Last Updated on by Ravi Kumar Raj Kushwaha
NCIS: A Long-Running Procedural That Won’t Rock the Boat (But Keeps You Entertained)
For nearly two decades, NCIS (“Naval Criminal Investigative Service”) has been a mainstay on CBS, following a team of agents who solve crimes involving the Navy and Marine Corps.
The show’s blend of formulaic plots, quirky characters, and military intrigue has won it a dedicated fanbase, making it one of the longest-running scripted series on American television. While NCIS isn’t known for groundbreaking storytelling, it consistently delivers a satisfying dose of action, drama, and humor, perfect for viewers who enjoy a classic procedural format.
What is NCIS About?
Set in Washington D.C., NCIS follows the work of a dedicated team of NCIS agents who investigate criminal cases involving the Navy and Marine Corps. These cases can range from murder and espionage to fraud and terrorism. The show follows a now-familiar procedural format: the team receives a case, investigates the crime scene, gathers evidence, identifies suspects, and ultimately solves the mystery by the end of the episode.
Here’s a table listing the main cast members of “NCIS: Los Angeles,” including their characters, actors, role descriptions, and the seasons they appeared in:
| Character | Actor | Role Description | Seasons |
|---|---|---|---|
| G. Callen | Chris O’Donnell | NCIS Special Agent in Charge | 1-14 |
| Sam Hanna | LL Cool J | NCIS Senior Special Agent | 1-14 |
| Kensi Blye | Daniela Ruah | NCIS Special Agent | 1-14 |
| Marty Deeks | Eric Christian Olsen | LAPD Liaison/NCIS Investigator | 2-14 |
| Henrietta “Hetty” Lange | Linda Hunt | NCIS Supervisory Special Agent/Operations Manager | 1-14 |
| Nell Jones | Renée Felice Smith | NCIS Intelligence Analyst/Acting Operations Manager | 2-12 |
| Eric Beale | Barrett Foa | NCIS Technical Operator | 1-12 |
| Owen Granger | Miguel Ferrer | NCIS Assistant Director | 3-8 |
| Shay Mosley | Nia Long | NCIS Executive Assistant Director | 9-10 |
| Fatima Namazi | Medalion Rahimi | NCIS Special Agent | 10-14 |
| Devin Roundtree | Caleb Castille | NCIS Special Agent | 11-14 |
| Hollace Kilbride | Gerald McRaney | Retired Navy Admiral/NCIS Operations Manager | 6, 8, 12-14 |
Meet the Team: The Core Characters of NCIS
The heart of NCIS is its cast of characters, who have become like family to longtime viewers. Here’s a quick rundown of the main players:
- Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon): The gruff and dedicated leader of the NCIS team. Gibbs is a former Marine with a strict moral compass and a deep respect for the law. He’s a skilled investigator with a knack for getting results.
- Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly): Gibbs’s senior field agent, Tony is a charismatic and often-immature ladies’ man. Despite his lighthearted personality, Tony is a capable investigator with a sharp wit.
- Timothy McGee (Sean Murray): The team’s computer whiz and technical expert. McGee is often the target of DiNozzo’s pranks, but he proves himself to be a valuable asset to the team with his intelligence and technical skills.
- Eleanor Bishop (Cote de Pablo): A brilliant and enigmatic agent with a mysterious past. Bishop is a skilled analyst and a valuable asset to the team.
- Ziva David (Pauley Perrette): A former Mossad officer who joins the NCIS team in later seasons. Ziva is a skilled combatant and interrogator, and she brings a unique perspective to the team.
Here’s a detailed overview of “NCIS: Los Angeles”:
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Genre | Police procedural, Military fiction, Action drama |
| Created by | Shane Brennan |
| Based on | “NCIS” by Donald P. Bellisario, Don McGill |
| Starring | Chris O’Donnell, Peter Cambor, Daniela Ruah, Adam Jamal Craig, Linda Hunt, LL Cool J, Barrett Foa, Eric Christian Olsen, Renée Felice Smith, Miguel Ferrer, Nia Long, Medalion Rahimi, Caleb Castille, Gerald McRaney |
| Theme music composer | James S. Levine |
| Composers | Jay Ferguson, James S. Levine, Craig Dobbin, Adonis Tsilimparis, 2Up In The Club, Martin Davich, Brendan Ryan |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 14 |
| No. of episodes | 323 (list of episodes) |
| Executive producers | Shane Brennan, Kyle Harimoto, Frank Military, John Peter Kousakis, R. Scott Gemmill |
| Cinematography | Victor Hammer, Russell McElhatton (2013) |
| Running time | 42–44 minutes |
| Production companies | R. Scott Gemmill Productions (2016–2023), Shane Brennan Productions, CBS Studios |
| Original release | September 22, 2009 – May 21, 2023 |
| Network | CBS |
Seasons Overview
| Season | Episodes | First Aired | Last Aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24 | Sep 22, 2009 | May 25, 2010 |
| 2 | 24 | Sep 21, 2010 | May 17, 2011 |
| 3 | 24 | Sep 20, 2011 | May 15, 2012 |
| 4 | 24 | Sep 25, 2012 | May 14, 2013 |
| 5 | 24 | Sep 24, 2013 | May 13, 2014 |
| 6 | 24 | Sep 29, 2014 | May 18, 2015 |
| 7 | 24 | Sep 21, 2015 | May 2, 2016 |
| 8 | 24 | Sep 25, 2016 | May 14, 2017 |
| 9 | 24 | Oct 1, 2017 | May 20, 2018 |
| 10 | 24 | Sep 30, 2018 | May 19, 2019 |
| 11 | 22 | Sep 29, 2019 | Apr 26, 2020 |
| 12 | 18 | Nov 8, 2020 | May 23, 2021 |
| 13 | 22 | Oct 10, 2021 | May 22, 2022 |
| 14 | 21 | Oct 9, 2022 | May 21, 2023 |
A Look Back at NCIS’s History
NCIS premiered on CBS in 2003 as a spin-off of the legal drama JAG. The show quickly gained popularity, thanks to its fast-paced action, engaging characters, and unique setting. NCIS has remained a ratings juggernaut throughout its run, even undergoing several cast changes. The show has spawned multiple spin-offs, including NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: New Orleans, and NCIS: Hawai’i.
Where to Watch NCIS
If you’re interested in checking out NCIS, you have several options. The show is currently airing new seasons on CBS. You can also watch older seasons on streaming services like Hulu, Netflix, and Paramount+.
NCIS: A Fun Escape for Procedural Fans
While NCIS may not be the most critically acclaimed show on television, it has carved out a successful niche for itself as a reliable source of entertainment. The show’s formulaic approach may not appeal to everyone, but for fans of classic procedurals, NCIS delivers a satisfying dose of action, drama, and humor. So, if you’re looking for a show that won’t challenge you too much but will keep you entertained, NCIS is definitely worth checking out.
Here are some additional facts about NCIS that you might find interesting:
NCIS has won numerous awards over the years, including People’s Choice Awards and Emmy Awards.
The show has been parodied on numerous occasions, including in The Simpsons and Family Guy.
NCIS has a large and dedicated fanbase, with many fan clubs and conventions devoted to the show.
I hope this blog post has given you a good overview of NCIS. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just curious about the show, I encourage you to give it a try. You might just find yourself hooked!
