NCIS is a hallmark of the crime procedural genre, and since the original show is still running, there are many exciting spinoffs currently in production, like Tony and Ziva’s, and more for the potential future. Due to the ensemble nature of the show, there have been many characters who have come and gone throughout the series. While some main characters left NCIS, many have expressed that they’d be willing to return for the right project to highlight their skills. Returning to the best individuals from the show would be a great way for the franchise to maintain momentum.
Since NCIS has confirmed it’s willing to break out of its mold and explore new formats for its spinoffs, there’s no limit to what the future of NCIS can be.
The Tony and Ziva NCIS spinoff is going to be unlike any other NCIS spinoff because it’s going to shake the procedural format and be a globetrotting adventure more similar to the espionage genre. It’s not the only upcoming spinoff, as NCIS: Origins will focus on the backstory of Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Hamon), the longtime Agent In Charge of his NCIS team. Since NCIS has confirmed it’s willing to break out of its mold and explore new formats for its spinoffs, there’s no limit to what the future of NCIS can be.
10. Alden Parker’s Backstory
Alden Parker (Gary Cole) joined the team in NCIS season 19 after Gibbs decided it was time to retire. Since then, he quickly became a vital part of his unit and proved that NCIS can exist without Gibbs at the helm. While origin stories can easily grow stale and NCIS: Origins follows a similar format, finding out about Parker’s life before he joined his current team would be an intriguing new facet of his character.
Since he was an FBI agent in the past, the show could explore how the agency works.
Additionally, delving into his past would be perfect because it would allow Cole to remain on NCIS while a younger actor plays Parker in the spinoff. It would be important that Parker’s history is significantly different from Gibbs’ in NCIS: Origins, and that this past fits into the NCIS canon. However, there are also many opportunities the writers could take advantage of, including potential crossovers between a young Gibbs and a young Parker. Since he was an FBI agent in the past, the show could explore how the agency works.
9. Ellie Bishop Working Undercover With Odette Malone
For several seasons, fans and characters assumed that Ziva was dead until it was discovered that she was in hiding and working undercover. Part of this was thanks to Ellie Bishop (Emily Wickersham), one of the most resourceful and ingenious characters in the series, who had a past working for the NSA. Thanks to her background in intelligence and quick thinking, it wasn’t long until Bishop was recruited to be part of a larger undercover operation, and she accepted, leading to her departure from the main series.
However, if Ziva can come back from faking her death and working undercover for years, there’s every indication that Bishop should be able to do the same. The Tony and Ziva spinoff has many firsts for NCIS, but a new show featuring Ellie could be the first to expand upon the experience of undercover agents. Counterintelligence and espionage thrillers have never been more popular on TV, and Ellie was such a fantastic character that it would be impossible not to utilize her further.
8. Leon Vance Promoted To The CIA
Playing the boss can be unforgiving work, but Carroll managed to imbue Vance with empathy and strong characterization that earned him a place in the hearts of the characters and audience.
Rocky Carroll has been a standout on NCIS in his role as Leon Vance, the Director of NCIS. While he began as an agent, Vance quickly rose through the ranks and became the man behind the current that the central team had to answer to. Playing the boss can be unforgiving work, but Carroll managed to imbue Vance with empathy and strong characterization that earned him a place in the hearts of the characters and audience. Additionally, some of the tragic parts of his backstory make it easy to root for him.
Though NCIS is part of the military, in many ways the next logical step for Vance would be to advance to a prominent role in the CIA, NSA, or a governmental position in the White House. Vance is adept at handling political machinations and the bureaucracy of being a Director, making him ready to transition into the political side of his career. Additionally, Vance would be drawn to the idea that he could make a difference in the lives of millions and have a platform from which to do good.
7. Tim McGee’s Tech-Focused NCIS Unit
Though they share certain letters, NCIS and CSI couldn’t be more different, and this is best illustrated in how technological work and forensics are treated in each show. Tim McGee (Sean Murray) was a cybersecurity expert before joining NCIS. While his work was valued he wasn’t considered to become a field agent for many years. A large number of fans are hoping that McGee will make an appearance in Tony and Ziva’s spinoff as he was the closest friend of the two characters and often served as their lovable third wheel.
Seeing McGee, Tony, and Ziva reunite would be an emotional moment in the upcoming spinoff, but it begs the question of why McGee doesn’t have a spinoff of his own. He is a popular character, who has proven many times how valuable he is as an individual and a team member. NCIS could reach new heights if they explored new territory and allowed McGee to return to his roots as a technical expert. As the importance of technology increases exponentially with each passing year, McGee is in the perfect position to make a comeback.
6. Jessica Knight & Dr. Jimmy Palmer Leaving Together
Jessica Knight (Katrina Law) might have only recently officially joined the NCIS Major Case Response Team, but she has been entwined with the group and the NCIS family her whole life. After she became part of the main cast it wasn’t long before Dr. Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen) realized how extraordinary she was, and they started a relationship. Relationships between team members can frequently be doomed to a tragic ending, and while no one wants this to happen to Knight and Palmer, the best solution might be for them to start a new life together.
