The NCIS Cast: 7 Stars Returning For Season 23 And The Shocking New Face Joining The Team

The world of Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) continues to be one of television’s most enduring procedural dramas, with the flagship series heading into its 23rd season. As of late 2025, the team dynamic has evolved significantly since the days of Gibbs, yet the core of the Washington D.C. Major Case Response Team remains strong, anchored by a blend of veteran talent and newer, dynamic agents. Fans are eager for the latest updates on the returning ensemble and any surprising new additions that will shake up the squad room.

This comprehensive guide provides a fresh, up-to-the-minute look at the entire main cast confirmed for the new season, their character profiles, and a deep dive into the latest behind-the-scenes secrets, including a major guest star joining the roster. The current cast features familiar faces like Sean Murray and Wilmer Valderrama, who have stepped up to lead the series into its next chapter, ensuring the legacy of the longest-running show in the franchise continues to thrive.

Meet the Main NCIS Cast: Full Biography and Profile for Season 23

The success of NCIS rests on the shoulders of its talented ensemble. Here is the complete list of the main cast members returning for Season 23, along with their key biographical details and their character’s crucial role in the team.

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• Gary Cole as Supervisory Special Agent Alden Parker
  • Born: September 20, 1956, Park Ridge, Illinois.
  • Career Highlights: Before taking over as the team leader from Mark Harmon’s Gibbs, Cole was known for iconic roles in *Office Space*, *The West Wing*, and *Veep*, earning an Emmy nomination for the latter.
  • NCIS Role: Parker is a former FBI agent who took over the reins of the MCRT. His character is known for his quirky, less traditional approach to investigations compared to Gibbs, and he is a key figure in the series’ current hierarchy.
• Sean Murray as Special Agent Timothy McGee
  • Born: November 15, 1977, Bethesda, Maryland.
  • Career Highlights: Murray began his career as a childhood actor, appearing in films like *Hocus Pocus* and the TV series *Harts of the West*. He is the longest-serving cast member of the show.
  • NCIS Role: McGee started as a probationary agent and "probie," evolving into a Senior Special Agent, a published author, and the technical backbone of the team. His long tenure makes him the de facto veteran of the squad.
• Wilmer Valderrama as Special Agent Nick Torres
  • Born: January 30, 1980, Miami, Florida.
  • Career Highlights: Valderrama achieved early fame as Fez on *That '70s Show*. He is also a producer and television personality.
  • NCIS Role: Torres is an undercover specialist with a troubled past, known for his impulsive nature and deep loyalty to his team. His character provides a blend of action and emotional depth.
• Katrina Law as Special Agent Jessica Knight
  • Born: September 30, 1985, West New York, New Jersey.
  • Career Highlights: Law is recognized for her roles as Mira on *Spartacus: Blood and Sand* and Nyssa al Ghul on *Arrow*.
  • NCIS Role: Knight is a former REACT (Regional Enforcement Action Capabilities Team) agent who is highly trained in negotiation and field operations. She is currently in a relationship with Dr. Jimmy Palmer.
• Brian Dietzen as Dr. Jimmy Palmer
  • Born: November 14, 1977, Barrington, Illinois.
  • Career Highlights: Dietzen has been a part of the show since 2004, initially as a recurring role. He has also directed an episode of NCIS.
  • NCIS Role: Originally the assistant medical examiner to Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard, Palmer has taken over as the Chief Medical Examiner, providing comic relief and emotional grounding for the team.
• Diona Reasonover as Forensic Scientist Kasie Hines
  • Born: January 6, 1992, Detroit, Michigan.
  • Career Highlights: Reasonover is an actress and writer, known for her work on *Clipped* and as a writer for *I Love You, America with Sarah Silverman*.
  • NCIS Role: Kasie Hines replaced the beloved Abby Sciuto as the team's forensic scientist in 2018. Her character is a brilliant, quick-witted, and often fashion-forward member of the MCRT support staff.
• Rocky Carroll as NCIS Director Leon Vance
  • Born: July 8, 1963, Cincinnati, Ohio.
  • Career Highlights: A veteran of stage, film, and television, Carroll previously starred in *Chicago Hope* and *Roc*. He has also directed several episodes of NCIS.
  • NCIS Role: Director Vance oversees the entire agency and is the MCRT's direct superior. His character is a constant source of authority, navigating complex political and operational challenges.

