The 5 Biggest Secrets Revealed About NCIS's 500th Episode Celebration Plans

The NCIS flagship series is making television history again, gearing up to air its monumental 500th episode, a milestone achieved by only a handful of scripted primetime dramas. As of this December 2025, the production team and current cast have already wrapped an emotional, celebratory event, setting the stage for one of the most anticipated television events of 2026. This landmark episode is not just a number; it is a promise to fans to honor the show's deep, 20-plus-year legacy while setting a new course for the future of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service team.

Specific details surrounding the plot are being kept tightly under wraps by CBS and the show's producers, but the celebration plans themselves offer huge clues about the episode's theme: a deep dive back into the show's rich history. From the official air date to the confirmed cast and the massive speculation about a Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) return, here is everything you need to know about the plans for the *NCIS* 500th episode.

The NCIS 500th Episode: Air Date, Production, and Current Team Roster

The 500th episode of *NCIS* will officially air on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET/PT on CBS and will be available to stream on Paramount+. This mid-season milestone will be part of the show’s ongoing Season 23, which continues to prove the procedural’s enduring popularity.

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To commemorate the achievement, the current cast and executive producers held a special cake-cutting and on-set celebration on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, which included custom cake figures of the main actors.

Current NCIS Main Cast and Executive Team

The following individuals were present at the celebration and represent the core team leading the series into its next chapter:

• Sean Murray (Special Agent Timothy McGee): The longest-serving current cast member, Murray's character, McGee, has evolved from a probationary agent (Probie) to the team's Senior Field Agent.
• Wilmer Valderrama (Special Agent Nicholas "Nick" Torres): Known for his deep undercover skills and emotional backstory, Torres has been a central figure since Season 14.
• Brian Dietzen (Dr. Jimmy Palmer): Originally the assistant to Ducky Mallard, Palmer has grown into the Chief Medical Examiner and a core emotional center of the team.
• Rocky Carroll (Director Leon Vance): The head of the NCIS agency, Vance provides the necessary gravitas and operational oversight for the team.
• Katrina Law (Special Agent Jessica Knight): The team's newest addition, known for her expertise in hostage negotiation and risk assessment.
• Gary Cole (Special Agent Alden Parker): The current Special Agent in Charge (SAC), Parker took the helm of the team following Gibbs' departure.
• Steven D. Binder (Showrunner/Executive Producer): The creative force steering the ship, Binder is responsible for planning the massive 500th episode.
• Donald P. Bellisario and Don McGill (Co-Creators): The original visionaries who launched the series in 2003.

The Biggest Plot Tease: A Deep Dive into NCIS History

While showrunner Steven D. Binder is keeping the storyline under wraps, the celebration plans and his previous statements confirm the 500th episode will be a significant nod to the show's origins.

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1. Referencing "Yankee White"

A preceding special leading up to the 500th episode specifically referenced "Yankee White," the very first episode of *NCIS* that aired in 2003. This is a massive clue, suggesting the 500th episode may involve a case with parallels to, or direct connections with, the team's inaugural case involving the death of a naval officer aboard Air Force One.

• Topical Authority Entity: "Yankee White" is the pilot episode, which also served as a backdoor pilot on *JAG*, starring Mark Harmon and Michael Weatherly (Anthony DiNozzo).
• Fan Intention: This move is intended to satisfy the curiosity of long-time viewers who crave continuity and callbacks to the early days of the Major Case Response Team (MCRT).

2. The "Same Thought" for Big Episodes

When discussing the planning for the 500th episode, Steven D. Binder stated that his "only early thought is the same thought" he has for all big episodes. This is a clear indication that the episode will prioritize the relationships and personal journeys of the main characters over a sensational, external event. The true celebration lies in the core team dynamic—the "family" that has kept the show running for two decades.

This approach was evident in the show's 450th episode, which focused on a personal storyline for McGee, and the 400th episode, which explored Gibbs and Ducky's first meeting.

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The Return Question: Will Mark Harmon's Gibbs Be Back?

The single biggest question dominating the conversation around the 500th episode is the potential return of former lead, Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, played by Mark Harmon.

Gibbs famously departed the team in Season 19, choosing to stay in Alaska. However, the door was explicitly left open for his return. The 500th episode is the most logical and significant milestone for a cameo or full-fledged appearance.

• The Argument for Gibbs' Return: The episode is focused on legacy and history, and Gibbs is the undisputed foundation of the series. A fleeting appearance, even a phone call or a scene in Alaska, would be a massive gift to the fans and a fitting way to honor the milestone.
• The Obstacle: Mark Harmon has stepped away from the demanding day-to-day schedule of a series lead. Any return would require a carefully crafted storyline that doesn't undermine his character's peaceful Alaskan ending.

3. The Franchise's Unprecedented Scale

While *NCIS* itself hits 500 episodes, the entire *NCIS* franchise—including *NCIS: Los Angeles*, *NCIS: New Orleans*, *NCIS: Hawaiʻi*, and the upcoming *NCIS: Tony & Ziva*—recently celebrated its 1000th episode collectively. This context is crucial because the 500th episode of the flagship show is likely to be a self-contained story, saving any major franchise-wide crossovers for the next collective milestone.

However, the existence of the new *NCIS: Tony & Ziva* spin-off starring Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo means the 500th episode could be used to subtly tease or set up their new series, further connecting the flagship's history to its future.

What Other Former Stars Could Appear?

A milestone episode of this magnitude often brings back beloved faces. Beyond Gibbs, there is a list of former main cast members whose return would ignite fan excitement and boost the episode's celebratory feel:

4. The Long-Shot Cameos

• Michael Weatherly (Anthony DiNozzo): Given his commitment to the new spin-off with Cote de Pablo (Ziva David), a brief appearance to bridge the gap between the two series is highly plausible.
• Pauley Perrette (Abby Sciuto): A fan-favorite forensic scientist, Perrette's return is less likely due to her public departure from the series, but her character, Abby, remains an integral part of the show's history.
• David McCallum (Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard): Following the passing of the beloved actor David McCallum, the 500th episode will undoubtedly include a tribute to Ducky, potentially through a flashback or a meaningful reference by Jimmy Palmer.

5. Honoring the Legacy and the Fans

Ultimately, the celebration plans confirm that the 500th episode is a tribute to the commitment of the viewers. The show's longevity is a direct result of the fanbase, and the creative team has promised that the episode will "honor the show's rich legacy and the fans who have made it a hit."

The episode’s success will be measured by its ability to balance a compelling new case with the emotional weight of two decades of storytelling. It needs to be a love letter to the history of the MCRT, from the early days of Gibbs, DiNozzo, and Kate Todd, to the current team led by Parker and McGee.

The anticipation for March 2026 is building, not just for the case they solve, but for the faces they bring back and the memories they revisit as *NCIS* solidifies its place as a true television phenomenon.