NCIS continues to thrive as it gears up for its 22nd season, with fans eager to see what’s next for the long-running series. Showrunner Steven D. Binder recently shared insights on the upcoming season and what to expect following the season 21 finale.
“We don’t have a slogan yet, but ‘take it to the limit’ is what I’d say for Season 22,” Binder told Parade, hinting at the bold direction the series will take. He promised a mix of closure and new cliffhangers, revealing that while some storylines were resolved, others were left open to keep fans on edge.
Season 21 ended with a dramatic cliffhanger involving Special Agent Jessica Knight (Katrina Law) and Agent Aldean Parker (Gary Cole). The duo was stranded on a sinking ship, and while Knight managed to escape, Parker’s fate was grim. Knight was then offered a significant job at Camp Pendleton, leaving fans wondering about her future and its impact on her relationship with Dr. Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen).
As for what’s next for Knight, Binder hinted at unresolved storylines. “We’ve set something up there,” he told TVLine, keeping details under wraps but suggesting that Knight’s departure might not be permanent. “We’ve had characters look like they were leaving only to return, and others who just disappear, like Gibbs [Mark Harmon],” Binder noted.
Returning cast members for Season 22 include Law, Cole, Carroll, Dietzen, Sean Murray (Timothy McGee), Wilmer Valderrama (Nick Torres), and Diona Reasonover (Kasie Hines).
Mark Harmon, who will narrate and executive produce NCIS: Origins, was less definitive about reprising his role as Gibbs on the original show. “I’ve been asked a lot about returning,” Harmon said at the Television Critics Association summer press tour. “I’ve always let the writers decide the direction.”
