NCIS: The Everlasting Gift Through Its Spinoffs

It has been over two decades since NCIS first aired as a backdoor pilot on JAG, forever changing the landscape of crime investigation shows.

NCIS made its debut in 2003, introducing viewers to Mark Harmon’s Leroy Jethro Gibbs and his lively, somewhat inexperienced team of Naval Investigators — including Michael Weatherly’s Anthony “Tony” DiNozzo and Sean Murray’s Timothy McGee — as they sought justice and closure for those impacted by crimes within the military ranks.

Although there have been numerous cast changes over the years, including Weatherly’s departure in 2016 and Harmon leaving in 2021, NCIS remains a must-watch for crime enthusiasts.

While spinoffs like NCIS: New Orleans, NCIS: Los Angeles, and NCIS: Hawai’i have each seen their run, the flagship series was still thriving at the start of 2025, with its spinoff game even stronger. (New Orleans wrapped up in 2021, Los Angeles in 2023, and Hawai’i in 2024.)

Entering its 23rd season in the fall of 2025, NCIS was a reason for all fans to celebrate.

This fall’s TV lineup also featured new seasons of two cherished spinoffs, NCIS: Origins and NCIS: Sydney, along with a fresh series within the same universe highlighting familiar faces: NCIS: Tony & Ziva.

‘NCIS’

Describing 2025 as bountiful for NCIS aficionados would be an understatement. The show delved into Alden Parker’s (Gary Cole) past, exploring his mother’s death and hinting at the enigmatic return of Special Agent Ellie Bishop (Emily Wickersham) — and the season isn’t even concluded yet.

“We’re now in our 23rd season, and we’re still striving to create new stories rather than just repeating ourselves,” Murray, 48, revealed exclusively to Us Weekly in November regarding the original series. “We’re endeavoring to introduce fresh content. I think that’s why I’ve remained engaged here.”

Murray, the last original cast member of NCIS still on the show, emphasized, “We’re always on the lookout for interesting angles and unique perspectives.”

His co-stars, which currently feature Cole, Wilmer Valderrama, Katrina Law, Brian Dietzen, Rocky Carroll, and Diona Reasonover, have also contributed to the show’s ongoing appeal, drawing fans back season after season.

Moreover, NCIS spinoffs have proven to be a significant factor in the franchise’s success of late.

‘NCIS: Sydney’

NCIS: Sydney debuted in 2023, marking the franchise’s first international edition. With female Special Agent Michelle Mackey (Olivia Swann) leading the charge, viewers have been immersed in a distinctive realm of problem-solving.

Mackey, alongside her Australian Federal Police (AFP) partner Jim “JD” Dempsey (Todd Lasance), has fans rooting for them while navigating their cultural differences.

As season 3 commenced, fans began to engage with the intricate characters comprising their team — and the thrilling escapades that unfold in the Outback and beyond.

“The primary theme for our characters is the haunting of the past. Additionally, there’s an overarching conspiracy tied to Mackey,” Swann, 33, disclosed exclusively to Us in October, discussing the ongoing season’s progression. “It’s captivating and complex. We’re elevating the stakes in ways I never thought possible. Expect more action, more drama, and more fun.”

She hinted, “It’s a wild, enjoyable ride, and we get to be part of a found family of misfits just trying to keep others safe.”

Swann remarked that this season’s writers truly raised the bar. “We have a treasure hunt. There’s an alien abduction in the Outback. We’ve even got a podcast cold case from years ago, and a nanotech assassin. And let’s not forget the explosions aplenty!”

‘NCIS: Origins’

NCIS: Sydney is not the only spinoff that heightened its game heading into the fresh 2025 season. NCIS: Origins, a prequel series that launched in 2024, is packed with drama, romantic complexities, and high-stakes cases as it began its second season earlier this year.

NCIS: Origins follows a young Gibbs, portrayed by Austin Stowell, as he embarks on his journey at NIS (formerly known as Naval Investigation Service) set in the ‘90s in Southern California. His career begins under the guidance of mentor Mike Franks (Kyle Schmid) following the tragic loss of his wife and daughter during his overseas tour — a story well-known to devoted NCIS fans.

In the second season, the tension from lingering romantic feelings between Gibbs and partner Lala Dominguez (Mariel Molino) takes center stage after she narrowly escaped a fatal car accident at the end of season 1.

Despite the series adhering to the NCIS canon — where fans already know Gibbs will have four marriages — viewers still find themselves rooting for Lala and Gibbs to end up together. This desire for the storyline to veer from its established path showcases the impact of the show’s performances and how cherished the narratives are among fans.

“Even if we can’t pursue this love story, we can explore the subtleties of yearning for someone and its implications across different facets of life — including work and personal relationships,” Molino, 33, explained exclusively to Us in October when discussing Lala and Gibbs’ future. “You just want to show them they were wrong or make them proud.”

‘NCIS: Tony & Ziva’

In September, Paramount+ expanded the NCIS legacy with the launch of NCIS: Tony & Ziva. For long-time followers of the original series, the focus of this spinoff didn’t come as a surprise: Tony DiNozzo (Weatherly) and Special Agent Ziva David (Cote de Pablo) navigating life after their departures from NCIS.

During their tenure on NCIS, this pair fell in love, and after Ziva was presumed dead following an explosion at her family compound in the Middle East, Tony discovered they had a daughter named Tali. Ziva’s assumed death prompted Tony to leave his Washington, D.C. job to care for Tali and seek justice for his beloved.

Eventually, fans learned that Ziva was alive, but it was with the Paramount+ spinoff that they uncovered what transpired during the years Tony and Ziva were separated. This creative spinoff includes flashbacks from 2020-2025, detailing how the couple reconnected, their breakups, and their journey as co-parents before they were unified again to protect Tali from a modern-day threat in Paris.

NCIS: Tony & Ziva faced cancellation in December after a single season, but it provided fans closure regarding the couple — for which they are immensely grateful.

“The real connection between them comes through these very tender yet flirtatious moments,” de Pablo, 46, shared with Us in October just ahead of the series finale. “Naturally, there are also those intense, romantic scenes. For fans, experiencing this is essential to comprehend the payoff at the end. I believe those flashbacks are incredibly effective.”

As we approach 2026, fans can look forward to new episodes of NCIS, NCIS: Sydney, and NCIS: Origins, and hopefully more spinoffs in the future. For now, we can all rest easy knowing that this franchise is alive and thriving.

NCIS, NCIS: Origins, and NCIS: Sydney will return on CBS on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 8 p.m., 9 p.m., and 10 p.m. ET, respectively.