NCIS enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the return of the police drama for its 21st season. Despite several uncertainties surrounding the show in recent years, CBS officially gave the green light for a 21st season earlier this year. While NCIS: New Orleans concluded after seven seasons and NCIS: Los Angeles wrapped up its 14th season, NCIS: Hawaii injected new life into the NCIS universe. The island-set series will return for its third season, and a brand-new spin-off, NCIS: Sydney, is also on the horizon. The entire franchise now ranks as the third longest-running US primetime drama series in history, trailing only Law and Order and Law and Order: SVU.
So, when can fans in the UK expect to see NCIS return for Season 21? For much of 2023, Hollywood has been grappling with writers’ and actors’ strikes, causing disruptions in the production of series and films. This even delayed work on NCIS as staff fought for improved labor agreements. Thankfully, the Writers Guild of America’s strike concluded last month after negotiations. However, production on NCIS or any other show can only commence once the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike is resolved. The series was originally slated to return in the fall of 2023 in the United States, where NCIS originally premiered. However, it’s now more likely to make a return in early to mid-2024.
If the show follows its previous release schedule, UK viewers may have to wait until at least the summer of the following year to see new episodes, assuming NCIS premieres in the spring. Nevertheless, there won’t be any new content from the original NCIS series to anticipate in 2023. However, fans shouldn’t despair because the next spin-off is on the horizon. NCIS: Sydney is set to premiere on Paramount+ in the UK and CBS in the US next month. Although the rest of the series is available on Disney+, it remains to be seen if this spin-off will be added, as it’s the first international installment. NCIS: Sydney, set to premiere on November 10th, will feature Olivia Swann, Todd Lasance, Mavournee Hazel, and Tuuli Narkle.