NCIS season 23 wraps up with a gripping cliffhanger, leaving fans eager for answers in the upcoming season 24. In the May 12 finale, Special Agent Nick Torres urges Special Agent Timothy McGee’s newly discovered son, Mateo, to drop his gun after catching him accessing NCIS computers suspiciously. “They could be watching,” Mateo warns, just before a shot echoes and the screen fades, sparking questions about who got hit and what secrets Mateo hides from McGee.

The Cliffhanger Unpacked

Showrunner Steven D. Binder confirms tension escalates upon return. “Someone was hit. I can confirm that,” Binder states. He rules out fatalities, noting, “I sort of had my fill this season of killing people. It’s much more interesting when someone’s alive and been shot than when they’re dead.” Binder references past drama, like Gibbs shooting McGee, as more engaging with survivors.

Season 24 Return and Schedule Updates

Season 24 launches in October on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET, sticking to its slot. Post-episode lineup shifts: NCIS: New York debuts immediately after, followed by NCIS: Origins entering its third season.

Spotlight on NCIS: New York

LL Cool J reprises Sam Hanna from NCIS: Los Angeles in NCIS: New York, partnering with Scott Caan’s roguish agent. The series follows Hanna back in New York City, leading a team on high-stakes missions to protect vital ports. Caan, known for Detective Danny Williams on Hawaii Five-0, joins for this NCIS: LA crossover extension. Premiere ties to NCIS season 24’s fall finale.