On the cusp of 500 episodes, ‘NCIS’ continues to thrive with no signs of stopping

by

Fans of CBS’s “NCIS” are familiar with the show’s dedicated team of investigators tackling difficult crimes and taking down dangerous criminals. But even this experienced group might struggle to find a story worthy of celebrating the incredible achievement of making 500 episodes of television.

The team doesn’t have to worry about crafting a special 500th episode, as that task fell to Steven D. Binder, the showrunner and executive producer of “NCIS,” who also wrote Tuesday’s episode, “All Good Things,” directed by José Clemente Hernandez. He explains that he began brainstorming ideas as the 22nd season concluded last year, focusing on questions that would be meaningful to fans and fitting for such a milestone.

I can’t believe “NCIS” is reaching its 500th episode! That puts it among the very longest-running dramas on American prime-time TV, right up there with the “Law & Order” shows. But honestly, the story of how this show even got to this point is fascinating, and I think it’s worth remembering.

In April 2003, the TV show “JAG” introduced a new team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service in a special episode. This episode served as the first look at what would become a new series, led by the serious and direct Leroy Jethro Gibbs (played by Mark Harmon). Gibbs’ team included the quick-witted Anthony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly), the unique forensics expert Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette), and the lovable chief medical examiner Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard (David McCallum).

NCIS first aired on September 23, 2003, introducing viewers to characters like Gibbs, DiNozzo, Abby, Ducky, and special agent Caitlin Todd. While it didn’t immediately become a massive hit, its first season ranked 26th among all prime-time shows, which was enough to secure a second season and allow its audience to grow. By its third season, NCIS was consistently among the top 20 shows. It continued to climb in popularity, reaching the top five by season six, and ultimately becoming the most-watched broadcast series on television by season ten.

“NCIS” has become a massive success worldwide, reaching audiences in over 200 countries. It’s been translated into 35 languages with dubbed versions available in 12, making it the most-watched TV franchise globally when you add up all the viewing time.

As a big fan, I’ve watched this show expand in some really cool ways over the years! It’s gone beyond the original series with spin-offs set in cities like Los Angeles, New Orleans, and Hawaii. They even brought back Tony and Ziva, which was amazing! Right now, they’re showing a prequel called “NCIS: Origins” – it’s so interesting to see a young Gibbs (played by Austin Stowell, with Mark Harmon doing the voiceover) just starting out. And they’ve also gone international with “NCIS: Sydney,” which you can stream on Paramount+.

“NCIS” has clearly found a recipe for lasting success, and CBS Television Studios president David Stapf believes a key ingredient is its comforting familiarity. He explains that viewers appreciate knowing exactly what to expect, enjoying the show’s consistent quality, and the ability to watch it regularly – whether weekly or, with streaming, even daily.

I’ve always felt that a consistent schedule helps a show, and it’s pretty impressive that “NCIS” has aired on CBS Tuesdays at 8 p.m. for most of its run—only taking a break from 2021 to 2025. Amy Reisenbach, the president of CBS Entertainment, agrees with me to some extent. She believes viewers will find the show no matter what, whether they’re watching it live on TV or streaming it on Paramount+, where it consistently does really well.

It’s common for long-running TV shows to see cast members leave, and those changes can impact the show’s direction. However, “NCIS” has consistently overcome cast departures and maintained a loyal audience. A prime example is Mark Harmon’s decision to leave in 2021, with his character, Gibbs, choosing a quieter life in Alaska. Many viewers found it hard to imagine “NCIS” without Harmon—who still helps behind the scenes as an executive producer—leading to questions about the show’s future and the future of the entire franchise.

Losing Mark Harmon was understandably a bit worrying,” admits Reisenbach. “He’d been a core part of the show from the start and was so closely associated with it, but the fundamental spirit of the show hasn’t changed.

Stapf explains that when a show is successful, even small changes can be risky because the show’s magic comes from a unique combination of elements. He particularly praises the writers for creating well-developed new characters who add depth to the team, rather than simply being placeholders. As an example, when Mark Harmon’s Gibbs left, Gary Cole’s Alden Parker brought a distinctly different energy – a more relaxed leadership style and unusual interests, like discussing true crime and making cocktails in his online videos.

Review

‘NCIS: Tony & Ziva’ brings back two fan favorites, whose chemistry and romance remain

Beloved ‘NCIS’ stars Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo are back in a new series that takes the action overseas and has a bit more grit.

