NCIS (TV series)

NCIS
Genre
Created by
Starring
Theme music composerNumeriklab
Opening theme"NCIS Theme"
Ending theme"NCIS Theme"
Composers
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons20
No. of episodes457 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • David Bellisario
  • Avery C. Drewe
Production locationSanta Clarita, California
CinematographyBilly Webb
Running time39–44 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseSeptember 23, 2003 (2003-09-23) –
present
Related

NCIS is an American military police procedural television series and the first installment in the NCIS media franchise. The series revolves around a fictional team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, combining elements of the military drama, police procedural genres, and comedy. The concept and characters were initially introduced in two episodes of the CBS series JAG (season eight episodes 20 and 21: "Ice Queen" and "Meltdown"). A spin-off from JAG, the series premiered on September 23, 2003, on CBS. To date, it has entered into the 20th full season and has gone into broadcast syndication on the USA Network. Donald P. Bellisario and Don McGill are co-creators and executive producers of the premiere member of the NCIS franchise. As of 2022, NCIS is the third-longest-running scripted, live-action U.S. prime-time TV series currently airing, surpassed only by Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999–present) and Law & Order (1990–2010; 2022–present); it is the seventh-longest-running scripted U.S. prime-time TV series overall.

The series originally had the partly redundant title Navy NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service; this was later shortened to NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service and then to NCIS. In season six, a two-part episode led to a spin-off series, NCIS: Los Angeles. A two-part episode during the 11th season led to a second spin-off series, NCIS: New Orleans. Though initially slow in the ratings, barely cracking the top 30 in the first two seasons, the third season showed progress, consistently ranking in the top 20, and by its sixth season, it became a top-five hit, having remained there since. In 2011, NCIS was voted America's favorite television show in an online Harris Poll. At the end of its 10th season, the series was the most-watched television series in the U.S. during the 2012–13 network television season. NCIS is on its 20th season. On February 21, 2023, NCIS was renewed for a 21st season, which is set to premiere on February 12, 2024.

Premise

NCIS is an American police procedural drama television series, revolving around a fictional team of special agents of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service responding to high visibility crimes. NCIS is the primary federal law-enforcement agency of the United States Department of the Navy, which investigates criminal activities (e.g. deaths, force protection, treason, etc.) involving the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps and their families. Based at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., the NCIS Major Case Response Team was led until his suspension late in season 18 by Supervisory Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, a former Marine Corps gunnery sergeant scout sniper and a skilled investigator. Supervisory Special Agent Alden Parker, a former FBI special agent, now leads the team following his appointment early in season 19.

Cast and characters

Mark Harmon stars as Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
(from left) Duane Henry, Brian Dietzen, Sean Murray; (right) Wilmer Valderrama

Episodes

As of May 22, 2023, 457 episodes of NCIS have aired, concluding the twentieth season.

SeasonEpisodesOriginally airedRankRating
First airedLast aired
Intro2April 22, 2003 (2003-04-22)April 29, 2003 (2003-04-29)
123September 23, 2003 (2003-09-23)May 25, 2004 (2004-05-25)237.8
223September 28, 2004 (2004-09-28)May 24, 2005 (2005-05-24)228.8
324September 20, 2005 (2005-09-20)May 16, 2006 (2006-05-16)129.8
424September 19, 2006 (2006-09-19)May 22, 2007 (2007-05-22)159.0
519September 25, 2007 (2007-09-25)May 20, 2008 (2008-05-20)119.2
625September 23, 2008 (2008-09-23)May 19, 2009 (2009-05-19)510.9
724September 22, 2009 (2009-09-22)May 25, 2010 (2010-05-25)411.5
824September 21, 2010 (2010-09-21)May 17, 2011 (2011-05-17)511.8
924September 20, 2011 (2011-09-20)May 15, 2012 (2012-05-15)212.3
1024September 25, 2012 (2012-09-25)May 14, 2013 (2013-05-14)113.5
1124September 24, 2013 (2013-09-24)May 13, 2014 (2014-05-13)112.6
1224September 23, 2014 (2014-09-23)May 12, 2015 (2015-05-12)211.6
1324September 22, 2015 (2015-09-22)May 17, 2016 (2016-05-17)112.8
1424September 20, 2016 (2016-09-20)May 16, 2017 (2017-05-16)211.4
1524September 26, 2017 (2017-09-26)May 22, 2018 (2018-05-22)210.3
1624September 25, 2018 (2018-09-25)May 21, 2019 (2019-05-21)39.6
1720September 24, 2019 (2019-09-24)April 14, 2020 (2020-04-14)310.1
1816November 17, 2020 (2020-11-17)May 25, 2021 (2021-05-25)410.3
1921September 20, 2021 (2021-09-20)May 23, 2022 (2022-05-23)411.9
2022September 19, 2022 (2022-09-19)May 22, 2023 (2023-05-22)512.7
21TBAFebruary 12, 2024 (2024-02-12)2024 (2024)TBATBA

