Star Teases Big Changes in NCIS Season 21 Due to Episode Cut!

Wilmer Valderrama recently shed light on how the abbreviated episode count of NCIS Season 21 will affect the long-running series. The show, which debuted on CBS in 2003, centers on the Major Case Response Team in Washington, D.C., and features a star-studded cast including Mark Harmon, Pauley Perrette, and David McCallum, among others. However, the upcoming season, set to premiere on February 12, will only consist of 10 episodes, nearly half of the usual count due to the 2023 strikes.

In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Valderrama hinted at the unique approach Season 21 will take due to its shorter episode count. He suggested that the season will present a more interconnected storyline, with each episode’s details seamlessly leading into the next. Valderrama stated:

“We’re doing 10 episodes… We’ve decided to have a little bit more fun with the new generation of streaming content and really have our show feel like something you have to watch all 10 together. Every time an episode ends, something in that episode is gonna carry over.”

His remarks imply a departure from the show’s typical episodic structure, indicating a shift toward a more serialized narrative where individual episodes are tightly interwoven. While NCIS has previously connected storylines for major events and crossovers with other franchise shows like NCIS: Hawai’i and Los Angeles, it remains uncertain if such collaborations will feature in the upcoming season.

The conclusion of NCIS Season 20 hinted at tension for Valderrama’s character, Torres, seeking vengeance against someone from his past. This unresolved plotline is expected to unfold in Season 21’s premiere. Additionally, the season will pay tribute to the late David McCallum, who portrayed the beloved character Ducky Mallard.

Valderrama’s revelations about the alterations to the show’s structure and approach in Season 21 have piqued the curiosity of devoted fans, heightening anticipation for the new season’s storyline and how each episode will be intricately linked.