After the resolution of the SAG-AFTRA strike, NCIS star Brian Dietzen expressed his joy and anticipation about returning to the set of the long-standing CBS drama for its upcoming 21st season. Taking to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Dietzen retweeted SAG-AFTRA’s announcement of the strike’s end, stating, “Couldn’t be happier! Can’t wait to get back to work!”
Fans were thrilled by the news, and one fan expressed a hope for a tribute to the late David McCallum, who portrayed Chief Medical Examiner Donald ‘Ducky’ Mallard and passed away in September. Dietzen responded with a revealing tidbit about the new season, confirming, “There will be.” McCallum’s death prompted heartfelt tributes from the NCIS cast, with Dietzen referring to him as a “mentor” and “great scene partner.”
The SAG-AFTRA strike, which disrupted production for four months, officially concluded recently after the union reached a tentative deal with Hollywood studios. With the strike’s end, US actors, including the NCIS cast, are expected to resume work. However, there is speculation about the potential impact on the length of the upcoming season. A shorter 13-episode season is a possibility, given that the writer’s strike concluded in September, allowing showrunners to return to the writing rooms.
While the traditional fall-to-May broadcast season might be disrupted, the exact release timeline for NCIS is yet to be announced. CBS has not confirmed whether the new episodes will arrive in the spring or fall of 2024. Fans eagerly await further updates on the return of the beloved series and the promised tribute to David McCallum in the upcoming season.