The Latest NCIS Season 23 Cast Update: A New Face and the Parker Family Twist

The most recent and freshest update for the upcoming 23rd season involves a significant guest star joining the cast to explore the personal life of Supervisory Special Agent Alden Parker.

The veteran actress Nancy Travis is set to join the cast in a guest role as Agent Parker’s sister. This casting decision indicates a deeper dive into Parker’s backstory, moving beyond his professional life and into his family dynamics. Nancy Travis is a highly recognizable face, known for her roles in *Last Man Standing* and *Three Men and a Baby*. Her addition is a major event for the series, promising to reveal new layers to Gary Cole’s character, Alden Parker, and potentially setting up a new recurring family entity in the NCIS universe.

This development is a classic NCIS move, mirroring how the show has previously introduced family members of key agents, such as the daughters of Gibbs and Vance, to create high-stakes emotional storylines. Fans are already speculating on the nature of their relationship and what secrets the sibling dynamic might unearth.

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Behind-the-Scenes Secrets, Salaries, and the Enduring Legacy of the NCIS Cast

With over two decades on the air, *NCIS* has accumulated a vast amount of behind-the-scenes trivia and a legacy of cast transitions that continue to interest fans. Understanding the show’s production and financial structure adds layers to its topical authority.

The Surprising Truth About NCIS Filming Locations

Despite being set in Washington D.C., the primary *NCIS* headquarters and most interior scenes are actually filmed on soundstages in Santa Clarita, California. The production team uses clever camera work and establishing shots of the nation's capital to maintain the illusion. The exterior of the NCIS headquarters is often represented by the recognizable Navy Yard building, though the bulk of the work is done thousands of miles away.

The various spin-offs, such as *NCIS: Los Angeles* and *NCIS: New Orleans*, were filmed on location in their respective cities, but the flagship show has always relied on its California base, including the famed "Gibbs' Diner" set, which is also located in Santa Clarita.

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The Richest Stars: Cast Salaries and Net Worth Entities

The longevity of *NCIS* has resulted in high salaries for its long-serving cast members, creating some of the wealthiest stars in television. The show's financial details are a major part of its legacy:

• Mark Harmon (Leroy Jethro Gibbs): Even after his departure, Harmon remains the highest-paid star, reportedly earning around $525,000 per episode in his final seasons, plus a significant share of the show's profits as an executive producer. His total net worth is the highest among all cast members.
• Sean Murray (Timothy McGee): As the current longest-running star, Sean Murray’s salary is reported to be around $300,000 per episode as of 2024, reflecting his seniority and importance to the series.
• Pauley Perrette (Abby Sciuto): At her peak, the beloved forensic scientist was earning approximately $200,000 per episode.
• Wilmer Valderrama (Nick Torres): Valderrama’s per-episode salary is reported to be around $100,000.

The Infamous Behind-the-Scenes Tension

While the cast is often portrayed as a close-knit family, the show was not without its drama. The departure of fan-favorite Pauley Perrette (Abby Sciuto) was reportedly due to a strained relationship with lead actor Mark Harmon. The tension escalated following an incident where Harmon's dog bit a crew member, leading to unrest on the set. Perrette voiced her concerns, which ultimately led to her decision to leave the series after 15 seasons.

Despite this, Harmon, who also served as an Executive Producer, was known for his professionalism and his influence behind the scenes, often setting the tone for the entire production. His presence, even after his character's exit, has continued to shape the legacy of the show.

The Evolving Landscape of the NCIS Universe

The enduring popularity of the *NCIS* cast has led to a constantly expanding universe, adding to the show’s topical authority. The series has spawned multiple successful spin-offs, including *NCIS: Los Angeles*, *NCIS: New Orleans*, and *NCIS: Hawaiʻi*. The latest addition to the franchise is the prequel series, *NCIS: Origins*, which explores the early life of a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs in 1990.

The current Season 23 ensemble of Sean Murray, Wilmer Valderrama, Katrina Law, Gary Cole, and the rest of the MCRT team has proven that the series can successfully transition from its original cast, including iconic figures like Michael Weatherly (Tony DiNozzo) and Cote de Pablo (Ziva David), to a new generation of agents. The addition of a high-profile guest star like Nancy Travis in the upcoming season ensures that the show remains fresh, unpredictable, and a must-watch for millions of viewers worldwide.