NCIS franchise sees viewership surge with return of veteran cast members

The NCIS television franchise has seen a significant increase in viewership following the return of several veteran actors. The Season 24 premiere, which featured the return of Michael Weatherly as Tony DiNozzo, drew 6.45 million viewers, marking a 21% increase year-over-year and becoming the most-watched episode since May 2024.

In the season premiere, DiNozzo returns to Washington, D.C., to establish a new branch for the private security firm Salus Mondiale. During the episode, he sustains a minor injury while attempting to assist his former colleagues with a case involving Mateo, a character who has stolen classified files.

Other franchise expansions also reported growth. The premiere of NCIS: New York, featuring LL Cool J as Sam Hanna, reached 5.62 million viewers, a 53% increase compared to the previous year's programming in that timeslot. Additionally, NCIS: Origins, which features Mark Harmon as Leroy Jethro Gibbs, saw its Season 3 premiere attract 4.39 million viewers, up 20% from its previous season premiere.