Gibbs remains a part of the show’s legacy, and his name still surfaces from time to time, like in the case for the 500th episode. However, developing that case was a challenge for writer Binder. He initially wanted a story that represented everything the show had been, but revisiting a case from the very first episode, “Yankee White,” for a 2024 milestone celebrating 1,000 episodes ruled that idea out. So, he decided to explore a case from the second episode instead.

The team confirmed a previous case connection this week, referencing an episode from 2003. They encounter Billy Fuentes (Austin Marques), a Marine’s son who, as a child, received a promise from Gibbs that NCIS would always help him if he needed it. Producer Binder noted they were even able to use the same actor for the role, which was a nice touch.

While the current storyline references past events and includes a few familiar nods, it’s not meant to be a simple trip down memory lane. According to Brian Dietzen, who’s played Dr. Jimmy Palmer since the beginning, this episode is a major turning point that will fundamentally alter the show’s direction for the rest of its run.

The latest storyline began at the end of last week’s episode when NCIS Director Leon Vance (Rocky Carroll) unexpectedly announced the agency was being shut down. This week’s episode continues that dramatic turn, putting the team’s future at risk and taking the show in a new direction. Showrunner Steven Binder says they wanted to shake things up a bit to add excitement, while executive producer David Dietzen explains they’re careful to keep the changes within the show’s overall style. Dietzen adds that while it’s challenging for the actors, it’s a welcome one.

One of the key things that has always made “NCIS” successful is that it’s not just about solving crimes each week. It focuses on the characters as well. Sean Murray, who has played Timothy McGee since the beginning, explains that shows like this weren’t common when “NCIS” first started. He points to the popularity of the backstory revealing McGee secretly wrote the “Deep Six” novels, which featured fictionalized, heroic versions of the NCIS team – for instance, a character similar to Gibbs but named Tibbs.

Gary Carroll, who has played Vance since the show’s fifth season, initially didn’t expect to be on “NCIS” for very long, as most TV shows don’t last as long as this one has. A big reason he joined was to work with Mark Harmon again – they’d previously collaborated on the CBS medical drama “Chicago Hope.” He remembers thinking he’d be lucky to get two or three seasons out of it, figuring the show was nearing its end. He says, with a laugh, that was 18 seasons ago!

The original cast of “JAG” has largely moved on, though some still make guest appearances. Now, the newer actors are the seasoned veterans. Wilmer Valderrama joined in Season 14 as Nick Torres, Diona Reasonover came on board as Kasie Hines in Season 15, and Katrina Law debuted as Jessica Knight at the end of Season 18.

Valderrama initially wasn’t sure about joining the show, wondering if he had anything new to offer. However, during his first meeting, he quickly understood that ‘NCIS’ successfully adapts and changes with the times to stay relevant for its viewers. He then saw a chance to bring something truly different to the series, exploring new creative avenues he hadn’t before.

Wilmer Valderrama, known for his role as Nick Torres on “NCIS,” became part of the cast starting with Season 14. (Photo: Robert Voets/CBS)

Diona Reasonover began playing Kasie Hines, a forensics scientist, on the TV show “NCIS” starting with Season 15. (Photo by Michael Yarish/CBS)

Taking over from beloved actress Pauley Perrette, who left after 15 seasons in 2018, was a challenge for Reasonover. Like her co-star, Diona Reasonover wasn’t sure how long the role of the upbeat and enthusiastic Kasie would last when she first started. She wondered if the show’s producers were simply testing out a temporary replacement for Abby’s forensic duties before finding someone else.

I was really glad to see that wasn’t true! And it’s awesome how “NCIS” seems to really get what’s happening in the world around us. Diona Reasonover, who plays Kasie, is proud that the show has included several LGBTQ+ characters, and I totally get why. It just feels authentic, and I think that’s what makes people connect with the show – it feels like real life.

Wilmer Valderrama was already a familiar face thanks to his popular role as Fez in “That ‘70s Show,” and he’s seen a shift in which character fans remember him for. Having filmed around 200 episodes of both “NCIS” and “That ‘70s Show,” he estimates that about 57% of people now recognize him as his “NCIS” character, Torres, though he still gets a lot of fans who fondly remember Fez, especially those who grew up watching the show.

With “NCIS” continuing to be popular and recently renewed for a 24th season – plus the additions of “Origins” and “Sydney” – fans are wondering if even more spin-off shows might be on the way.

According to Reisenbach, the show will likely continue because ‘NCIS’ has a strong track record and a dedicated fanbase who keep watching the new versions.

Read More

2026-03-24 13:37