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The Definitive NCIS Cast List: Who’s In, Who’s Out, And Gibbs’ Shocking Return For Season 23

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The landscape of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) team is perpetually shifting, a dynamic that keeps the long-running series fresh and fans on their toes. As of the latest updates in late December 2025, the core team for Season 23 is solidified, but the biggest news revolves around a major character’s return and a significant new recurring addition. The current season promises a deeply personal and potentially dark storyline for Supervisory Special Agent Alden Parker, while the franchise prepares for a highly anticipated crossover event that will see a legendary agent step back into the universe. The constant rotation of agents and the dramatic, emotional departures are what define the show's legacy, making the cast list one of the most talked-about topics in television.

The flagship series continues to thrive by balancing new blood with the veterans who have been with the agency for decades. From the original team that included Leroy Jethro Gibbs and Anthony DiNozzo to the current lineup led by Gary Cole’s Alden Parker, the show’s cast is a complex web of history, tragedy, and enduring loyalty. Understanding the current team requires a look back at the iconic agents who paved the way, including the emotional farewell to a beloved medical examiner in a recent season.

The Current NCIS Main Cast and Full Historical Roster (Seasons 1–23)

The NCIS team has seen more changes than almost any other procedural drama on television, yet a few key figures remain as the backbone. Below is a comprehensive list of the main cast members who have held series regular status, providing the topical authority needed to track the agency’s evolution over two decades.

Current Main Cast (NCIS Season 23)

  • Gary Cole as Supervisory Special Agent Alden Parker (Season 19–Present)
  • Sean Murray as NCIS Senior Special Agent Timothy McGee (Season 1–Present)
  • Wilmer Valderrama as Special Agent Nick Torres (Season 14–Present)
  • Katrina Law as Special Agent Jessica Knight (Season 18–Present)
  • Diona Reasonover as Forensic Specialist Kasie Hines (Season 15–Present)
  • Rocky Carroll as NCIS Director Leon Vance (Season 5–Present)
  • Brian Dietzen as Chief Medical Examiner Jimmy Palmer (Season 1–Present, Main Cast from Season 10)

New & Returning Cast Updates for Season 23:

  • Nancy Travis is joining the cast in a recurring role as Navy Vice Admiral Harriet Parker, the sibling of Alden Parker. This new character is expected to bring a deeply personal element to Parker's storyline.
  • Emily Wickersham made a surprise guest return as former Special Agent Eleanor Bishop in the Season 23 fall finale, watching a funeral from afar.

Iconic Past Main Cast Members and Their Exits

  • Mark Harmon as Special Agent in Charge Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Seasons 1–19): Gibbs officially retired to live a peaceful life in Alaska, a bittersweet departure for the show's central figure.
  • David McCallum as Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard (Seasons 1–21): Following the passing of actor David McCallum, Ducky's character passed away in the Season 21 tribute episode, "The Stories We Leave Behind."
  • Michael Weatherly as Special Agent Anthony "Tony" DiNozzo (Seasons 1–13): DiNozzo left the agency to raise his and Ziva’s daughter, Tali. He made a surprise cameo in the Ducky tribute episode.
  • Pauley Perrette as Forensic Specialist Abby Sciuto (Seasons 1–15): Abby departed NCIS to start a foundation in honor of her colleague Clayton Reeves, who was killed protecting her.
  • Cote de Pablo as Special Agent Ziva David (Seasons 3–11, Guest in 16–17): Ziva was presumed dead in a mortar attack, but later revealed to be alive, returning for a brief arc before reuniting with Tony and Tali.
  • Sasha Alexander as Special Agent Caitlin "Kate" Todd (Seasons 1–2): Kate was tragically killed by the terrorist Ari Haswari in one of the show’s most shocking early moments.

The Future of NCIS: Gibbs' Crossover and Parker's Dark Turn

The longevity of NCIS is largely due to its ability to reinvent itself while honoring its past. The latest developments for the franchise and its flagship show are a testament to this strategy, particularly with the confirmed return of the show's most legendary figure, Leroy Jethro Gibbs.

Mark Harmon’s Confirmed On-Screen Return in the NCIS Universe

For years, the question of whether Mark Harmon would ever return to the screen as Gibbs has dominated fan discussions. The answer is now a definitive yes. Harmon is set to reprise his role as Gibbs in a highly anticipated crossover event involving the flagship series and the prequel, NCIS: Origins. While his initial departure saw Gibbs retire to the peaceful wilderness of Alaska, his return is a massive event for the entire *NCIS* universe, confirming that the character remains deeply integrated into the franchise’s DNA, both as a narrator and now as an on-screen presence in the prequel's first hour. This move not only excites long-time fans but also serves to connect the past of the agency, explored in *Origins*, with the current team.

Alden Parker’s Season 23 Storyline and the New Vice Admiral

The current team leader, Supervisory Special Agent Alden Parker, is poised for a significant and challenging storyline in Season 23. Reports indicate that the season premiere delivers a "dark change" for Parker, who took over the leadership role from Gibbs. This arc will be heavily influenced by the introduction of his sister, Navy Vice Admiral Harriet Parker, played by veteran actress Nancy Travis. The addition of a high-ranking family member suggests that Parker's personal life and professional duties will collide in a high-stakes manner, forcing the agent to confront difficult choices and potentially ethical grey areas. This narrative shift is a key element in establishing the current team’s identity, moving beyond the shadow of Gibbs and allowing Parker to develop his own legacy within the agency.

The Enduring Legacy of NCIS Major Cast Departures

The history of *NCIS* is marked by emotional and often surprising cast exits that have become major moments in television history. These departures, including those of Agents Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David, and the beloved forensic scientist Abby Sciuto, are crucial to understanding the show's evolution and its topical authority.

The Emotional Farewell to Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard

One of the most recent and profound cast changes was the death of Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard, played by the late David McCallum. Ducky’s passing was handled in the Season 21 episode, "The Stories We Leave Behind," which was a heartfelt tribute to both the character and the actor. The episode saw the return of Michael Weatherly as Tony DiNozzo, who flew in from Europe to attend Ducky’s funeral and provide emotional support to Dr. Jimmy Palmer, Ducky’s protégé and the current Chief Medical Examiner. This storyline provided closure for one of the original cast members and highlighted the deep, familial bonds within the NCIS team, proving that even a procedural drama can deliver powerful, character-driven emotion. The tribute not only honored Ducky's role as a medical examiner but also his unofficial role as the team's historian and mentor.

The Ziva and DiNozzo Saga

The romantic tension and eventual reunion of Special Agent Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David remains one of the most compelling storylines in the series. Michael Weatherly's exit in Season 13 saw DiNozzo leave to care for his daughter, Tali, after Ziva was presumed dead. Cote de Pablo's subsequent return in Seasons 16 and 17, revealing Ziva was alive, was a massive fan payoff. This on-again, off-again status has kept the door open for potential future guest appearances, a concept that the show has demonstrated it is willing to use, as seen with DiNozzo's recent cameo in the Ducky tribute. Their storyline is a masterclass in using character history to drive viewer interest, a key component of the show's enduring success.

The current NCIS cast, with agents like Timothy McGee, Nick Torres, and Jessica Knight, are now the main pillars, continuing the legacy of integrity and teamwork established by the original agents. With the addition of new characters like Vice Admiral Harriet Parker and the dramatic potential of Alden Parker's new arc, *NCIS* is proving that after over two decades, its cast remains its most valuable, and most volatile, asset.

The Definitive NCIS Cast List: Who’s In, Who’s Out, and Gibbs’ Shocking Return for Season 23
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