when does ncis return in 2026
NCIS is scheduled to return with new episodes on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 8/7c on CBS.
Quick Scoop
- Return date: Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
- Time slot: 8/7c, keeping its usual primetime position on CBS.
- Season: This is part of NCIS Season 23’s back-half after the winter break.
Why the 2026 Return Is Later
- January 2026 does not have new NCIS episodes because CBS scheduled a longer winter hiatus. The show paused after a December 16, 2025 fall finale that wrapped a major arc for Alden Parker and his mother.
- The return is timed for after the Winter Olympic Games so NCIS can air more consistently without interruptions once it comes back in late February.
Story Threads When NCIS Returns
- The fall finale set up Eleanor Bishop’s surprise return as a fugitive, which is expected to be a key focus when the show comes back in February 2026.
- Ongoing character arcs, including the relationship between Jessica Knight and Jimmy Palmer, are also teed up to continue in the new 2026 episodes.
Quick Facts Table
| Detail | Answer |
|---|---|
| When does NCIS return in 2026? | Tuesday, February 24, 2026 |
| Network | CBS |
| Time | 8/7c primetime slot |
| Season | Season 23, post-winter hiatus |
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