The NCIS Cast: 7 Core Agents & Directors Who Define The NCIS Universe In 2025

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) team has undergone a dramatic transformation, yet its core remains one of the most compelling ensembles on television. As of December 2025, the flagship series continues to thrive, anchored by a blend of long-serving veterans and dynamic new additions who have stepped into the immense void left by Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs. This article provides the most up-to-date breakdown of the main cast, their roles, and the major news surrounding the franchise, including the highly anticipated prequel.

The current iteration of the NCIS Major Case Response Team (MCRT) for Season 22 and the confirmed stars for Season 23 are a testament to the show's enduring ability to evolve. From the "Silver Fox" Special Agent in Charge to the beloved Medical Examiner, this is the definitive list of the actors and characters currently driving the action in the NCIS universe.

The Current NCIS Main Cast: Biographies and Character Profiles (2025)

The current ensemble features a mix of seasoned actors and fan favorites who have taken the reins from the original cast members like Mark Harmon, Michael Weatherly, and Pauley Perrette. Here is the complete list of the core NCIS agents and directors for the latest seasons:

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• Gary Cole as Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) Alden Parker
• Sean Murray as Senior Special Agent Timothy "Tim" McGee
• Wilmer Valderrama as Special Agent Nicholas "Nick" Torres
• Katrina Law as Special Agent Jessica Knight
• Brian Dietzen as Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jimmy Palmer
• Diona Reasonover as Forensic Scientist Kasie Hines
• Rocky Carroll as NCIS Director Leon Vance

Gary Cole: The New Face of Leadership, SSA Alden Parker

Gary Cole joined the cast in Season 19, taking over the leadership role following Gibbs' departure. His character, Alden Parker, is a former FBI agent who brings a different, often more bureaucratic, style of leadership to the MCRT.

• Actor Biography: Born in Park Ridge, Illinois, Cole is a veteran actor with a career spanning decades on stage, film, and television. He began his professional career on stage at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company.
• Key Roles: Before NCIS, Cole was widely known for his roles as Bill Lumbergh in the cult classic film Office Space, as well as roles in Fatal Vision and as Vice President Bob Russell on The West Wing.
• Current News: Season 23 is set to introduce a new layer to Parker’s personal life with the guest casting of Nancy Travis as his sister, potentially exploring more of his pre-NCIS background and family dynamics.

Sean Murray: The Last Original Team Member, SSA Timothy McGee

Sean Murray is the longest-serving cast member currently on the show, having been with NCIS since its first season. His character, Timothy McGee, evolved from a probationary junior agent to a Senior Special Agent and a published author, balancing his tech-savvy skills with field work.

• Actor Biography: Murray has been acting since childhood, with early roles in films like Hocus Pocus. He first appeared in the NCIS universe in a different role on JAG, the show that spawned NCIS.
• Character Arc: McGee's journey—marrying Delilah Fielding and raising a family—represents the stable, human center of the team, often providing a contrast to the more volatile agents.
• Season 22 Dynamics: Recent storylines have focused on McGee's professional challenges, including a tense dynamic with character Gabriel LaRoche, which is expected to continue impacting the team's internal politics.

Wilmer Valderrama: The Undercover Specialist, SA Nicholas "Nick" Torres

Wilmer Valderrama portrays Agent Nick Torres, a former deep-cover operative who struggles to adjust to the structure of a permanent team. His character is known for his intense loyalty and complex emotional life.

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• Actor Biography: Valderrama is instantly recognizable for his breakthrough role as Fez on the popular sitcom That '70s Show, which ran from 1998 to 2006.
• Franchise Future: Valderrama is confirmed to appear in the NCIS spin-off series, signaling his long-term commitment to the franchise beyond the flagship show.
• Fan Focus: Torres’s relationship with Agent Jessica Knight is a major point of interest for fans, who closely follow the "T-Knight" dynamic and its development.

The Essential NCIS Support Team and Directors

The MCRT would be lost without the crucial support provided by the Chief Medical Examiner, the Forensic Scientist, and the Director. These roles provide both comic relief and the necessary technical expertise to solve cases.

Brian Dietzen: The Heart of the Team, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jimmy Palmer

Brian Dietzen's character, Dr. Jimmy Palmer, began as the assistant medical examiner to the late Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard (played by David McCallum). Following Ducky's death and McCallum's passing in 2023, Palmer has fully taken over the role, becoming the emotional core of the team.

