NCIScontinues its strong run on CBS, with two of the franchise’s shows set for returns in 2025. TheNCISseries revolves around the lives of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, with the characters originally introduced in an episode ofJAG. Premiering in September 2003 on CBS, the procedural has gone on to become the network’s flagship show. Now in season, it is the third-longest-running scripted live-action U.S. primetime show currently airing on television. The original show has spawned six spinoffs, including theprequelNCIS: Origins, andNCIS: Sydneywhich debuted in 2022.
A press release fromParamount Press Expresshas revealed that the franchise is set to return to CBS in 2025, withNCISseason 22 getting a midseason return on Monday, January 27, 2025in the 9:00 -10:00 pm time slot.NCIS: Originsalso returns on the same nightand will air right afterNCIS.Meanwhile,NCIS: Sydneyseason 2 will have its season premiere Friday, January 31, in the 8:00-9:00 pm time slot after season 1 concluded in December 2023.
What This News Means For The NCIS Franchise
The Shows Continue To Command An Audience
Even now that the original show is over two decades old,theNCISfranchise is showing no signs of slowing down, or losing popularity, with more recent seasons still averaging over 10 million viewers.NCISseason 22appears to have the franchise back onto long-form storytelling after season 21 was truncated (10 episodes) as a result of the SAG-AFTRA strikes, and this should bode well for how the season unfolds.NCIS: Originsalso is off to a strong start in its premiere year and its rating will likely be helped by airing after the flagship show.
The franchise might be one of the most ubiquitous on primetime television, but it does feel like a procedural that will continue to roll on no matter what.
As forNCIS: Sydneyseason 2, the show will pick up after a cliffhanger ending to season 1, and the premiere could well pick up with Utkin’s death, as well as exploring the Colonel Rankin reveal in more depth.NCIS Sydneyhas been well-received in Australia, and the show will return to Paramount+ in the new year, hoping to get close to emulating the 14-season run ofNCIS: Los Angeles.
Our Verdict On Whether The NCIS Franchise Has Run Its Course
There Is Life In The Series Yet
The franchise might be one of the most ubiquitous on primetime television, but it does feel like a procedural that will continue to roll on no matter what. WhilstNCIS: Sydneyis in a more precarious position, and will need to work harder to maintain longevity due to its specific location, I would not be hugely surprised to see the originalNCISreach season 30. While this is unlikely, as long as there is still an audience for compelling procedurals, with fun characters,NCISwill continue to thrive.
NCIS
Cast
NCIS is a television series that follows a team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Premiering in 2003, the show explores various cases involving Navy and Marine Corps personnel, ranging from murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines.
NCIS: Sydney
NCIS: Sydney is an Australian crime-police procedural series and is another spin-off in the long-running NCIS franchise. The series is set in Sydney, Australia, and follows Special Agent-in-Charge Michelle Mackey as she and her fellow partners deal with various high-profile cases and crimes.
NCIS: Origins
NCIS: Origins is set in 1991, preceding the events of the original series. The series introduces Leroy Jethro Gibbs as a new special agent at NCIS Camp Pendleton. Under the leadership of NCIS legend Mike Franks, Gibbs navigates his role within a tenacious, unconventional team.
