Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET, CBS will show the midseason premiere of NCIS Season 23. A new case, a guest star, and rumors of old faces coming back are all signs of big changes to come.
Things aren’t clear for McGee in the future, and Gibbs is back in the conversation. Here’s everything you need to know about the midseason premiere of NCIS Season 23 if you want to know what’s next for the team.
What Can We Expect From The NCIS Season 23 Midseason Premiere?
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The second half of NCIS Season 23 starts on CBS on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 9 PM ET. This episode, called “Baker’s Man,” is about a personal case for Parker that is linked to bigger military threats. This return episode has a guest star and big twists that will test the NCIS team like never before.
Parker Faces a New Threat Linked to His Past
In a dangerous case involving his mother, Special Agent Alden Parker (Gary Cole) becomes the main character. A beloved baker’s blackmail brings up painful memories and makes an old family wound worse.
- Emotional twist: Parker revisits trauma from his father’s murder.
- New suspect: The baker, connected to Parker’s mother, becomes a key figure in a growing investigation.
- Bigger danger: The team must stop the case from leading to deadly consequences.
A Petty Officer’s Death Uncovers Military Secrets
At first, the death of a petty officer seems like a normal murder case, but soon more is revealed. The NCIS team finds links between the death of a naval officer and a major threat to national security.
- Military link: The death is tied to a secret involving stolen classified documents.
- High-stakes crime: Evidence points to a wider network leaking Navy intel.
- Core mission: The Naval Criminal Investigative Service must stop the breach before more is lost.
Who’s In The NCIS Season 23 Cast?
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For the midseason premiere, the main cast is back, and a strong guest star is also there. As familiar characters continue their stories, fans are getting more and more excited about when legacy characters will show up again.
Core Cast Returns With A New Guest Star
Sean Murray, Wilmer Valderrama, Katrina Law, and Rocky Carroll are all back in NCIS, making the cast strong. Melina Kanakaredes plays a baker who gets caught up in a dangerous case in this episode.
- Sean Murray: McGee continues balancing field work and his Deep Six crime series.
- Wilmer Valderrama: Torres gets caught between loyalty and risk.
- Katrina Law: Knight moves deeper into NCIS Elite operations.
- Melina Kanakaredes: Plays a baker tied to Parker’s mother and the blackmail plot.
Legacy Characters and Behind-the-Scenes Tributes
The show keeps remembering the past even though the actors are looking ahead. Possible future returns are hinted at by a crossover and character nods.
- Mark Harmon: Briefly returned as Leroy Jethro Gibbs during the NCIS: Origins crossover.
- Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo: Long-time fans hope to see Tony and Ziva again.
- David McCallum tribute: The late actor’s legacy is honored as the team reflects on his character’s impact and service.
Why Is McGee Leaving NCIS?
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McGee’s part in Season 23 shows that things have changed. In Episode 6, McGee is kidnapped while on a book tour, which makes him really think about what he wants to do with his life after NCIS. His writing success and changes at work are making him think about what he wants to do with his life.
McGee’s Career As A Writer Opens New Doors
Tim McGee, who is played by Sean Murray, writes the Deep Six crime series. His growing success as a writer and the stress of his family make him think about how long he’ll stay with NCIS.
- Creative success: His books are popular and give him new purpose.
- Family goals: His wife Delilah wants him to have safer, regular hours.
- Career roadblock: He was passed over for a promotion to Deputy Director.
Is Curtis Hubley McGee’s Replacement?
McGee’s replacement could be Curtis Hubley, who works as a tech expert in the basement. Over time, the NCIS team has grown to trust him and learn more about him.
- Tech talent: Hubley mirrors McGee’s early role with his skills.
- Big ambition: He openly wants to become a probationary agent.
- Foreshadowing: Writers hint he could be the next long-term team member.
Is Agent Gibbs Coming Back To NCIS?
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Mark Harmon played Leroy Jethro Gibbs, who showed up out of the blue in the NCIS: Origins crossover. Fans were excited about the cameo, even though it wasn’t part of the main show’s schedule. It gave them hope that Gibbs might come back full-time. His return is linked to a serious case from the past, which could pave the way for more.
Gibbs’ Crossover Sparks Speculation
Gibbs was involved in a case that linked to the naval officer’s death to things that happened in the early 1990s. Harmon’s return suggests that his story may not be over, even though the story was mostly about a younger version of him.
- Case connection: The crossover involved a petty officer’s death linked to stolen intel.
