Fans of the long-running military police procedural series “NCIS” have been eagerly anticipating the return of the show for its 21st season, but recent developments have thrown a wrench into the schedule, leaving viewers wondering when they can expect its official comeback to CBS.
Ever since the announcement of the show’s renewal, fans have been buzzing on social media, eager to learn the potential release date for the upcoming season. Unfortunately, the news isn’t what fans were hoping for, as it’s now clear that the series won’t be making its return in 2023.
The reason for this delay can be attributed to the ongoing dual strike, which includes the 2023 Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike and the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. These strikes have caused significant disruptions in the entertainment industry, leading major networks like CBS to make major changes to their 2023-24 fall broadcast schedules.
CBS has decided to postpone the release of scripted shows, including “NCIS Season 21,” until next year. In the absence of new scripted content, the network plans to fill its fall schedule with unscripted shows and reruns of various series. The strikes are expected to continue until at least October 2023, further complicating the scheduling of beloved shows like “NCIS.”
To solidify this unfortunate delay, sources from the show, including writers and cast members, have confirmed that the strikes are far from resolved, with ongoing discussions expected to extend over an extended period. Consequently, it’s safe to say that “NCIS Season 21” won’t be gracing CBS screens in September 2023, and the possibility of a return in the remaining months of 2023 seems unlikely at this point.
