following suit, when should NCIS be back on television? Already, there is some action on production. Also, how many episodes could they make as they are starting much later?

In addition, what sorts of stories should fans expect? Will they find a way to honor David McCallum who died last Monday?

Here is the latest news on NCIS Season 21.

NCIS Pictured: Rocky Carroll as NCIS Director Leon Vance and Gary Cole as FBI Special Agent Alden Parker. Photo: CBS ©2023 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
NCIS Pictured: Rocky Carroll as NCIS Director Leon Vance and Gary Cole as FBI Special Agent Alden Parker. Photo: CBS ©2023 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

NCIS Writers Headed Back Soon

Fans have been waiting a long time, but NCIS Season 21 is finally starting to see some action. According to Deadline, the writers are gathering in their writer’s room early this week. Moreover, this will not be an easy task for these writers due to the shortened season.

Many experts predict a 13-episode season will be salvaged for most series. That means their initial story plans may need to change. Also, these episodes will not begin to air until sometime in early 2024. They have to be great for fans to return.

Where did the series leave off at the end of Season 21? Firstly, Season 20 left off with Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) ready to kill his stepfather. Fans have never seen the renegade agent this angry before. This cliffhanger cries for resolution early on in Season 21.

On a lighter note, Jimmy (Brian Dietzen) and Jess (Katrina Law) have declared their love. What is next for these two lovebirds?

However, some recent developments may derail some intended Season 21 storytelling.

NCIS Pictured: David McCallum as Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard. Photo: Michael Yarish/CBS ©2023 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
NCIS Pictured: David McCallum as Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard. Photo: Michael Yarish/CBS ©2023 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

How Will NCIS Honor Ducky?

Last week, NCIS mourned the death of David McCallum, who played the delightful Dr. Donald Mallard. It seems inevitable that Ducky’s death will be the most important and most prominent storyline at the start of Season 21.

Also, this could mean some absent agents could return. Could Ducky’s death mean that Gibbs (Mark Harmon) will come out of retirement? There have been all sorts of rumors that Mark was already returning this season, even as a guest appearance. While these rumors are always crowd pleasers, it is unlikely that they are nothing more than rumors, as actors have been on strike since July.

But if there is a good reason for Mark Harmon to return, this would be a big one.

NCIS Pictured: Mark Harmon as Jethro Gibbs. Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2016 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved
NCIS Pictured: Mark Harmon as Jethro Gibbs. Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2016 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved

NCIS fans Want Michael Weatherly Back

The other NCIS Season 21 question is whether Michael Weatherly (DiNozzo) will return. He took time off now that BULL is done. But, could he have enough time and reason for his return as well?

The question is that since the season will be shortened, the writers do not have over 20 episodes to tell a thrilling story worthy of Weatherly’s return.

NCIS Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS©2016 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved
NCIS Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2016 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved

NCIS fans, what do you want to see happen in Season 21? What do you think CBS should do to honor David McCallum?

Georgia Makitalo

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