- Underworld ties: The investigation hinted at links to mob boss Carla Marino, adding tension.
- Military roots: The episode revisited Gibbs’ marine corps ties, pulling in emotional layers.
Will Mark Harmon Return Again?
There hasn’t been any official word yet, but a number of experienced producers and directors say that more may be planned. The show’s creators know that fans want to know what’s going on.
- Legacy team: Showrunners like Shane Brennan, Bethany Rooney, and Diana Valentine helped shape past Gibbs arcs.
- Visual consistency: Experienced directors like James Whitmore Jr., Tony Wharmby, and Edward Ornelas often helm episodes involving deeper backstory.
- Fan demand: With so many still asking about Gibbs, the door is wide open for more.
What Does The NCIS Season 23 Midseason Premiere Reveal?
The midseason premiere of NCIS has more to offer than just a single case. Parker’s personal story is linked to a much bigger threat, which puts the team in dangerous situations. As they dig deeper, real danger starts to mix with clues from past cases and even stories.
Parker’s Family Gets Pulled Into the Case
What starts out as a threat to blackmail a local baker turns into more. There are new threats against Parker’s sister face, and the team investigates into how this is related to a case they originally investigated years ago.
- Family in danger: The blackmail plot extends to Parker’s relatives.
- Old case revived: The team finds past mistakes might still have consequences.
- Torres under pressure: Torres faces danger when he follows a risky lead from an old contact.
Deeper Mystery Connects to McGee’s Fiction
There may be clues about real crimes in McGee’s latest Deep Six novel. Someone might be getting ideas or warnings from McGee’s Thom character’s stories. Investigations that are based on real events are becoming less clear.
- Creative crossover: The team forced and follows twists that match plots in McGee’s books.
- Literary clues: A “Page Turner” twist adds suspense and a meta layer to the case.
- New characters: Fresh faces like Agent Sawyer and Lionel Coleman join through the NCIS Elite training offer.
- Directed by experts: Top names like Michael Zinberg, Stephen Cragg, Terrence O’Hara, and Arvin Brown guide the episode with sharp pacing.
What Makes The NCIS Season 23 Midseason Premiere A Must-Watch?
There’s more to the midseason premiere of NCIS Season 23 than just a return from break. It goes into more in-depth stories, ties together personal pasts with present dangers, and sets up big changes for the future. This episode gives the season a lot more weight thanks to its great direction and writing.
Longtime Directors And Writers Elevate The Episode
Many of the people who worked on this episode have been with the show since the beginning. Their past helps connect new events to the emotional roots of NCIS, which makes this episode feel both old and new.
- Trusted names: Bellisario, directors Dennis Smith, and Tom Wright keep the tone classic.
- Consistent style: Jeff Woolnough, Peter Ellis, Leslie Libman, and Colin Bucksey handle pacing and visuals well.
- Strong writing: Martha Mitchell, William Webb, and Alrick Riley bring depth and mystery.
Emotional Stakes And Classic NCIS Suspense
This episode forces the team into difficult choices, especially as blackmail leads to a case that mirrors a father’s killing. The blend of action and heart makes it stand out.
- Tough decisions: The team is forced into an impossible choice that risks lives.
- Character growth: Brian Dietzen brings emotion in key scenes.
- Fan nods: Mentions of Ellie Bishop and Abby Sciuto may hint at future returns.
- Balanced tone: A short, lighthearted recap keeps the mood grounded.
Final Thoughts
Longtime fans of NCIS will love the midseason premiere of Season 23 because it has mystery, emotion, and connections to the show’s past. It’s exciting because the NCIS directors and writers keep the show’s history alive from the first season on. The drama stays high because important stories are about to come out and special agents are back to look into blackmail and family ties.
This episode feels like a turning point, from Parker’s personal case to McGee’s big choice. The team is forced to face old wounds and uncovering links to past missions. This episode has it all, whether you came for the action, the emotion, or the nostalgia.
FAQs
The episode is soon to be released on February 24, 2026.
Rocky Carroll continues to play the NCIS director, leading the team through complex investigations.
Yes, the special agents investigate a blackmail case connected to family secrets and past missions.
Yes, CBS held a promotional event as part of the return campaign, covered by Screen Rant and others.
Donald Ducky Mallard passed in-story, but tributes to him remain since the first season, and his legacy is honored by characters like Frank Cardea, one of the most powerful men behind the scenes.
