NCIS Season 24 Cast Changes Announced, Confirming Two Major Exits and One Returning Fan-Favorite
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a development that has sent shockwaves through the television industry, CBS has officially confirmed significant cast changes for the upcoming 24th season of the long-running procedural drama *NCIS*. According to an internal network announcement released today, the series will bid farewell to two key cast members while welcoming back a familiar face, altering the core dynamic of the Gibbs-led team.
The network confirmed that actors Wilmer Valderrama (Special Agent Nick Torres) and Brian Dietzen (Dr. Jimmy Palmer) will not return as series regulars for the new season, citing creative direction shifts and contractual conclusions. Their departures mark the end of an era following the exit of longtime star Mark Harmon in Season 19. Simultaneously, CBS revealed that actress Cote de Pablo, who portrayed the beloved Ziva David, will rejoin the cast in a recurring capacity, a move widely speculated after her recent guest appearances.
What are the specific changes? The exits of Valderrama and Dietzen remove two of the show’s most senior surviving agents, while de Pablo’s return introduces a potential leadership figure. Additionally, the network announced the promotion of two set regulars—actresses Katrina Law (Jessica Knight) and Diona Reasonover (Kasie Hines)—to full series regulars, underscoring a generational shift.
Why now? Network executives cited a need to revitalize the show’s narrative after declining ratings, with Season 23 averaging 8.2 million viewers compared to Season 20’s 9.1 million. The announcement follows months of fan campaigns lobbying for de Pablo’s return.
Where does this leave the show? Filming for Season 24 is set to begin in late June at CBS’s Studio Center in Los Angeles, with a premiere date slated for September 2024. No title for the opening episode