Backdoor pilots

JAG

Two episodes of JAG season eight, "Ice Queen" and "Meltdown", serve as the backdoor pilot of NCIS itself.

These JAG episodes introduced the characters of Jethro Gibbs, Anthony DiNozzo, Vivian Blackadder, Abby Sciuto, and Donald "Ducky" Mallard.

Patrick Labyorteaux appears on NCIS reprising his JAG role as Lt. Bud Roberts in the first-season episode "Hung Out to Dry", in the 14th-season episode "Rogue", and in the season-15 episode "Dark Secrets"; Alicia Coppola returned as Lt. Cmdr. Faith Coleman in "UnSEALed", "Call of Silence", and "Hometown Hero", while Adam Baldwin returned as Cmdr. Michael Rainer in "A Weak Link", and John M. Jackson appeared as retired Rear Admiral A. J. Chegwidden in the season-10 episode "Damned If You Do".

NCIS: Los Angeles

The two-part NCIS season-six episode "Legend" serves as the backdoor pilot of NCIS: Los Angeles.

"Legend" introduces Chris O'Donnell as G. Callen, LL Cool J as Sam Hanna, Daniela Ruah as Kensi Blye, and Barrett Foa as Eric Beale.

Rocky Carroll recurs on NCIS: Los Angeles as his NCIS character Director Leon Vance, while Pauley Perrette has appeared twice as Abby, and Michael Weatherly has appeared once as Anthony DiNozzo. NCIS guest stars reprising roles between series include David Dayan Fisher as CIA Officer Trent Kort, in the season finale of NCIS: Los Angeles, and Kelly Hu as Lee Wuan Kai in NCIS: Los Angeles and later in an episode of NCIS.

John M. Jackson has appeared on NCIS: Los Angeles as his JAG character Admiral A. J. Chegwidden, while this series has also crossed over with Hawaii Five-0 and Scorpion.

NCIS: New Orleans

The two-part NCIS season-11 episode "Crescent City" serves as the backdoor pilot of NCIS: New Orleans.

"Crescent City" introduces Scott Bakula as Dwayne Pride, Lucas Black as Christopher LaSalle, Zoe McLellan as Meredith Brody, and CCH Pounder as Loretta Wade.

Rocky Carroll recurs as Director Leon Vance, while NCIS series regulars Mark Harmon, Michael Weatherly, Pauley Perrette, Sean Murray, Emily Wickersham, Wilmer Valderrama, David McCallum, and Brian Dietzen have all appeared as their NCIS characters. NCIS recurring cast members Meredith Eaton, Joe Spano, Diane Neal, and Leslie Hope have all guest-starred on NCIS: New Orleans.

Production

A look at behind the scenes filming in 2009

Title

Before the launch of the first season, advertisements on CBS identified the show as "Naval CIS". By the time of the launch of the first episode, NCIS was airing under the name Navy NCIS, the name it held for the entire first season. Since the "N" in NCIS stands for "Naval", the name "Navy NCIS" was redundant. The decision to use this name was reportedly made by CBS, over the objections of Bellisario, who preferred the old title because he felt it would:

  • Attract new viewers (particularly those of JAG), who might not know the NCIS abbreviation
  • Distinguish between NCIS and the similarly themed and similarly spelled CBS series CSI and its spinoffs. (The original title, for instance, was often misquoted and parodied as "Navy CSI", something the show itself referenced in the first episode.)

Development

In 2011, NCIS was voted America's favorite television show in an online Harris poll. NCIS finished its 10th season as the most-watched television series in the U.S. during the 2012–13 network television season. Diona Reasonover joined the main cast in season 16, following the departures of Duane Henry and Pauley Perrette. NCIS was renewed for a seventeenth season on April 11, 2019, which premiered on September 24, 2019, and for an eighteenth season in May 2020. The season premiered on November 17, 2020.

