What To Expect From NCIS Season 21

Published: October 16, 2023

What To Expect From NCIS Season 21

By Movieguide® Contributor

As production for NCIS resumes after the strikes put it on pause, fans are finally getting updates about what they can expect from Season 21.

Viewers can expect to see a first glimpse of the season in early 2024, and the series will continue to air on Monday nights.

Movieguide® previously reported:

NCIS showrunner Steven D. Binder gave fans some details about what they can expect from upcoming episodes, saying, “We’ll be seeing their non-work life a little more. I think one of the cores of the show is the cases. The show’s called NCIS, it’s about the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. But anyone who watches the show knows that it’s really about the people on the show.”

One major change is the loss of David McCallum, who played Donald “Ducky” Mallard. The actor died in late September.

Fans are expecting a proper tribute for McCallum, and although “no plans have been confirmed by the show’s creators, we cannot imagine a world in which the show does not honor McCallum’s legacy with a sendoff to the late actor who has been part of the show since the very beginning,” One Chicago Center reported.

Many of the co-workers and cast members shared memories of McCallum following his death.

Producers Steven D. Binder and David North said, “As much as his fans may have loved him, those who worked side by side with David loved him that much more…He was a scholar and a gentleman, always gracious, a consummate professional, and never one to pass up a joke. From day one, it was an honor to work with him and he never let us down. He was, quite simply, a legend. He was also family and will be deeply missed.”

Actress Pauley Perrette wrote on Instagram, “Oh David. What a life. What a legend. What a journey. And your legacy will always be the love you have for your family. Love to Katherine and the kids and the grandkids, your absolutely very favorite things.”

Fellow actor Wilmer Valderrama said on his social media, “David, what an immense honor it was to share the screen with you. Your professionalism and ability to effortlessly take every one of us on a journey through your art will be felt forever. I will miss you my friend.”

NCIS is heading overseas to Australia. For the first time ever, franchise fans can follow NCIS: SIDNEY.

“The new series will see U.S. NCIS agents teaming up with the Australian Federal Police (AFP) to form a multinational task force designed to ‘keep naval crimes in check in the most contested patch of ocean on the planet.’ Fans can begin enjoying new episodes of NCIS: Sydney beginning Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 8/9c with the series premiere,” according to One Chicago Center.

Movieguide® previously reported on NCIS: SIDNEY:

With TV show production at a standstill due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, CBS is swapping an American favorite for Australia’s NCIS: SYDNEY.

“CBS had previously announced a Monday night schedule for fall that included NCIS repeat at 9 p.m. ET, followed by an unspecified ‘Paramount+ Original’ at 10 p.m., which has now been confirmed to be NCIS: SYDNEY,” Variety reported.

Season 21 of NCIS was set to arrive this fall, but the strikes put it on hold. Now, the soonest fans can expect to see the 21^st season will be in 2024.

CBS president Amy Reisenbach said, “NCIS is one of the most popular series in the world, and we’re thrilled to expand this franchise with a uniquely Australian twist. With the addition of NCIS: SYDNEY, our studio and network footprint continues to grow in this fascinating world that has been a proven winner with viewers on both linear and streaming platforms.”