NCIS season 22: next episode and everything we know

Wilmer Valderrama, Sean Murray, Katrina Law, Gary Cole and Brian Dietzen in NCIS (Image credit: Robert Voets/CBS)

Each of the major networks has its long-running, flagship series. For ABC, it's Grey's Anatomy, on NBC it's the Law & Order franchise, particularly SVU. For CBS, it is NCIS, which continues to roll along with NCIS season 22.

The love for NCIS isn't dwindling either, as CBS reported that NCIS season 21 was the second-most viewed show on the network for the 2023-2024 season, only trailing new addition Tracker. Add in the fact that the NCIS franchise (including NCIS and its various spinoffs) hit the 1,000-episode mark last season and CBS is adding a brand new spinoff, NCIS: Origins, to its slate, NCIS remains one of the biggest hits on TV.

With that in mind, here is everything you need to know about the return of NCIS season 22.

NCIS season 22 next episode

A new episode of NCIS season 22 airs on Monday, December 9, at 9 pm ET/PT on CBS. Here is the synopsis for the episode, titled "Out of Control":

"NCIS investigates a murder related to a car that begins driving on its own. Also, Parker is still seeing visions of Lily."

Airing on CBS, viewers wanting to watch NCIS live need to have access to the broadcast channel, which is available through all traditional pay-TV providers, receivable through TV antennas or carried by some live TV streaming services, including Fubo, Hulu with Live TV and YouTube TV. The entire run of NCIS episodes are available to stream on-demand on Paramount Plus. Paramount Plus with Showtime subscribers are also able to watch the latest episodes live on the platform.

NCIS season 22 cast

NCIS is a true ensemble piece, as a group of actors make up the NCIS team that we follow each week. The official NCIS season 22 cast has not been confirmed at this time, but the main roster for NCIS includes Sean Murray as Timothy McGee, Wilmer Valderrama as Nick Torres, Brian Dietzen as Jimmy Palmer, Gary Cole as Alden Parker, Rocky Carroll as Leon Vance and Diona Reasonover as Kasie Hines.

The big question after the NCIS season 21 finale is if Katrina Law's Jessica Knight will return for the new season? The character was presented with a new job opportunity across the country that she opted to take in the finale, meaning she could be leaving the NCIS team. However, both Law and NCIS executive producer Steven D. Binder were noncommittal on whether or not this definitely meant Law was leaving NCIS in an interview with TV Line.

We'll keep this page updated as any additional information comes in about NCIS season 22 casting.

NCIS season 22 plot

NCIS is a crime-of-the-week show following a team for the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, with each episode typically dealing with a new distinct crime. The show's longer storylines typically deal with the relationship of the characters.

With that in mind, there are a couple of things from the NCIS season 21 finale that could be important to what happens in NCIS season 22. First, as we already mentioned, the possibility that Jessica Knight is leaving the NCIS team. If Knight exits, not only will the team be forced to operate without her, they could very well have to adjust to a new member joining the team.

Another bit from the season 21 finale that could be picked up in NCIS season 22 is Parker's hallucination. While stranded on the decommissioned ship, Parker hallucinates and sees a childhood memory where he was playing hide-and-seek with a girl named Lily. Finding out who Lily is and what relationship she has with Parker could be a storyline next season.