Who Will Be the New NCIS Director?

As of March 2026 , there's no official announcement about a new permanent NCIS Director replacing Leon Vance (played by Rocky Carroll). However, the show is hinting at major changes.

What's Happening Right Now

In the 500th episode (aired March 24, 2026), Director Vance drops a bombshell: NCIS is being shut down. This has sparked intense speculation among fans about whether Vance will finally retire or be replaced.

Recent Developments:

  • Season 22 introduced Gabriel LaRoche (Seamus Dever) as the new Deputy Director of NCIS
  • In Season 21, Episode 7 , Vance was shot and temporarily named Tim McGee as acting director
  • Spoilers suggest there's "something in the water " with Vance, hinting at a potential exit

Fan Theories & Forum Buzz

Reddit and TV forums are buzzing with predictions:

"Will McGee become the next NCIS director? He's been chosen twice before as acting director and really suits the role." — Reddit user

Other theories include:

  • Alden Parker (Gary Cole) could take over
  • A surprise return from a past character (like Jenny Shepard's successor lineage)
  • LaRoche might be positioned as Vance's replacement, though his suspicious introduction raises questions

Quick Timeline

Event| Status
---|---
Leon Vance| Current Director (since 2008) 10
Gabriel LaRoche| Deputy Director (2025–present) 9
Tim McGee| Acting Director (temporary, twice) 1
NCIS Shutdown| Announced in Episode 500 (March 24, 2026) 6

What's Next?

With NCIS facing a shutdown storyline, the show may be setting up a major leadership shakeup. Whether Vance retires, is reassigned, or the agency is restructured remains to be seen in upcoming episodes of Season 22. Stay tuned—this could be the end of an era for the long-running series.

TL;DR: No new NCIS director has been officially named yet. Leon Vance is still in charge, but with NCIS facing shutdown in Episode 500 and a new Deputy Director in place, a change could be coming soon. Fan favorite Tim McGee remains a top candidate based on past acting director roles. Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.