NCIS showrunner Steven D. Binder has revealed that Season 22 will tackle some of the major questions left hanging from Season 21’s dramatic finale.
The finale concluded with a high-stakes confrontation that was overshadowed by the news that Special Agent Jessica Knight (played by Katrina Law) had been offered a position as Camp Pendleton’s new REACT instructor. This new role would require her to leave the NCIS team she cherishes and could jeopardize her relationship with Jimmy Palmer. Despite these challenges, Knight accepted the offer for deeply personal reasons.
Rocky Carroll, who portrays Director Vance, explained to TV Insider that the offer was tied to a legacy position her father once held, and that Vance believes Knight is at a crossroads both personally and professionally. A change of environment might benefit her, he suggested.
Binder also teased that other unresolved issues from the Season 21 finale will be addressed in the new season. One such mystery involves Agent Parker, who experienced a troubling flashback while trapped behind a pipe. He saw a young girl, but her identity remains a mystery even to him. Binder confirmed that Parker’s unresolved past will be a significant storyline in Season 22.
Fans will have to wait a bit longer than usual for the new season. CBS has decided to delay the start of its fall season by approximately two weeks to align the premieres of new and returning scripted shows. This shift aims to capitalize on high viewership from NFL games, using sneak peeks to generate buzz for new series. For instance, the MATLOCK reboot will have a sneak peek episode on Sunday, September 22, and THE SUMMIT will follow a week later.
As a result, NCIS Season 22 will premiere on Monday, October 14, with a two-hour special for the new series NCIS: ORIGINS scheduled to air immediately after. This strategy aims to boost the debut of new shows and maintain consistency across the network’s primetime lineup.
