If you just sat down with your snacks ready for a new NCIS case, I hate to be the bearer of bad news. Honestly, the Tuesday night lineup is a total ghost town right now. You’ve probably noticed that the usual crew—Gary Cole, Sean Murray, and the rest of the MCRT—isn't popping up with a fresh episode on CBS tonight, January 17, 2026.
It’s weird. We’re deep into Season 23, and that December cliffhanger involving Eleanor Bishop left everyone spinning. But if you’re looking for the NCIS cast for tonight, you’re mostly going to find them in reruns or on cable syndication.
Where is the NCIS Cast Tonight?
The "mothership" is currently on a massive winter hiatus. CBS decided to bench the new episodes for the entire month of January. Why? It’s basically a strategic play. With the Winter Olympics hogging the spotlight, the network doesn't want to waste high-stakes episodes when half the country is watching skiing or figure skating.
If you flip to ION or Lifetime, you'll see some familiar faces. ION is actually running a marathon today. You can catch the 2024 milestone episode "A Thousand Yards" or the Texas-themed "Prime Cut." It's a nice trip down memory lane, but it isn't the "tonight" update most fans are hunting for.
New episodes of Season 23 are officially locked away until Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
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Wait, didn't they say February? Yeah, they did. But the latest schedule update pushed things back another week because of the State of the Union address. It’s annoying, I know.
The Core Season 23 Cast
When the show finally crawls back into its 8:00 PM slot, the roster is staying solid. We aren't looking at any major exits mid-season, which is a relief given how many people we've lost over 23 years.
- Gary Cole as Alden Parker: He’s still the lead, dealing with the fallout of his father's murder.
- Sean Murray as Timothy McGee: The veteran of the group. He’s been here since Season 1, and honestly, he's the glue.
- Wilmer Valderrama as Nick Torres: Still bringing the muscle and the occasional undercover chaos.
- Katrina Law as Jessica Knight: She’s currently juggling the "NCIS Elite" storyline, which is where things get spicy.
- Brian Dietzen as Jimmy Palmer: Our favorite medical examiner who somehow keeps his optimism intact.
- Diona Reasonover as Kasie Hines: Handling the lab with her usual frantic brilliance.
- Rocky Carroll as Director Leon Vance: Keeping the bureaucratic wolves at bay.
The Eleanor Bishop Shock
The biggest reason people are searching for the NCIS cast for tonight is that final scene from December. Emily Wickersham actually showed up. For those who forgot, Special Agent Bishop left way back in Season 18 to do "off-the-books" work with Ziva’s old handler.
She was spotted watching the team from a distance in a graveyard. Talk about dramatic.
Showrunner Steven D. Binder has been pretty vocal about this. He told TVLine that Bishop has "done something wrong." It’s not just a friendly visit. Jessica Knight is officially tasked with tracking her down as her first "Elite" mission.
Who Else is Coming Back?
Brian Dietzen has been teasing the 500th episode like crazy. That milestone airs on March 17, 2026. He mentioned "familiar faces" are popping up. We’ve already seen Mark Harmon (Gibbs) and Muse Watson (Mike Franks) appear in the NCIS: Origins crossover recently.
There are massive rumors about Tony and Ziva making an appearance to help celebrate the 500-episode mark. Since their own spinoff NCIS: Tony & Ziva was reportedly not moving forward for a second season, fans are desperate to see them back on the main stage.
What to Do While You Wait
Since there's no new episode tonight, you've got options.
- Check the Prequel: NCIS: Origins is also on hiatus, but you can catch up on Paramount+ to see the 1990s version of Gibbs.
- Streaming: Every single episode—all 490+ of them—is on Paramount+.
- Syndication: As mentioned, ION and Lifetime are basically the "All NCIS, All The Time" networks on Saturdays.
The wait for Episode 10, titled "The Choice," is going to be long. But seeing Knight hunt down Bishop is probably the most energized the show has felt in a few years.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Mark your calendar for March 3, 2026, for the return of Season 23.
- Set a DVR alert for March 17 for the 500th episode celebration.
- Watch the Season 23 fall finale ("Heaven and Nature") again to spot the clues Bishop left behind.