I’m starting to believe that NCIS Season 22 may be preparing to bid farewell to Jessica Knight, especially after a recent update from actor Katrina Law. Following the NCIS Season 21 finale, where Jessica Knight accepted a promotion to Chief REACT Training Officer—a position that would take her to California’s Camp Pendleton—speculation began to swirl about whether her departure was real or just another of the series’ famous cliffhangers. For example, at the start of NCIS Season 4, it seemed like Mark Harmon was going to retire his role as Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
Over the past few months, there have been some hints about Katrina Law’s future on the show. She has continued to post about NCIS on social media, which might be part of her contract that extends into NCIS Season 22, even if she is leaving. While many fans hope that she’ll stay, I can’t help but notice the signs pointing towards her exit, and Law’s latest update offers another significant clue. One of the most compelling indicators that Jessica Knight may be leaving is how thoughtfully NCIS has been setting up her story for a proper sendoff in Season 22.
Katrina Law’s Hair Hints at a Potential Departure In an Instagram post from August 2024, Katrina Law was still sporting her lighter hair color, despite the fact that filming for NCIS Season 22 is already underway. This small but telling detail suggests that the actor may be moving on from her role as Jessica Knight, who has consistently worn some variant of dark brown hair throughout her four seasons on the show. The out-of-character hairstyle, combined with the relaxed vibe of her post, hints that she might not be on set, which adds to the speculation about her departure.
Will NCIS Really Write Out Jessica Knight in Season 22? In some ways, I think the show might have already begun writing her out. During the shortened 10-episode Season 21, likely due to the writer’s strike, a significant amount of airtime was dedicated to a subplot about Jessica Knight’s potential evolution, which seemed to be setting the stage for her exit. Given the focus on her character’s development, it feels like the showrunners were preparing for her farewell, which could play out fully in Season 22. That said, there are still some lingering questions about how this will unfold.
While it would be sad to see Katrina Law leave NCIS, it’s possible that she has personal or professional reasons for stepping away. Many actors in her position have cited the grueling hours or a desire to explore new projects as reasons for leaving long-running series. Law has recently taken on her first film role since joining NCIS, starring in Werewolves (2024), which is set to release in December. Despite the uncertainty, Law appears to be in a tranquil state of mind, which may indicate that she’s content with whatever comes next in her career.
