NCIS Season 24: Cast, Plot & Where to Watch
Curious if NCIS still holds up after two decades? Here's a full breakdown of its cast, plot arcs, and where you can stream every season today.
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NCIS Season 24: Release Date, Cast & What to Expect
NCIS originally aired on September 23, 2003. To be honest, I really didn't expect a network procedural to last this long without becoming completely stale by now. With a 7.6/10 rating by thousands of people on TMDB, it's clear that this is one of those shows that just refuses to die and I can see why.
In case you've been off the grid for a few seasons, or you've been a long-time viewer trying to catch up, I understand. This franchise has more pieces than most soap operas right now. What I will do here is take you through the cast right now, the show's recent happenings, where you can find it to watch, and if it has been worth your time so far in 2026.
What Is NCIS Actually About?
NCIS centers on the lives of a team of special agents who investigate crimes related to the Navy and Marines, and that is a far more inclusive premise than it sounds. The show's premise is summed up nicely in the official synopsis: "From murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines, a team of special agents investigates any crime that has any relation to Navy and Marine Corps personnel, regardless of rank or position."
That is an incredibly broad scope, and it is what allows the show to have a seemingly never-ending supply of plot material. One week it will be a murdered sailor, and the next it will be a cyber-terrorism conspiracy.
It keeps coming back with something new each season, but at the same time, it's the same show we watched two decades ago; maintaining that balance can be difficult, and many procedural shows have failed to do so after 10+ seasons. What keeps it anchored is the crime, drama, and action mix; it's never a straight-up whodunit, but it's also never a straight-up action show, so it lives in the middle ground, which is likely a big part of why it has gained such a huge, devoted audience. You can see elements of the original tone in the newer episodes, as well as in the older ones, with directors like Don McGill and Donald P.
Bellisario.
Who's In The NCIS Cast Right Now?
Season current cast: Sean Murray as Timothy McGee, Wilmer Valderrama as Nick Torres, Katrina Law as Jessica Knight, Brian Dietzen as Jimmy Palmer, Diona Reasonover as Kasie Hines, Gary Cole as Alden Parker, Michael Weatherly as Anthony DiNozzo. Quite a mix of old school and new school characters there.
Murray's McGee has been this show's emotional core for a long time now. He's got so many years in the cast that he feels like an old pal who still hasn't moved on to something bigger after twenty years.
When Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) entered, he ran hot and was a lot more physical than we'd seen prior, more impulsive and rough than even most of the other agents. Katrina Law's Jessica Knight has become a fairly interesting figure of late, and I do like how her storylines have played out.
The Returning Faces
Michael Weatherly's Anthony DiNozzo is one of the most loved characters in the history of the franchise, and that still is felt by die-hard fans today. Brian Dietzen (Jimmy Palmer) has grown into one of the most steady and reliable actors on the show, and Diona Reasonover's (Kasie Hines) snarkier, more up-to-date tone brings a much-needed energy to the lab scenes. Gary Cole (Alden Parker) finishes the team of characters with a more stabilizing feel of quiet leadership.
To be honest, it's the chemistry of this group of characters that keeps the show working.
Is NCIS Still Worth Watching In 2026?
Yes, still worth watching. It kind of falls in the middle when it comes to procedural crime shows that have great stakes attached. It isn't trying to be a prestige or quality drama, and that actually is part of its appeal.
Having gone back and rewatched the earlier seasons over the years, it can still stand beside flashier modern crime shows. It doesn't rely on shock factor every episode; it actually relies on the characters, and that's a strength not as many shows can really rely on.
This might sound repetitive, but it's the same reasoning why shows like Law & Order survive for so long. It's comforting to know you don't have to look far and you know exactly what you are getting.
But the newer cast members like Katrina Law and Gary Cole have really added a true new voice in tone without undoing what the rest of the seasons have done. It takes a skill, and most of the writers pull it off. If you enjoy solid character-driven procedurals, our Entertainment Guide has plenty of other recommendations worth exploring.
It's not the best, some seasons drag, and others just reiterate the plot lines we've seen too much of, but few shows feel as comforting as this.
Where Can You Stream NCIS?
Stream NCIS on Netflix, Hulu, fuboTV, and Paramount Plus Premium. That's a fairly accommodating spread of options, so you should have no trouble watching it no matter which of these services you already use. Paramount Plus Premium tends to be the most comprehensive subscription since it's the network's own platform, and it generally has the most extensive archive. If you're weighing your options, it's worth checking Tvguide before committing to a plan.