Though their spinoff could easily draw comparisons to Tony & Ziva’s new show, it would have a unique conceit, as Palmer is a medical examiner and has a background in medicine. As of now, Knight and Palmer are the building blocks of the current NCIS main cast, and seeing them go would be a difficult blow to the series. However, in the future, as their relationship grows and they look toward the future, exploring their lives together would be a great continuation of the story.
5. Dr. Ducky’s Backstory
When David McCallum passed on, it was a tragedy for the filmmaking community and the world as a whole. During his time on NCIS, his character, Dr. Donald Mallard AKA Ducky, was the medical examiner for the team for many years, and a close personal friend to Gibbs. In a flashback episode, their time together as young men is depicted, and has inspired the upcoming NCIS: Origins. There are rumors that a young Ducky might appear on the show and provide his much-needed empathetic spirit.
Not only was he part of the British police, but he also served in the Vietnam War, meaning there are a multitude of times and places for his story to be set.
However, it would be even better if he got a show all to himself. This would provide ample opportunity for a joint backstory and allow crossovers between the two shows. Conversely, his series could go back to the beginning of his life in Scotland and have that be a new NCIS setting. Though NCIS had a Ducky tribute episode, it wasn’t enough to truly conclude his character’s arc. Not only was he part of the British police, but he also served in the Vietnam War, meaning there are a multitude of times and places for his story to be set.
4. Kasie Hines In Seattle
Diona Reasonover had the tough job of joining NCIS after Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette) exited the series, but her character, Kasie Hines, is much more than a simple replacement. She’s a strong figure all on her own and has provided excellent LGBTQ+ representation in the story, which broadens the scope of what the series can be. Part of Hines’ defining characteristics is her relationship with her family, as her father’s death takes a significant toll on her when she joins the team.
Additionally, though her family’s medical issues weigh on her, she never lets this interfere with her work. Though she’s been known to dress down a fellow team member when needed, Hines is a deeply kind person. There have been few instances when a forensic specialist became the lead of a spinoff, but Hines has the chops to take it on. Exploring a new port city like Seattle, or somewhere in the Pacific Northwest could reference classic crime shows like Twin Peaks or The X-Files and give Hines a new environment to discover.
3. A Medical Series With Jimmy Palmer
Though Palmer loves his job, and his leaving the show would be unimaginable, it wouldn’t be shocking if he decided that a change was necessary for him and his daughter to keep moving forward.
Palmer has been on the show since season 1, and seeing his character grow and evolve has been an enduring joy throughout the plot. However, his life has not been without hardships as he lost his wife shortly followed by Ducky’s passing, and this hit him very hard as Ducky was his mentor. Raising the daughter he had with his wife alone has been a challenge, but it’s clear he loves her and would do anything for her. Since embarking on his relationship with Knight, he’s found much more joy in his life.
Though Palmer loves his job, and his leaving the show would be unimaginable, it wouldn’t be shocking if he decided that a change was necessary for him and his daughter to keep moving forward. Becoming a medical examiner was a huge step for him, and his love of science runs deep. If he decided to become a doctor and treat the living, it would allow him to prevent death in a way that might be healing for him after all the loss he’s suffered.
2. Nicholas Torres In Panama
Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) has gone through a lot in NCIS, with his father’s recent reappearance after leaving him and his family in Panama many years ago to protect them. However, due to his departure, Nick and his family had to leave Panama and move to Colombia. When his sister moved to the U.S., Nick followed soon after and became part of NCIS, as his sister and brother-in-law were part of the Marines. Though Nick is proud to serve his country, returning to Panama would be a full-circle moment for him and his family.
There’s no doubt that Nick’s family has unfinished business in Panama, considering how quickly they left and the fact that the government was targeting his father. Nick is the kind of man who upholds his values above all else and needs to see through his actions to the end. Returning to Panama with a new NCIS unit, or going alone would fit his character as Nick has learned to adapt to being in a team, but could revert to his old ways of being a lone wolf if he had to.
1. Abby Sciuto In London
Abby Sciuto’s departure from NCIS was devastating for fans and characters alike, as she brought an essential skillset and whimsy to the group that they desperately needed. As a forensic investigator, few live up to the skills and talents of Sciuto, and as a character, she instantly charmed audiences because of her kindness and how her love of gothic aesthetics juxtaposes her happy nature so sharply. When she left the show, it was a shock to everyone, since she was a hallmark of the series, appearing in practically every episode.
The conclusion to her character arc saw her move to London to pay tribute to the man, Clayton Reeves (Duane Henry), who sacrifices his life to save her. Catching up with her and her work in the U.K. would be a great way for the franchise to bring her back and include her in the newest spinoffs, like Tony & Ziva’s. Though anything’s possible, Abby’s return is one of the most unlikely of all the spinoffs, but as she’s still alive and well in the show’s universe, anything’s possible.