Flair

From the season two episode "Lt. Jane Doe" onwards, the series began showing two-second-long black-and-white clips. These clips (called "phoofs") are shown at the beginning of every segment depicting the last two seconds of that segment, a segment being the five or six portions of the show meant to be separated by commercials. Additionally, starting with the season three premiere, "Kill Ari (Part I)," a freeze-frame shot was also used at the very end of most episodes as well.

Crew changes

It was reported in May 2007 that Donald P. Bellisario would be stepping down from the show. Due to a disagreement with series star Mark Harmon, Bellisario's duties as showrunner/head writer were to be given to long-time show collaborators, including co-executive producer Chas. Floyd Johnson and Shane Brennan, with Bellisario retaining his title as executive producer. In fall 2009,[clarification needed] Gary Glasberg joined the crew and became the new "day-to-day" runner of NCIS because Shane Brennan had to focus on his new show, the spin-off NCIS: Los Angeles. On September 28, 2016, Glasberg died in his sleep at the age of 50.

Release

Broadcast

NCIS airs on Network 10, 10 Bold, Fox Crime (formerly TV Hits and TV1) and Paramount+ in Australia, Global (syndicated on sister channels Showcase and Lifetime) in Canada, TV3 and The Box in New Zealand, Seriale+ (premieres), TVN (free-TV premieres), TVN7 (reruns), AXN (reruns), (India) Fox Crime, Star World India (Pakistan) ARY Digital, ARY Zindagi, TVOne Pakistan and TV Puls (reruns) in Poland, Disney+ Hotstar and Rock Entertainment in Southeast Asia, CBS Justice, Channel 5 and 5USA in the United Kingdom, M6 in France, RTÉ2 in Ireland, Rai 2 in Italy, and Ion Television in USA. It also airs on Disney+ in the UK. NCIS aired in Russia on FOX.[1]

Home media

The first 20 seasons of NCIS have been released in Regions 1, 2, and 4. In Germany (Region 2), seasons 1–4 and 5–8 were released in two separate sets for each season. The first-season DVD omits the two introductory episodes from season eight of JAG, though they are featured on the JAG season eight DVD.

Other releases

In 2010, CBS Interactive and GameHouse released a mobile video game, NCIS: The Game for iOS, Android, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, and BREW/J2ME. The game features five different cases written by the show's writers.

On November 1, 2011, Ubisoft released a video game adaption of NCIS for the PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii. A Nintendo 3DS version was released on March 6, 2012. The video game was deemed as a mockery of the show by reviewers and players alike, and received a 2/10 rating on GameSpot.

There is also a Facebook and mobile game called NCIS: Hidden Crimes.

TV movies

In the UK, certain NCIS multi-part episodes were edited together to make a combined feature and shown on Channel 5, 5USA, CBS Action and Fox UK. These include:

Title Episodes edited together Air date Runtime Source
The NCIS Movie: Enemies "Enemies Foreign" / "Enemies Domestic" May 20, 2013 1 hr, 20 mins
The NCIS Movie: Judgement Day "Judgment Day (Part I)" / "Judgment Day (Part II)" June 10, 2013 1 hr, 40 mins
The NCIS Movie: Legend
(Legend Compilation)
"Legend (Part I)" / "Legend (Part II)" June 10, 2013 1 hr, 45 mins
The NCIS Movie: Kill Ari "Kill Ari (Part I)" / "Kill Ari (Part II)" August 22, 2013 2 hrs
The NCIS Movie: War on Terror "Engaged (Part I)" / "Engaged (Part II)" February 1, 2014 1 hr, 20 mins
The NCIS Movie: Payback "Borderland" / "Patriot Down" / "Rule Fifty-One" March 1, 2014 2 hrs, 35 mins
The NCIS Movie: Shell Shock "Shell Shock (Part I)" / "Shell Shock (Part II)" April 11, 2014 1 hr, 30 mins
Death Wish (Part I & II) "Shabbat Shalom" / "Shiva" April 16, 2014 (1)
April 18, 2014 (2)
1 hr, 40 mins
The NCIS Movie:
Race Against Terror: Hiatus
"Hiatus (Part I)" / "Hiatus (Part II)"
  • August 20, 2016
  • September 17, 2016
1 hr, 50 mins


Soundtrack

CBS Records released the show's first soundtrack on February 10, 2009. The Official TV Soundtrack is a two-disc, 22-track set that includes brand new songs from top artists featured prominently in upcoming episodes of the series, as well as the show's original theme by Numeriklab (available commercially for the first time) and a remix of the theme by Ministry. The set also includes songs performed by series regulars Pauley Perrette and Coté de Pablo.