Netflix and Hulu swap in and out of their collections at times.
On the other hand, fuboTV is also a good option if you're looking for live sports and news as you binge on your favorite crime show. It differs from Netflix and Hulu in that it offers live TV streams. However, it still provides access to the show in question.
Here's a quick overview of where it currently stands:
| Platform | Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Paramount Plus Premium | Subscription streaming | Full back catalog access |
| Netflix | Subscription streaming | Casual binge watching |
| Hulu | Subscription streaming | General library access |
| fuboTV | Live TV streaming | Live viewing plus sports |
My honest opinion?
If you want to start with season one, the key is Paramount Plus Premium. It caters to content by the network itself, so you shouldn't face many continuity hiccups.
Key Facts at a Glance
- NCIS premiered on September 23, 2003, and has aired over 20 seasons to date.
- The show holds a 7.6/10 rating on TMDB from thousands of viewer scores.
- NCIS covers cases involving Navy and Marine Corps personnel, from murder to cyberterrorism.
- Current cast highlights include Sean Murray, Gary Cole, Katrina Law, and Wilmer Valderrama.
- You can stream NCIS on Paramount Plus Premium, Netflix, Hulu, and fuboTV in 2026.
- The franchise has spawned multiple spinoffs, but the original series remains the flagship entry.
How Does NCIS Compare To Its Spinoffs?
The original still is the flagship of the franchise, and I think overall, still the best in comparison to the spinoffs. Shows like NCIS: Los Angeles and NCIS: New Orleans bring their own back stories and brand of humor, but neither quite measures up to the original's balance of comedy with seriousness.
What makes the original stand out is the cast overlap. Characters such as McGee have been around long enough that you can really appreciate the depth of their back story. The spinoffs have yet to reach that sort of longevity before networks pulled the plug on them.
Let me just put it this way. If you are seeking action at a breakneck pace with a crisper visual presentation, spinoffs can provide you with such entertainment. But if you crave emotional investment created by 20 years of character development, the original remains untouchable.
I'd suggest beginning with the original before expanding into the spinoffs, just because there is so much crossover with characters and story arcs. It tends to just make more logical sense. Fans of serialized crime drama might also enjoy The Five, another compelling series worth adding to your watchlist.
Why Has NCIS Lasted This Long?
It has endured this long because it juggles the weekly crime tales with overarching character stories better than most procedurals, and that formula appeals to different audiences. The approach keeps the mass audiences hooked while offering enough depth to earn our participation and encourage us to follow every detail of everyone else's character journey. I never thought I'd be still watching this show years later, but the writing and plotting is always fresh and there's plenty of variation in plot theme whether it's spying, cyberterrorists, or the sheer nitty gritty of a submarine appearing out of nowhere.
The other part of the equation is trust. The audience trusts the series to give a good, whole story most weeks without a five season build-up (which we seem to have now come to demand in serialized TV) and in this age of long, serialized dramas requiring our unequivocal allegiance that's a rarity. To me, NCIS still reigns supreme as the most dependable procedural on TV today and that's no fluke; it's a consequence of universally good casting choices and a little reinvention every year to keep it fresh. If you're browsing for something similar, Decider's streaming guides are a handy place to find your next watch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the longest cast member of NCIS?
Sean Murray is one of the longest performing cast members of the series, having been cast from the first few seasons and remaining a cast member ever since.
How old was Mark Harmon in season 1 of NCIS?
Mark Harmon was in his early fifties when NCIS first aired (b. 1951). His experience and maturity seemed to emanate from his portrayal of Gibbs and was apparent from the very beginning of the show.
How many seasons of NCIS have been made since it first premiered in 2003?
NCIS has aired more than 20 seasons since debuting in 2003. The show is one of the longest running scripted dramas on television. It is still recording new seasons and has no intention of stopping any time soon.
Who were the original cast members of NCIS when it debuted in 2003?
In the first NCIS cast, Mark Harmon played Gibbs, while Michael Weatherly and Sean Murray played Anthony DiNozzo and Timothy McGee respectively. Both Weatherly and Murray still remain closely associated with the series, especially Murray who continues on today.
NCIS isn't leaving anytime soon, and frankly, that is a good thing for fans who have been sticking around this long. If you're just trying to revisit all your favorite seasons, or you're finally tuning in, there's a reason the show has lasted this long. Turn on Paramount Plus or Netflix, get ready to press play, and discover why it still remains a long-running favorite even today.