On Tuesday, March 24, 2026, CBS’ NCIS will reach an achievement few scripted primetime dramas ever achieve: its 500th episode.
And NCIS‘ 500th episode isn’t just a number. It represents more than two decades of storytelling, character evolution, and a format that has remained remarkably consistent while adapting to changing television landscapes. Since premiering in 2003, the CBS Original series has become one of the most-watched dramas on television and a pillar of crime storytelling.
As NCIS launches its 500th episode, we’ve got a chance to look back – at how the show began, the moments that defined its run, the cast eras that shaped its identity, and the global NCIS franchise it helped build. It’s also a reminder that every episode of NCIS – from the earliest investigations led by Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) to the current team – remain available to revisit. Every episode of NCIS streams on Paramount+.
What to expect from the NCIS 500th episode
As of publication, information for the NCIS episode set to air on Tuesday, March 25, 2026 – the show’s 500th episode – has not been released.
But a milestone is a milestone. For longtime viewers, the episode marks a moment of reflection. For newer audiences, it’s a fresh chapter in an ongoing story.
Where to watch NCIS
NCIS airs on CBS and streams on Paramount+. CBS airs the current season, NCIS Season 23. New episodes launch at 8 PM, ET/PT on Tuesdays.
With a Paramount+ subscription to the Paramount+ Premium plan, you can stream new NCIS episodes as they air live on CBS. With a Paramount+ subscription to any plan, you can stream new NCIS episodes on demand on the day after they air. And that’s not all. When you have a Paramount+ subscription (any plan), you can stream NCIS from the beginning – all seasons stream on Paramount, starting with, yes, NCIS Season 1.
Here’s a quick look at what Paramount+ offers the NCIS fan:
- Live streaming of new episodes (Paramount+ Premium plan only)
- On-demand access the next day after new episodes air on CBS
- Past seasons available for on-demand streaming
Whether you’re revisiting early episodes or catching up on the current season, the full legacy of NCIS is accessible.
How NCIS began
NCIS began in 2003.The CBS drama was a spinoff of JAG; its world was introduced in a pair of JAG Season 8 episodes, “Ice Queen” and “Meltdown.” The episodes, collectively a backdoor pilot, focus on a team of special agents within the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. In them, Mark Harmon makes his first appearance as Leroy Jethro Gibbs; other future NCIS favorites also make their debuts.
NCIS was created by Donald P. Bellisario and Don McGill. The show’s premise is airtight: A close-knit team investigates crimes connected to the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.
The original core lineup defines the show’s tone immediately. Harmon’s Gibbs anchors the stories as the quietly intense team leader guided by his now iconic “Gibbs Rules.” He’s joined by Senior Field Agent Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly), Secret Service-turned-NCIS agent Kate Todd (Sasha Alexander), forensic specialist Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette), and Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard (David McCallum). Timothy McGee (Sean Murray), originally a recurring character, evolves from a probationary agent into one of the team’s most steady and reliable presences.
The cast’s chemistry – equal parts sharp banter and deep loyalty – gives the series emotional weight from the start.
The moments that define 500 episodes
Reaching 500 episodes isn’t just about volume – it’s about the moments that stay with viewers long after the credits roll. Over more than two decades, NCIS has become part of weekly routines, living rooms, and shared conversations. The show has delivered character exits that felt personal, storylines that unfolded over years, and leadership shifts that marked the end of eras. Each change carries emotional weight, not just because of what happened, but because of how long audiences have lived with these characters.
Through loss, loyalty, humor, and quiet resilience, the series built something rare: a crime drama that grew up alongside its viewers while holding tightly to its values.
The evolution of the team
From the beginning, NCIS has been built around a team dynamic. The original lineup – Gibbs, Tony, Kate, Abby, Ducky, and McGee – establish a rhythm that balances humor with gravity.
As some of the original cast members departed, the series faced a pivotal test: Could it evolve without losing its identity?
The answer came through careful transitions. McGee grows from a probationary agent into a seasoned investigator. New agents with distinct personalities join the team, and leadership eventually shifts from Gibbs to Alden Parker (Gary Cole). Rather than replacing the past, the series reframed it – allowing legacy to inform the present.
In addition to Aiden Parker and McGee, the NCIS team currently boasts:
- Leon Vance (played by Rocky Carroll)
- Jimmy Palmer (played by Brian Dietzen)
- Nick Torres (played by Wilmer Valderrama)
- Kasie Hines (played by Diona Reasonover)
- Jessica Knight (played by Katrina Law)
Expanding into a global franchise
The success of NCIS extends far beyond its Washington, D.C. setting. Over time, it inspired one of the most expansive procedural universes in television. Here’s a look at all the NCIS spinoffs:
- NCIS: Los Angeles (2009-2023)
- NCIS: New Orleans (2014-2021)
- NCIS: Hawai’i (2021-2024)
- NCIS: Sydney (2023-present)
- NCIS: Origins (2024-present)
- NCIS: Tony & Ziva (2025)
The CBS Original drama NCIS: Origins, now in its second season, is the show for NCIS fans who need their Gibbs fix: Set in the 1990s, the show stars Austin Stowel as the younger Gibbs; Harmon narrates.
All episodes of NCIS: New Orleans, NCIS: Sydney, NCIS: Origins, and the Paramount+ original NCIS: Tony & Ziva stream on Paramount+. Additionally, the still-running shows NCIS: Sydney and NCIS: Origins air new episodes on CBS. You can watch new episodes of NCIS: Sydney and NCIS: Origins as they air live on CBS with a Paramount+ subscription (Paramount+ Premium plan only), and/or you can watch them on demand on the day after they air with a Paramount+ subscription (any plan).
For more, read our guide to all the NCIS shows you can stream on Paramount+.
NCIS, then and now
When NCIS premiered in 2003, the television landscape looked very different. Broadcast networks dominated primetime. Streaming didn’t exist in its current form. Procedural dramas were appointment viewing.
The early seasons of NCIS lean heavily into case-of-the-week storytelling. Episodes move briskly, grounded in investigative detail and anchored by the steady presence of Gibbs. Humor – often delivered through DiNozzo – balance the tension, while characters like Sciuto and Ducky added warmth and personality.
Today’s version of the series reflects the evolution of television itself. Story arcs stretch across seasons. Emotional backstories play a more prominent role. The leadership dynamic has shifted to Parker, bringing a slightly different tone while maintaining the team-first philosophy.
Still, the core remains unchanged. The context still revolves around collaboration. Loyalty still drives decisions. Cases still unfold with methodical precision. McGee now stands as a living bridge between eras – a nod to the series building upon its history.
That balance – honoring the past while adapting to the present – may be the most impressive cornerstone of all.
And the NCIS story just keeps going: CBS has renewed the drama for a 24th season.
NCIS
Watch Now