A sequel to the soundtrack was released on November 3, 2009. NCIS: The Official TV Soundtrack; Vol. 2 is a single-disc, 12-track set that covers songs (many previously unreleased) featured throughout the seventh season of the show, including one recording titled "Bitter and Blue" by Weatherly, as well as two songs used in previous seasons.

Reception

In 2016, The New York Times reported that NCIS "is most popular in rural areas", especially in rural Maine and Pennsylvania.

Broadcast ratings

Seasonal rankings (based on average total viewers per episode) of NCIS. Each U.S. network television season starts in late September and ends in late May, which coincides with the completion of May sweeps.

  • Since season 7, NCIS has been the most watched scripted show on American television; in the 2012–13 season it was the most watched program of the past year, surpassing both American Idol and NBC Sunday Night Football, which had ranked above it the previous three seasons.
  • On January 15, 2013, NCIS surpassed its previous series high in viewers, with the season ten episode "Shiva" attracting 22.86 million viewers.
Viewership and ratings per season of NCIS
Season Timeslot (ET) Episodes First aired Last aired TV season Viewership
rank
Avg. viewers
(millions)
Avg. 18–49
rating
1 Tuesday 8:00pm 23 September 23, 2003 May 25, 2004 2003–04 26 11.84
2 23 September 28, 2004 May 24, 2005 2004–05 22 13.57
3 24 September 20, 2005 May 16, 2006 2005–06 16 15.27
4 24 September 19, 2006 May 22, 2007 2006–07 20 14.54
5 19 September 25, 2007 May 20, 2008 2007–08 14 14.41
6 25 September 23, 2008 May 19, 2009 2008–09 5 17.77
7 24 September 22, 2009 May 25, 2010 2009–10 4 19.33 4.1
8 24 September 21, 2010 May 17, 2011 2010–11 5 19.46 4.1
9 24 September 20, 2011 May 15, 2012 2011–12 3 19.49 4.0
10 24 September 25, 2012 May 14, 2013 2012–13 1 21.34 4.0
11 24 September 24, 2013 May 13, 2014 2013–14 3 19.77 3.3
12 24 September 23, 2014 May 12, 2015 2014–15 3 18.25 2.4
13 24 September 22, 2015 May 17, 2016 2015–16 3 16.61 2.2
14 24 September 20, 2016 May 16, 2017 2016–17 3 14.63 2.5
15 24 September 26, 2017 May 22, 2018 2017–18 5 17.02 2.2
16 24 September 25, 2018 May 21, 2019 2018–19 3 15.57 1.9
17 20 September 24, 2019 April 14, 2020 2019–20 2 15.33 1.7
18 16 November 17, 2020 May 25, 2021 2020–21 3 12.58 1.2
19 Monday 9:00pm 21 September 20, 2021 May 23, 2022 2021–22 3 10.90 0.9
20 22 September 19, 2022 May 22, 2023 2022–23 3 9.86 0.7
21 TBA February 12, 2024 TBA 2023–24 TBD TBD TBD

Franchise

NCIS has produced four spin-offs: NCIS: Los Angeles (2009–2023), NCIS: New Orleans (2014–2021), NCIS: Hawaiʻi (2021–) and NCIS: Sydney (2023-).

NCIS: Los Angeles

In November 2008, it was reported that a first spin-off series set in Los Angeles would be introduced with a two-part backdoor pilot during the sixth season of NCIS. The episode title "Legend (Part I)" and "Legend (Part II)", airing on April 28, 2009, and May 5, 2009. In May 2009, CBS picked up an NCIS spin-off series with the title NCIS: Los Angeles.

