NCIS season 24 cast changes confirmed with major shake-up ahead

NCIS season 24 moves forward with significant cast changes following the renewal announcement in January 2026, with veteran actor Rocky Carroll exiting the series after 18 seasons in a major shake-up confirmed during the show’s 500th episode milestone.

Major Cast Exit Marks Turning Point

Rocky Carroll’s departure represents one of the most significant cast changes in NCIS history. The actor’s character, Director Leon Vance, was shot to death by a corrupt agent during the show’s landmark 500th episode, which aired on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Carroll had been a series regular since Season 6, after joining in a recurring capacity during Season 5. The decision came from executive producer Steven D. Binder, who approached Carroll about the storyline to create “shockwaves through the TV community and the fan base.” In an interview with TVLine, Carroll revealed he learned about his character’s death just “two episodes before we shot it,” noting the episode was filmed in late November and early December 2025.

Looking Ahead to Season 24

Despite the exit, NCIS season 24 will move forward with the core ensemble intact. The returning cast includes Sean Murray as Special Agent Timothy McGee, Wilmer Valderrama as Special Agent Nick Torres, Katrina Law as Special Agent Jessica Knight, Brian Dietzen as Dr. Jimmy Palmer, Diona Reasonover as Forensic Specialist Kasie Hines, and Gary Cole in a supporting role. The network’s decision to renew all three NCIS franchises—the original series, NCIS: Origins, and NCIS: Sydney—signals CBS’s continued confidence in the procedural universe. Carroll reflected on his long tenure, saying that while he would have loved to be there for the series finale, “after 18 seasons, I couldn’t have asked for more.” He also noted that his character “really kind of came full circle,” with the 500th episode serving as a tribute to the role he shaped over two decades of television.

Sources

• Deadline — NCIS Season 24 renewal announcement and cast information
• Deadline — Rocky Carroll’s exit in 500th episode with interview details