• Actor Biography: Dietzen has been with the show since 2004, making him one of the longest-serving actors. He was promoted to a series regular in Season 10.
• Personal Life: Unlike his character’s sometimes tumultuous love life, Dietzen is happily married to his wife, Kelly Dietzen, for over 20 years, a detail often shared by fans who appreciate the actor’s stable personal life.
• Character Development: Palmer is no longer just the quirky assistant; he is now a vital, empathetic leader who often provides psychological support to the agents.

Katrina Law: The Tactical Expert, Special Agent Jessica Knight

Katrina Law joined the cast in Season 18 as Agent Jessica Knight, a highly trained REACT (Regional Enforcement Action Capabilities Team) agent. She quickly became a series regular, bringing a sharp, tactical edge to the team.

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• Actor Biography: Law is well-known to TV procedural and fantasy fans for her previous major roles as Mira on the Starz series Spartacus: Blood and Sand and as the formidable Nyssa al Ghul on The CW’s Arrow.
• Character Role: Knight’s experience in hostage negotiation and high-risk operations adds a new dimension to the MCRT’s field capabilities, often leading to complex, action-packed storylines.

Diona Reasonover: The Forensic Dynamo, Forensic Scientist Kasie Hines

Diona Reasonover took over the forensic scientist role from the beloved Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette). Her character, Kasie Hines, is a quirky, brilliant scientist who uses her sharp wit and cutting-edge technology to crack cases.

• Actor Biography: Reasonover is also an accomplished writer, having been nominated for a Writers Guild of America Award. She joined NCIS in Season 16 after recurring in three episodes the previous season.
• Character Transition: Her character has successfully navigated the challenge of replacing an iconic figure, bringing a fresh, modern energy to the forensics lab.

Rocky Carroll: The Steady Hand, NCIS Director Leon Vance

Rocky Carroll has portrayed NCIS Director Leon Vance since Season 5, becoming a permanent fixture in the show's hierarchy. He is the stern but fair leader who oversees the entire agency, often clashing with—and protecting—his agents.

• Actor Biography: Carroll is a veteran of the stage and screen, also known for his role as Joey Emerson on the Fox comedy-drama Roc. He has also directed multiple episodes of NCIS.
• Director Role: Vance's character provides the necessary connection to Washington D.C. politics and the Department of the Navy, adding a layer of high-stakes drama to the procedural.

The Future of the NCIS Franchise: Origins and Returning Legends

The biggest news for the NCIS universe in 2025 revolves around the expansion of the franchise and the return of a legendary figure. The announcement of the prequel series, NCIS: Origins, has generated immense excitement among long-time viewers and new fans alike.

NCIS: Origins and the Return of Gibbs

The prequel series, NCIS: Origins, will focus on the early career of Leroy Jethro Gibbs in 1990. While Mark Harmon stepped away from his starring role as Gibbs in Season 19, he is set to return to the franchise in a major capacity.

• Mark Harmon’s Role: Harmon will serve as the executive producer and the narrator for the new series, providing the voice-over that guides the story of the young agent.
• The New Gibbs: The younger Gibbs will be portrayed by actor Austin Stowell, who is tasked with bringing the iconic character to life in his pre-MCRT days.
• Topical Authority: This move solidifies the franchise's topical authority by connecting the current series with its foundational lore, satisfying the curiosity of fans who have always wondered about Gibbs' early life and the origins of his famous "Gibbs' Rules."

Speculation on Returning Characters and Spinoff Crossovers

As the NCIS universe continues to grow with multiple spinoffs (including *NCIS: Sydney* and the upcoming Tony/Ziva series), the possibility of familiar faces returning to the flagship show remains high. Recent updates have confirmed the return of a major *NCIS: Los Angeles* star in Season 22, fueling fan theories about a potential crossover event.

The transition from the original cast members—including the dynamic duo of Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) and Ziva David (Cote de Pablo)—to the current team has been seamless, yet the legacy of the original agents, like the late David McCallum as Ducky, continues to influence the show's narrative and character dynamics. The current cast is not merely replacing legends; they are building upon a rich 20+ year history, ensuring the NCIS MCRT remains a fresh, compelling, and enduring force in television.