The series stars Chris O'Donnell as Special Agent G. Callen, LL Cool J as Special Agent Sam Hanna, Louise Lombard as Special Agent Lara Macy, Peter Cambor as Operational Psychologist Nate Getz, and Daniela Ruah as Special Agent Kensi Blye. Following the official pick-up by CBS, it was confirmed that Lombard would not continue her role as Special Agent Lara Macy. Linda Hunt and Adam Jamal Craig were added the cast as OSP Manager Henrietta Lange and Special Agent Dom Vail respectively. Craig, would not be returning for second season and was replaced by Eric Christian Olsen as Marty Deeks promoted to series regular.

Characters from NCIS have appeared in the spin-off. Rocky Carroll portrayed Leon Vance in a recurring role, and Pauley Perrette portrayed Abby Sciuto, with a guest appearance in the season 1 episodes "Killshot" and "Random on Purpose".

NCIS: Los Angeles was created by Shane Brennan. In April 2011, NCIS creator Donald Bellisario sued CBS over NCIS: Los Angeles because of his contract which gave him "first opportunity" to develop a spin-off or sequel; the lawsuit was dismissed by a judge in June 2012. However, discussions continued between CBS and Bellisario, and in January 2013 the dispute was settled outside of court a week before it was set to go to trial; the terms of the agreement were not disclosed but were described as being amicable.

NCIS: New Orleans

In September 2013, it was reported that a second spin-off series set in New Orleans would be introduced with a two-part backdoor pilot during the eleventh season of NCIS. The episode title "Crescent City (Part I)" and "Crescent City (Part II)". The episodes were filmed in February 2014, and aired on March 25, 2014, and April 1, 2014. NCIS star Mark Harmon and showrunner Gary Glasberg are the executive producers of the series. Glasberg discussed the idea of the episode with Harmon, who said "That's more than a sweeps episode" (meaning an episode with provocative subject manner and top appeal for television ratings). The premise for the episodes are, according to Glasberg, "all about this tiny little NCIS office that's down [in New Orleans], and the kind of cases that they come across". In May 2014, CBS picked up an NCIS second spin-off series with the title NCIS: New Orleans.

The series stars Scott Bakula as Special Agent Dwayne Cassius Pride, Lucas Black as Special Agent Christopher LaSalle, Zoe McLellan as Special Agent Meredith "Merri" Brody, Rob Kerkovich as Sebastian Lund, and CCH Pounder as Dr. Loretta Wade. Daryl "Chill" Mitchell, Shalita Grant and Vanessa Ferlito joined the main cast later, portrayed as computer specialist Patton Plame, Special Agent Sonja Percy, and Special Agent Tammy Gregorio, respectively.

NCIS and NCIS: New Orleans have had two crossovers.

  • "Sister City" (season 13): Abby's brother is suspected of poisoning the passengers and crew of a private plane flying from New Orleans to Washington, D.C.
  • "Pandora's Box" (season 14): A theoretical terror playbook is stolen and put up for auction on the black market when Abby's homeland security think tank is compromised.

NCIS: Hawaiʻi

On February 16, 2021, it was reported that a spin-off set in Hawaii was in the works from NCIS: New Orleans executive producers Christopher Silber and Jan Nash. On April 23, 2021, it was announced that CBS had given the production a straight-to-series order to the spin-off, and intended to include the franchise's first female lead character. The show debuted on CBS on September 20, 2021, with Vanessa Lachey in the leading role.

NCIS: Sydney

On February 16, 2022, it was reported that a spin-off set in Sydney, Australia, was in the works. NCIS: Los Angeles producer Shane Brennan will be attached to the project. The series will be the first international spin-off for the NCIS franchise, and will feature local Australian actors and producers. It was released in Australia on Paramount+ from November 10, 2023, and is set to also air on Network 10 in mid 2024. It also aired on CBS in the United States from November 14, 2023, as a result of the suspension of other NCIS productions due to the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes, and will be available for streaming in selected territories internationally on Paramount+.

The cast is led by Olivia Swann and Todd Lasance, with Sean Sagar, Tuuli Narkle, Mavournee Hazel and William McInnes.

NCIS: Origins

On January 5, 2024, it was announced that a spin-off and prequel series based on Leroy Jethro Gibbs's early days as an NCIS agent was in the works. Mark Harmon is set to reprise his role as Gibbs in a narrator role. The series is set to air during the 2024-2025 season.

Awards and nominations

NCIS has received many awards and nominations since it premiered on September 23, 2003, including the ALMA Awards, ASCAP Awards, BMI Film & TV Awards, Emmy Awards, and People's Choice Awards.


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