NCIS (TV series)
A military police procedural that became the second-longest-running scripted live-action American prime-time series still on the air (as of 2025), behind only *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit*.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
NCIS is an American television series that blends military and police procedural elements, serving as the original entry in the NCIS franchise. The show follows a fictional team of special agents working for the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Its core concept and main characters first appeared in two episodes of the CBS series *JAG* ("Ice Queen" and "Meltdown"), and the series officially launched on CBS on September 23, 2003. Donald P. Bellisario and Don McGill co-created the show, with Steven D. Binder serving as showrunner. By 2025, it ranked as the second-longest-running scripted, live-action American prime-time series still on the air, behind only *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (surpassing the original *Law & Order* in both continuous run and episode count), and the fifth-longest-running scripted American prime-time series overall. As of 2026, NCIS remains in production, but it is not the last scripted show from the Les Moonves era—other series like *The Amazing Race* and *Survivor* continue as well.
The series originally aired under the title *Navy NCIS* for its first season, then changed to *NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service* for season two, and finally to *NCIS* from season three onward. A two-part episode in season six spawned the spin-off *NCIS: Los Angeles*, and another two-part episode in season eleven led to *NCIS: New Orleans*. Early reception was lukewarm, with ratings barely breaking the top 30 in its first two seasons, but the third season showed improvement and consistently ranked in the top 20. In 2011, an online Harris Poll named it "America's favorite television show." By the end of its tenth season, it was the most-watched U.S. television series during the 2012–13 network season. NCIS also broke *Gunsmoke*'s record for the longest-running scripted primetime drama on CBS (though *Gunsmoke* remains the longest-running scripted primetime series overall on the network, with 20 seasons and 635 episodes).
On January 5, 2024, a prequel titled *NCIS: Origins* was announced for the 2024–25 season, and a second spin-off, *NCIS: Tony & Ziva*, was announced on February 28, 2024, as a Paramount+ exclusive. The series was renewed for a 22nd season on April 9, 2024, which premiered on October 14, 2024. In February 2025, it was renewed for a 23rd season, which premiered on October 14, 2025.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Military / Action / Police procedural
- Creator
- Donald P. Bellisario · Don McGill
- Theme Music Composer
- Numeriklab
- Composer
- Brian Kirk · Steven Bramson · Joseph Conlan
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
- Num Seasons
- 23
- Num Episodes
- 507
- List Episodes
- List of NCIS episodes
- Executive Producer
- Donald P. Bellisario · Steven D. Binder · Shane Brennan (2007–2015) · Frank Cardea · Gary Glasberg (2009–2016) · Chas. Floyd Johnson · George Schenck (2011–2018) · Mark Harmon · Mark Horowitz
- Producer
- David Bellisario · Avery C. Drewe
- Location
- Santa Clarita, California
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The series has spawned multiple spin-offs. A two-part episode in season six led to NCIS: Los Angeles, and another two-part episode in season 11 led to NCIS: New Orleans. On January 5, 2024, a prequel, NCIS: Origins, was announced for the 2024–25 season, and a second spin-off, NCIS: Tony & Ziva, was announced on February 28, 2024, as a series exclusive to Paramount+. As of 2026, NCIS remains in production, but it is not the last scripted show from the Les Moonves era—other scripted series like *The Amazing Race* and *Survivor* also continue. The series was renewed for a 22nd season (premiered October 14, 2024), a 23rd season (premiered October 14, 2025), and a 24th season (to premiere October 6, 2026).
Reader's Guide
NCIS holds a significant place in American television history as one of the longest-running scripted prime-time series. Its longevity, spanning over two decades, reflects its consistent popularity and ability to adapt through cast changes and spin-offs. The series originated as a backdoor pilot from JAG and became the foundation of a media franchise that includes NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: New Orleans, and upcoming series NCIS: Origins and NCIS: Tony & Ziva. Its impact is measured by its ratings success, including being voted America's favorite television show in 2011 and becoming the most-watched series in the 2012–13 season. The show also set a record for CBS by surpassing Gunsmoke's run as the network's longest-running scripted primetime series. As of 2026, it remains in production, having aired 507 episodes through its 23rd season.
Did You Know?
- The series originally had the redundant title Navy NCIS, which was later changed to Naval Criminal Investigative Service in season 2 and to NCIS in season 3.
- NCIS surpassed Gunsmoke's record for longest-running scripted primetime television series to air on CBS.
- As of 2026, NCIS is the last scripted show under Les Moonves to continue in production.
- The concept and characters were initially introduced in two episodes of JAG season eight: 'Ice Queen' and 'Meltdown'.
More in Nielsen ratings winners 1-24
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